CT scan...what to expect??

ooobedoo

I am having a CT scan next Saturday for nasal problems, it says on the letter that they need to know if on metformin as I am, any ideas why?

chuckley

thought about contacting them telling them?? im sure the letter they sent u with ur appointments also includes any other details which require 'immediate phone contact'.

Sugar_Coated_Owl

It's to do with the dye that is used. It can cause problems with the kidneys.

ooobedoo

Thanks for the response, I only got the letter toay, opened this evening so will contact them on Monday, just wondered if any of you had experienced it.

I have never had a medical appointmet on a Saturday, they must be catching up, I only had the appointment on Thursday...

AnnieH

I have had 2 CT scans, so can tell you what that's like, (if you want) but I don't know about the drug you're taking.

ooobedoo

annie, that would be great, I am also concerned about thespeed that they are seeing me

AnnieH

Hi oobedoo. Do you kn ow what it is they want to scan you for? Is it really quick? Which hospital is it?

When I had mine I was an inpatient and had to be nil by mouth until I had it done. Don't know if it will be the same for you. Are you going as an outpatient?

I had to have them for looking in my pelvis. 1st time was because I'd just had an operation and it had all ruptured inside and I had to go back to theatre. The 2nd one was because I had an infection collecting there a few weeks after my operation, and had to go back under for a third time.

About an hour before your scan they give you a litre of this really nasty tasting fluid which you have to drink as much of as you possibly can. This helps your insides to glow up on the scan. Mind you if they are scanning your nasal area, they might not do this, but they could possibly give you an injection or squirt something up your nose.

When you do in to the scanning room, they are really lovely cos they know that a lot of people are scared about having it.

The machine is quite big but not liike a tunnel - just a huge circle with a bed next to it. You get on the bed, and they connect you up to a drip. Then everyone goes out the room. and they talk to you over a tannoy thing.

Then they start the drip which gives you like a warm sensation all over your body - it's really weird, but it doesn't hurt. Then they give you instructions as the machine starts.

the bed goes through the circle and back again as amny times as they think is mecessary. It's tight but as it's not a tunnel it's not claustrophobic (sp?) Yo have to be really still and hold your breath but it's over quite quickly.

I hope I've been some help, but please don't be worried. When is it you have to go?

Savvy_Sue

On the CT scans I had the 'halo' was quite big? And it's really quick and quiet and easy compared with MRI ...

But do phone the scanning place, they are there to answer questions.

Valley's_girl

I had one on my chest and lungs there really isn't nothing do it, I would prefer to have a ct compared to an mri anyday. So don't worry, if it is any help I had my appointment within ten days, there probably isn't such a long waiting list now.
Let us know how you get on.
Ally x

SoozyJ22

I've had two CT scans of my chest, neither with the dye as it would have interfered with other treatment I had to have. That made the process very quick - the first one I didn't even have to be nil by mouth first. As people have said it's very easy and not claustrophobic at all.

AnnieH

i don't think the dye is that important, as i chucked it all back before i went in LOL!