Prep for CT Scan this am (been BUSY, forgot to ask!)

jbug2

Hi, everyone:

I have a CT scan this am at 8:45.  I know there's no eating or drinking anything 4 hours prior to the test.  I'm guessing I should show up an hour prior to the test?  Is there anything else I should be know?

This is my first CT scan followup, I finished my chemo/radiation back in January.  Since January an opportunity came up to purchase some property in another state that has been in my family for about 100 years, and I've been traveling and staying in another state allot ... that's my only excuse for now knowing much about today's test!  I've been so busy, it's taken my mind off this horrible experience of anal cancer and it's treatment!

Any advice on preparing for today's CT scan?  It's exactly 3 hours from now.  Thanks!

mp327

jbug2

My response may be too late, but the only thing I must do before a CT scan (chest, abdomen, pelvis) is drink a bottle of contrast 4-8 hours prior  to my scan.  Then they give me another small bottle just prior to the scan to drink.  If your doctor ordered your scan "with contrast" you would most likely have been given a bottle of Redi-cat barium sulfate to drink.  You should ask the tech about this before they do your scan.  I hope you get all good results!

eihtak

mp327 said:

jbug2

My response may be too late, but the only thing I must do before a CT scan (chest, abdomen, pelvis) is drink a bottle of contrast 4-8 hours prior  to my scan.  Then they give me another small bottle just prior to the scan to drink.  If your doctor ordered your scan "with contrast" you would most likely have been given a bottle of Redi-cat barium sulfate to drink.  You should ask the tech about this before they do your scan.  I hope you get all good results!

Martha....

That is new to me?? I only have to drink the contrast an hour before the scan there at the doctors office. Other than that fasting for 4hrs. I am allergic to the contrast that is injected and have to pre-medicate for 2 days before but thats it.

mp327

eihtak said:

Martha....

That is new to me?? I only have to drink the contrast an hour before the scan there at the doctors office. Other than that fasting for 4hrs. I am allergic to the contrast that is injected and have to pre-medicate for 2 days before but thats it.

eihtak

I've had many CT's and have always had to drink a bottle at home then more right before the scan.  I'm not sure why this would be different.

RoseC

mp327 said:

eihtak

I've had many CT's and have always had to drink a bottle at home then more right before the scan.  I'm not sure why this would be different.

My catscans were done

My catscans were done differently too. I was told to come to the hospital an hour early. They'd give me two bottles of the barium-icky-stuff to drink. They said to drink as much as I could but leave a little in the second bottle. When I went in for the catscan they'd have me take another two or three sips just before the test. The IV contrast (iodine, I think?) was administered about half way through the scan.

eihtak

RoseC said:

My catscans were done

My catscans were done differently too. I was told to come to the hospital an hour early. They'd give me two bottles of the barium-icky-stuff to drink. They said to drink as much as I could but leave a little in the second bottle. When I went in for the catscan they'd have me take another two or three sips just before the test. The IV contrast (iodine, I think?) was administered about half way through the scan.

RoseC...

Thats how mine is done as well, and its the iodine I am allergic to.

lizdeli

eihtak said:

RoseC...

Thats how mine is done as well, and its the iodine I am allergic to.

Scan Prep

I am told not to eat 3 hours prior to scan.  Then I driink two bottles of barium and in between that they put in the iv so that they can inject the iodine.  During the scan I also get a barium enema - how humiliating can this all get - but I'm used to it.

Important to note - there is a new verison of the barium drink which is more like flavored juice.  Much easy to swallow.  They use it at MD Anderson now and I'm sure they do elsewhere.  Ask for it, it is so much better than the chalky crap we have to drink.

 

Good luck!
Liz

jbug2

CT scan yesterday ... thanks for all of the replies!

I had to fast 4 hours prior to the CT scan.  Once I arrived, I was given a container of lemon gatorade flavored stuff to drink in the waiting room (1 cup every 15 minutes until finished).  When my name was called, they tried to insert an IV into my left cubital vein, but there was no "flow" due to the fasting, body fluid levels were low, I guess.  An ER nurse was called, who successfully inserted the IV into the right cubital vein (inner elbow).  I was lead down a hallway, and once in the lying position inside the machine, an injection (I guess iodine?) was given in the IV ... a voice would say "Breath in!  Hold your breath!"  As the machine passed over my body, a slightly uncomfortable warm feeling would occur.  I was told that I would feel like I needed to void, but that never really occurred, I'd gone to the restroom prior ... back in the waiting room, I waited for them to make a CD, which I'm guessing that I'm going to need for the rectal surgeon's appointment in a few weeks.  I was told if I don't receive a phone call with the results within 24 hours, I'd find out the results at my medical oncologist's appointment on the 28th. 

Barb5454

jbug2 said:

CT scan yesterday ... thanks for all of the replies!

