Lexiscan and Headaches: What Users Say

• Sca...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 31, 2020

For Diagnosis and Investigation "My Dr. ordered this for pre-op testing. I had never heard of it, so I explored it online. After reading the side effects and patient testimonials, I was petrified to have it done! I just thought I was going to die. I had the test this morning. After the injection, I waited for all of the side effects to hit! Very minimal. Mild shortness of breath. Slight headache and some shoulder pain. I realize everyone is different, but if your Dr. orders this for you, it's not as bad as you're going to imagine it to be. I should also say I have a panic disorder. My body overreacts to anything out of the norm."

• Ano...
• September 9, 2020

For Diagnosis and Investigation "I had a Lexiscan scan this morning and wanted to share my experience since this is where I looked for other patient experiences. I was expecting the worst, and it ended up being super easy. I stressed myself out and lost sleep over this test for no reason. They told me it would last 4 minutes, but it felt like it was less than that. At first, I noticed my legs felt weird, and I felt a couple of seconds of very mild chest discomfort, followed by a headache (which disappeared after they gave me coffee). I hope this review helps someone out. I know I found comfort in reading about people who didn’t experience extreme side effects. It was not bad at all! Please don’t stress over it."

• Anonymous
• February 18, 2021

For Diagnosis and Investigation "Scary... extreme and rapid shortness of breath... bad headache that went behind eyes and towards the end of the test, nausea. Would never agree to this test again. Cannot believe this is appropriate or safe for anyone like me who has had a STEMI and coronary artery disease. Also, shouldn't BP be monitored several times throughout the test?"

• Anonymous
• May 17, 2012

For Diagnosis and Investigation "I had this test today. I did feel somewhat dizzy and flushed, but for only a couple of seconds. I did get a headache that did not go away, so they gave me the antidote and it went away almost right away. It was not as bad as I had expected. The only thing I am wondering about is later in the day I became very nauseated. Not sure if this was from the medicine."

• And...
• June 22, 2018

For Radionuclide Myocardial Perfusion Study "The assistants are not RNs. They believed the 1/2 life is 15 seconds. Online info is good, but education about this is non-existent before the test. No reversal agent used. I think it should be mandatory. Still have headache and tired eyes, 3 hrs. after."

• Ang...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 3, 2019

For Diagnosis and Investigation "When the Lexiscan was injected in the IV on Oct. 1, 2019, immediately the adverse reactions started with shortness of breath, nausea, headache, tightness, jaw pain, and stiffness, as well as dizziness. Upon rising up, a nitro was administered, but still could not eat anything afterward, but did intake liquids (Sprite) to help nausea. This was definitely a cakewalk compared to 2018, which the Lexiscan helped indicate my 95% blockage. I think if Lexiscan helps any cardiologist save a life, then the minor adverse reactions are worth it."

• Anonymous
• July 13, 2021

For Diagnosis and Investigation "I had Lexiscan inside an MRI scanner. I am claustrophobic and was worried the drug would make me freak out in the tube. I also worried that it might trigger my v tach or make me dizzy, as I am prone to hypotension and have previously required atropine on three occasions. However, the effects were mild and tolerable. Within ten seconds of receiving the drug, I felt as though I had just walked up some flights of stairs. My heart rate raised, and I was slightly breathless... but not in a suffocating way. I had very slight lightheadedness lasting a few seconds. The shortness of breath resolved within about 60 seconds, and my heart rate gradually came down to normal over 4 minutes. The shortness of breath was not distressing - I was able to hold my breath for the scan less than a minute after receiving the drug. My heart rate went from 50 to 110 with the drug, but that felt okay... as though I had exerted myself. I felt normal within 4 minutes apart from a slight headache."

• Mar...
• August 30, 2024

For Diagnosis and Investigation "I was afraid to do this test. I felt no warmth from the tracer. I felt a couple seconds of head rush with some strange zapping pains in my back, and that was it. Slight headache, but they gave me a cup of coffee, and it got better. Now I feel silly worrying about the test. It was really no big deal."

• Mae...
• October 21, 2021

For Diagnosis and Investigation "I was very stressed for my Echo and Lexiscan, but I had both this morning, and I had a little shortness of breath, facial redness, headache, nausea, but they gave me meds that made me feel better 15 to 20 minutes later. Everything went fine, less than I had expected, surrounded by staff that were with me every step of the way. Nothing to it. Easy."

• Anonymous
• May 19, 2023

For Diagnosis and Investigation "I was very stressed over getting this test done. I had the Lexi/chemical (don't know the name), no treadmill. It was easier than I thought. The only problem I had, which could have been because I'm claustrophobic, is feeling dizzy after the machine took the pictures. When they injected the stuff that was supposed to raise my heart rate, I barely felt anything, actually talked to nurses while it was going in. I only felt a little heaviness in my chest that went away in seconds. If you are nervous like I was, don't be. At least my experience was mild. Slight headache and a little heaviness in my chest. Then I ate something and had some coffee. I took more pictures after, then I went home. Pretty easy honestly. Only took about 2-2 1/2 hours."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2025

"I needed this test to determine if I was healthy enough to withstand a transplant surgery. They injected the medicine, and I was told to kick my legs. I immediately felt anxiety and almost like I was going to faint (to be fair, I do struggle with anxiety). There was a nurse by my side telling me to just breathe and that it was almost over. Afterwards, I was fine, had a little headache, but they weren't letting me have any caffeine (including chocolate). They gave me some animal crackers, and I had some scans and went home."

• Anonymous
• December 2, 2010

For Diagnosis and Investigation "I had a stress test done. The medicine does what it says it does. The only side effect I had was a headache."

• Jes...
• April 29, 2025

For Diagnosis and Investigation "Full body heaviness, dizziness, slight headache, and unbelievable rush of nausea."