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Home > Defective Drugs > Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) >Gadolinium and NSF/NFD
Gadolinium and NSF/NFD Lawyers
Accepting Cases Nationwide
NSF/NFD (nephrogenic systemic fibrosis or nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy) was first discovered in 1997. It is a condition which involves hardening of the skin, resulting in varying degrees of immobility, can damage internal organs, and is sometimes fatal. It is caused by gadolinium, used in MRI’s and MRA’s, and so far, appears to affect only those with impaired renal function caused by kidney disease. NSF/NFD is resistant to treatment and can be very painful and debilitating. Most importantly, NSF/NFD is entirely preventable.
Click to read the report done by Mike TeSelle, KCRA 3, Sacramento, CA:
"Some Kidney Patients Suffer MRI Poisoning
– Dye Containing Gadolinium Blamed For Problems"
Click to view our video about "Gadolinium Dyes"
Click to view our video about "Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis"
View our NSF brochure for more information
Gadolinium
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) are medical tests with which you may be familiar. In order to make the results of these tests more visible and therefore more easily interpreted, a contrast agent is injected into your body prior to administering the test. A contrast agent is a dye. Iodine-based contrast agents have been used for years, but are known to cause acute renal failure. Gadolinium-based contrast agents were thought to be safer, but so far about 400 people have reported developing NSF/NFD after using gadolinium-based contrast agents.
After these tests, gadolinium is removed from your body by your kidneys. It is a very toxic substance. When your kidneys are not functioning properly, gadolinium is allowed to remain in your body and do serious harm.
NSF/NFD Symptoms
After the use of gadolinium, it can take days, weeks, or sometimes months to develop symptoms of NSF/NFD. Rapid and full progression of the disease can be fatal. If you experience any of the symptoms of NSF/NFD after and MRI or MRA, you should seek immediate medical attention, and get tested for the disease. Symptoms include:
- Tightening and swelling of the skin, typically starting with the legs, moving to the arms, and sometimes the trunk
- Thickening of the skin around the joints, restricting movement
- Skin which feels “woody” and has a texture similar to that of an orange peel
- Red or dark patches of skin
- Burning, itching, and/or sharp pains in affected areas
- Fluctuating hypertension preceding the appearance of skin lesions
- Symmetrical skin lesions, commonly on the ankles and thighs and between the wrists and upper arms
- Muscle weakness
- Deep bone pain in the hips and ribs
- Calcification of soft tissues
- Yellow plaques near the eyes
At this time there is little awareness of NSF/NFD, even among doctors. If your doctor is resistant to testing for the condition, waste no time in finding another doctor. Your best chance of survival and recovery is early detection and immediate treatment.
NSF/NFD treatment
There is no cure for NSF/NFD, at this time. Successful treatment is rare, and the effectiveness of different treatment options is very inconsistent. In some patients the progression of the disease can be halted, and in a few symptoms are actually reversed. Potential treatment options include:
- Improving renal function – so far the most helpful form of treatment, this can slow or halt the progression of NSF/NFD. It sometimes means having a kidney transplant.
- Physical therapy
- Oral steroids
- Ultraviolet therapy
- Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP)
- Topical Dovonex
- Plasmapheresis
- Pentoxifylline (PXF)
- Plaquenil
- Thalidomide
Most of these treatment options have serious side effects, especially when used for long periods of time. Physical therapy is the safest treatment option, and is recommended for all NSF/NFD patients, but in most provides limited improvement, if any at all. Each person seems to respond differently. It is hard to predict which treatments will be the most helpful to which patients.
If you notice some of the symptoms of NSF after having an MRI or MRA, we strongly advise you to contact your physician for an examination which may involve a skin biopsy. If you are diagnosed with NSF, you should contact an attorney with experience handling NSF lawsuits. Burg Simpson is here to help you. We represent NSF/NFD victims on a contingency basis, which means that we are paid only if we bring about a recovery for you. We have already retained national experts in assist us with NSF/NFD lawsuits. Contact us now to schedule your free confidential consultation with our NSF attorneys.
Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF)
The Little-Known Debilitating and Deadly Danger of MRIs
Frequently Asked Questions About
Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) Lawsuits
For more information about this topic read "Gadolinium detected in NSF patients body tissues" written by John M. Restaino, Jr., DPM, J.D.
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