I had to fast 4 hours prior to the CT scan.  Once I arrived, I was given a container of lemon gatorade flavored stuff to drink in the waiting room (1 cup every 15 minutes until finished).  When my name was called, they tried to insert an IV into my left cubital vein, but there was no "flow" due to the fasting, body fluid levels were low, I guess.  An ER nurse was called, who successfully inserted the IV into the right cubital vein (inner elbow).  I was lead down a hallway, and once in the lying position inside the machine, an injection (I guess iodine?) was given in the IV ... a voice would say "Breath in!  Hold your breath!"  As the machine passed over my body, a slightly uncomfortable warm feeling would occur.  I was told that I would feel like I needed to void, but that never really occurred, I'd gone to the restroom prior ... back in the waiting room, I waited for them to make a CD, which I'm guessing that I'm going to need for the rectal surgeon's appointment in a few weeks.  I was told if I don't receive a phone call with the results within 24 hours, I'd find out the results at my medical oncologist's appointment on the 28th. 

jbug2

I had the same experience as you. They had a heck of a time getting a vein. I'm sure everything will be "all good". I found out my results in less than a week. Mine was NED! I'm sure yours will be too! Hugs

 

horsepad

I go to cleveland clinic. 

I go to cleveland clinic.  Had CT scans every 3 months for the last 2 yrs.  I drink large container at hospital one hour prior to scan.  No eating for 4 hours prior.  Get the results within an hour of scan from oncologist.  Praying you'll get NED results!

horsepad

I go to cleveland clinic. 

I go to cleveland clinic.  Had CT scans every 3 months for the last 2 yrs.  I drink large container at hospital one hour prior to scan.  No eating for 4 hours prior.  Get the results within an hour of scan from oncologist.  Praying you'll get NED results!

mp327

jbug2 said:

CT scan yesterday ... thanks for all of the replies!

I had to fast 4 hours prior to the CT scan.  Once I arrived, I was given a container of lemon gatorade flavored stuff to drink in the waiting room (1 cup every 15 minutes until finished).  When my name was called, they tried to insert an IV into my left cubital vein, but there was no "flow" due to the fasting, body fluid levels were low, I guess.  An ER nurse was called, who successfully inserted the IV into the right cubital vein (inner elbow).  I was lead down a hallway, and once in the lying position inside the machine, an injection (I guess iodine?) was given in the IV ... a voice would say "Breath in!  Hold your breath!"  As the machine passed over my body, a slightly uncomfortable warm feeling would occur.  I was told that I would feel like I needed to void, but that never really occurred, I'd gone to the restroom prior ... back in the waiting room, I waited for them to make a CD, which I'm guessing that I'm going to need for the rectal surgeon's appointment in a few weeks.  I was told if I don't receive a phone call with the results within 24 hours, I'd find out the results at my medical oncologist's appointment on the 28th. 

jbug2

Here's hoping you will get the best possible news on your results on the 28th.

K8M

CAT Scan

I have mine tomorrow (10:00 UK Time) - Pelvic, Abdomen & Chest.

I had to drink 1/3 bottle with breakfast, lunch (2 down) and one with dinner (one dose to go!).

I had read a lot of negative comments about the taste but it has been fine. I took tips from the internet which were to keep the bottle in the fridge and mix with fridge-cold water and then use straws so that it goes straight to the back of your throat to swallow.

You will may another drink before you go in (this may just be for the higher up chest / abdo area though, so you may not have this depending on scans orderd) and will have to wait around for it to be partially digested

From the information provided to me and other research. You get given an iodine injection to help with the contrasting.

My form says the whole thing takes an hour, so I think I will be in the scanner 15-30 mins.

It's my first time too but I'm told it is not noisy or chlostrophobic.

Best of luck with your results.

jbug2

horsepad said:

I go to cleveland clinic. 

I go to cleveland clinic.  Had CT scans every 3 months for the last 2 yrs.  I drink large container at hospital one hour prior to scan.  No eating for 4 hours prior.  Get the results within an hour of scan from oncologist.  Praying you'll get NED results!

CT scan: I go to CC too

Hi, horsepad!  I go to CC, too.

My June 17, 2013 CT scan showed "nothing".  I see the doctors in 4 months again, and if no symptoms, will have the next CT scan in a year. 

mp327

jbug2 said:

CT scan: I go to CC too

Hi, horsepad!  I go to CC, too.

My June 17, 2013 CT scan showed "nothing".  I see the doctors in 4 months again, and if no symptoms, will have the next CT scan in a year. 

jbug2

Congratulations on getting great results on your scan!  I hope you have a great year until the next one!

jbug2

mp327 said:

jbug2

Congratulations on getting great results on your scan!  I hope you have a great year until the next one!

CT scan an hour after finishing solution (does it matter?)

Thanks, mp327.  After they had me drink the solution, I was scheduled for the CT scan within the next 10 minutes, but it was actually nearly an hour before they did the scan.  Does anyone know if the hour long wait after drinking the solution would make a difference in the results?

mp327

jbug2 said:

CT scan an hour after finishing solution (does it matter?)

Thanks, mp327.  After they had me drink the solution, I was scheduled for the CT scan within the next 10 minutes, but it was actually nearly an hour before they did the scan.  Does anyone know if the hour long wait after drinking the solution would make a difference in the results?

jbug2

I seriously doubt it.  The instructions on the bottle of contrast I always get say to drink it anywhere from 4 to 8 hours prior to the scan.  That's a pretty wide window.  I think you're in good shape!