NPCER anyone had a CT scan?

[ttt]

I'm supposed to have a CT scan tomorrow, and I'm nervous about the whole IV thing (needles and I do not get along, and the last time I had a shot, I passed out cold in the office). I've heard the stuff they give you in the IV makes you feel weird too. 

Can anyone share their experience/knowledge? 

[redheadbaker]

I've had several CT scans. I don't know exactly what stuff you're getting in the IV, but the stuff they gave me made me feel warm in the groin area, like I had to pee.

[heyjude]

Is the donut or the full body scan? I've had the donut not the full body. Good luck!!

[ttt]

Jul 23, 2014 14:37:16 GMT -5 heyjude said:

Is the donut or the full body scan? I've had the donut not the full body. Good luck!!

I'm not sure. They're looking at my chest, so I'm guessing not a full body scan. 

[pixy0stix]

You'll feel like you need to pee, but you won't actually pee yourself. You'll do fine.

[ttt]

Thanks everyone!! I'm mostly scared of the IV because I am a huge, huge wimp when it comes to needles

[NewOrleans]

I had one (with contrast) in November when I thought that what was later dx'd as a hernia was actually a cancerous mass.

It seriously was n.o.t.h.i.n.g. The barium potion I had to drink in advance was yucky, but not the worst thing in the world. I don't mind needles/IV's in the least anyway, although that might have made the experience worse if I did mind them, I suppose. The stuff did make my body feel weird. It made it feel very warm. The tech warned me that it was going to feel like I had peed my pants but that she promised I wasn't actually doing so. It felt strange and foreign but not uncomfortable at all. It was also very quick. It couldn't have taken more than 10 minutes and probably took much less.

Honestly, the worst part for me was that I was so scared about what they were going to tell me about the results. That's what I was scared of. The procedure was not uncomfortable or frightening at all.

I hope all is well for you.

eta: I had the donut scanner.

[emilyj]

It's really quick. The stuff they put in your IV will make you feel really warm, and it will make you feel like you have just peed all over yourself, but a) you didn't and b) it lasts less than a minute. It's no big deal at all, you'll be fine!

[redheadbaker]

Jul 23, 2014 14:40:20 GMT -5 ttt said:

Jul 23, 2014 14:37:16 GMT -5 heyjude said:

Is the donut or the full body scan? I've had the donut not the full body. Good luck!!

I'm not sure. They're looking at my chest, so I'm guessing not a full body scan. 

All mine were of my lungs. It's over really quick. 

[redheadbaker]

Jul 23, 2014 14:41:09 GMT -5 ttt said:

Thanks everyone!! I'm mostly scared of the IV because I am a huge, huge wimp when it comes to needles

I am, too. Hugs. 

[NewOrleans]

Jul 23, 2014 14:41:09 GMT -5 ttt said:

Thanks everyone!! I'm mostly scared of the IV because I am a huge, huge wimp when it comes to needles

Tell them that ahead of time and they can treat you with kid gloves and also ask you distracting questions.

I always tell the dental hygienist about my mortal terror of getting my teeth cleaned, and they are always totally distracting to me and let me chatter, too.

[heyjude]

Jul 23, 2014 14:40:20 GMT -5 ttt said:

Jul 23, 2014 14:37:16 GMT -5 heyjude said:

Is the donut or the full body scan? I've had the donut not the full body. Good luck!!

I'm not sure. They're looking at my chest, so I'm guessing not a full body scan. 

I don't remember an IV (I've had it twice but the second time I was completely on death's door because unbeknownst to anyone my appendix burst so I already had an IV in). The first time was more routine/not scary and I think they just gave me the drink.

[tres3]

I had the chest one. I do remember the burning sensations and feeling panicky.

[NewOrleans]

oh, also-- IIRC-- she said I was going to taste copper in my mouth. Or am I making that up? I think I remember that.

[Scout'sHonor]

Other than the pee-feeling others mentioned, my mouth filled up with saliva and almost made me choke. Luckily it is very quick. I had just come from a PET scan and was still starving, which might have been part of the problem.

[katfco]

I had a chest scan when I was 19, so it was the donut and I remember the weird taste in my mouth and the heaviness, especially in the groin. I have bad veins, so they did have to put it in my hand, and that was a little uncomfortable, but it was pretty fast.

I hope it all goes well and you get good results.

[cattledogkisses]

Whatever happens, it can't be more embarrassing than the time that they put the IV in my arm and sent me back to the waiting room to wait my turn, where I promptly passed out in front of everyone there. And of course the male nurse who came and scooped me up off the floor and brought me ginger ale was totally gorgeous. I don't think my dignity has ever recovered.

[Deleted]

Do you have to drink contrast too or is it just IV?

If you have to drink too, ask if you can have Gastrografin instead of the barium shake. It's much easier to stomach (they mix it into crystal light for DH).

If you have to have barium, make sure it's not banana flavor.

[redheadbaker]

Jul 23, 2014 14:49:57 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

oh, also-- IIRC-- she said I was going to taste copper in my mouth. Or am I making that up? I think I remember that.

No, now that you mention it, I remember tasting metal in my mouth, too.

[pescalita]

I've not had a CT scan, but I did almost pass out when they put my IV in in labor with A. My best advice is just to be an oversharer about your past experience, like pp said they will treat you with kid gloves. Keep letting them know how you feel even if it seems minor/inconsequential and they can help.

[xokell2]

For a chest ct with contrast they usually have to put the IV at the fold of your arm where you're elbow bends. It's over super quick. I never really felt the strange contrast sensations but I was also not paying that close attention.

[kme]

Don't be nervous. After it you'll be like "oh that wasn't so bad."


The CT scanner is like a big donut. It's a lot less claustrophobic than an MRI machine. Outside the hole is the table you'll lay on. The table will then move you through thru donut hole and they'll ask you to take a deep breath and hold it, then "breath". The whole movement through the scanner takes about 5 secs and then you're back out of the hole. Their put contrast through you're IV. Like others have stated you'll feel a sensation of warmth nut other side effects differ from person to person (some taste copper, some feel giddy, etch). The warmth will last only a few minutes. You'll then go through the same process again. You'll come out, get up, they'll take put your IV and you go home.

Good luck!

[alleinesein]

I've had 2 CT scans and neither one involved an IV for contrast. Both of mine were of my head and they do lock your head into a cage like contraption to keep you from moving it.

[sushi]

How did it go?

[ttt]

Jul 23, 2014 23:21:33 GMT -5 sushi said:

How did it go?

It's today so I'll let you know!

Thanks so much everyone!!