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AIBU?

To not have a CT scan?

21 replies

lavenderbongo · 14/09/2015 05:23

For the last month I have been having to go to the loo every two hours (wee only). I can last longer but the urgency is there and very difficult to ignore, and it is really pissing me off!

I have had urine tests (no infection) and an ultrasound which found nothing wierd. However I have blood in my urine - not enough that you can see, just enough to appear when tested.

I have now been advised to go for a CT scan. I live abroad and although I have health insurance they wont pay for the scan unless it leads to surgery. It will cost over $1000. My father has apparently had blood in his urine for 35years and is in good health. I would really like to ignore this now and save the money for something more fun.

However i am also aware that thry might find something important. Its just such a lot of money! What would you do?

OP posts:

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monkeysox · 14/09/2015 06:11

Yabu get checked out

KidnappedByPenguins · 14/09/2015 06:32

I'm in a bit the same situation when I have to decide about health stuff. First questions I would be asking is what would be the treatment if I don't have the scan? What would be the treatment if I do have the scan? If they are the same then I wouldn't be having the scan. (I had this with X-ray for suspect d lung inflammation. ) What information are they hoping the scan will provide? Will it be just a snapshot of 'that's what it's like right now, but tomorrow it could be different.' Or could it show longer term issues (damage etc)? Will you need a follow up scan?

Why are they wanting you to have the scan and why are the insurance not covering it?

NashvilleQueen · 14/09/2015 06:35

Needing to wee all the time was the symptom which eventually made to me go to a Dr in January of this year. I ended up having a total abdominal hysterectomy and removal of an enormous cyst. I would urge you to have this checked out.

lavenderbongo · 14/09/2015 06:46

Kidnapped - thanks they are all good points and questions to ask.

Nashville - that is quite scary! I hope you are okay now.

Insurance wont cover it unless it leads to surgery. I clearly didnt read up enough of what our insurance plan covers. Growing up in the UK meant I was a bit clueless when sorting out health insurance. NZ also has the ACC which covers emergency health care, so I was lulled into a false sense of security!

Thank you for chatting to me about this. Feeling a bit odd about the whole thing as Ive always been lucky enough to be in great health. Dont really feel ill apart from needing the loo, being tired and rather emotional! Cant really talk to anyone in real life as I feel a bit of a fraud as Im not really ill!

OP posts:

Skiptonlass · 14/09/2015 07:42

Honestly, I'd have the scan. But before that I'd talk to the doc and ask the questions penguin raises above - the doc obviously hasn't communicated why they want this (and there will be a reason!)

You could have tiny kidney stones, which wouldn't be a big issue, but the scan can also rule out the rather more unpleasant reasons such as a tumour on the kidney, or something else pressing on and irritating the kidney (diverticulosis, cysts etc.)

It's one of those scenarios where you need to rule out the nasty stuff before you can say 'well, you're fine.'

It is a lot of money, but with your health, you don't gamble, in my opinion. If there is something that needs attention, it'll be best to catch it early. If there's nothing, you can stop worrying. The fact that you're tired and peeing every 2 hours is a sign you need to have it looked at.

GudrunBrangwen · 14/09/2015 07:56

Are you more thirsty as well?

Minisoksmakehardwork · 14/09/2015 08:04

What do they class as surgery? Cutting you open or less invasive exploratory ops?

Dh had kidney stones which showed up on a ct scan. But he had to be taken by ambulance to hospital as the little niggles like you have, he'd not worried about until he got absolutely crippling pain and couldn't stand, let alone easily tolerate the slow drive we'd already done to minor ailments and injuries. They took him by ambulance as he needed painkillers to move by then. Admittedly, he didn't have the ct scan until he got admitted after that trip as he thought his trips to the loo and so on were just one of those things.

However, they did 'operate' - put a tiny camera up and ultrasound (I think) to break the stones up so they could be passed more easily.

CerseiLannistersEyebrow · 14/09/2015 08:09

My friend had similar symptoms and I don't mean to scare you, but she had bladder cancer. Go get the scan.

PurpleDaisies · 14/09/2015 08:14

The trouble is there are lots of non worrying causeses of blood in your urine but there are some very serious ones that need treating ASAP. Would you want to damage your chances of surviving if you did turn out to have a nasty cause rather than a benign one? It is a lot of money but if it were me I'd be booking in for the scan as soon as they'd have me.

lavenderbongo · 14/09/2015 09:01

Thanks all. I have already booked in the scan for Thursday. Just feeling a bit sick about the amount of money it will cost!

Has anyone had a CT scan and can tell me what it involves?

OP posts:

Makeminered · 14/09/2015 09:20

You drink lots of a special liquid then lay in a machine. It's very quick, you may have a warm sensation between you legs like you are wetting yourself and then it's over. Nothing to worry about in itself, it's just the worrying about what they may find - which in the UK is at a different appointment.

sashh · 14/09/2015 09:35

Has anyone had a CT scan and can tell me what it involves?

I think it depends on what they are scanning and why.

I've had two. My symptoms were a mixed bag of abdo and gynae, one was elective the other after emergency admission.

Both involved me laying on a bed while a big polo type thing moved round me.

For one they, er, well they basically blew air up my bum to 'inflate' and they also used contrast which I had an allergic reaction to, nothing dramatic, I just needed antihistamines.

YellowDinosaur · 14/09/2015 09:46

Glad you are going for the scan.

As previous posters have said you may need to be given contrast of some description but how this is given will depend on what they are looking for. Some scans don't require it at all. If it is necessary it may need to be given intravenously (through a drip in your arm), orally (with a drink, usually quite a large volume) or rectally (speaks for itself, sometime they also use air like a previous poster described)

The actual scan is pretty quick. You will be in a room on your own. They will give instructions to you to take a breath in and hold it, and the trolley you are lying on will moved through the scanner (as described by a previous poster as a large polo mint). They may do this more than once.

They may also do scans before and after giving you contrast.

Results will probably be at a later appointment.

Good luck.

NashvilleQueen · 14/09/2015 17:57

I had both a CT and MRI scan. The CT one takes much less time and doesn't make you feel claustrophobic. Glad you're going for scan. Thanks for concern, I'm fighting fit again now.

Battleshiphips2 · 14/09/2015 18:06

One ct scan was an injection the other was through a drip. I know it's a lot of money but it's worth it. You go through a polo shaped machine. The contrast stuff does make you feel like you're weeing yourself. I would imagine as yours is bladder it'll probably be oral. Mine was for blood clots hence intravenous.

BottleBeach · 14/09/2015 19:07

Hearing about people who have to make this sort of decision makes me feel so grateful for the NHS.

BottleBeach · 14/09/2015 19:08

I hope your scan goes well OP, and it turns out to be nothing to worry about.

Ilovefluffysheep · 14/09/2015 19:51

You will feel like you've wet yourself, it's very weird! You may come over unbearably hot (doesn't last long) and you may get a funny metallic taste in your mouth.

Just to warn you!

lavenderbongo · 17/09/2015 08:01

Just wanted to update. I've had the scan and you were right it is a very wierd sensation and did really feel like I'd wet myself. Very disconcerting :)

I'll get the results early next week. Just relieved today is over!

OP posts:

Bunbaker · 17/09/2015 08:14

I'm glad you took the advice. I hope they don't find anything untoward.

Grapejuicerocks · 17/09/2015 08:17

Fingers crossed everything is ok for you

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