to ask why you need to fast for six hrs prior to an ultrasound

[myoriginal3]

Just that

[BoomBoomsCousin]

i've never needed to fast for 6 hours prior to an ultrasound. Are you pregnant? Could it actually be for a gestational diabetes test at the same appointment as your ultrasound (I had to fast for that - though I think it was more than 6 hours)?

[TheClacksAreDown]

What body part is the ultrasound on? I've had various ultrasounds and never needed to fast.

[welshweasel]

Depends what it's for. If they need to look at your gallbladder it needs to be distended. If you eat, your gallbladder will contract and the scan will be useless.

[myoriginal3]

I'm wondering really whether it affects actual scan or whether it's in case you may need treatment afterwards, which I don't anticipate needing.
Plus it will be problematic for me to not eat or drink from tonight basically as apt is at two tomorrow.

[ChickyDuck]

What part of your body is the scan on and what are they looking for?

[DailyFaily]

Depends on which part of your body they're looking at and what they're looking for.

[myoriginal3]

The liver

[Copperdaily]

Is it that big a deal? 6 hours is nothing

[Groovee]

I needed to fast before my gall bladder scan to give them a good look.

[EveOnline2016]

Undigested food can block the sound waves, making it difficult for the technician to get a clear picture.

[myoriginal3]

It will mean fasting from eight in the morning so essentially from when I go to sleep tonight. It will be problematic for me.

[lucyandpoppy123]

I had a liver ultrasound a couple of weeks ago, you don't need to fast from tonight, if your scan is at 2 you only have to stop eating at 8am tomorrow so you can still have breakfast at 7:30ish and then you can still drink plain water right up until the scan.

[LordVoldemortsMissingNose]

I just had an abdo scan this morning and I had to fast for six hours prior, they looked at liver, pancreas, gallbladder all of which would be (more) active if you'd just eaten. Just gives them a clearer picture of what is going on.

[myoriginal3]

No food doesn't bother me. It's nothing to drink.

[myoriginal3]

That's perfect. I don't normally eat in the morning so no food doesn't bother me at all.

[Copperdaily]

You will be fine, I have gone without liquids for 19+ hours before and it's not been an issue

[lucyandpoppy123]

Is there any particular reason why it would be problematic for you e.g diabetes? If there is maybe ring the unit asap in the morning. If not then even fasting from right now until 2pm tomorrow isn't likely to do you harm (assuming no serious pre existing conditions) especially as you can drink water right up until the scan. when I had a procedure back in September I ended up fasting on clear fluids only for 34 hours and I only actually got really hungry towards the end

[myoriginal3]

Thank you all.

[lucyandpoppy123]

Just read update - yep you can drink (small amounts not like galleons or anything) of water right up until the scan. Good luck!

[hazeyjane]

A friend had a gallbladder ultrasound the other day at 2, her last drink and food had to be at 8. It is to do with clarity rather than action needed afterwards. Could you not have something small before 8? Is there a reason you can't eat/drink in the morning?

[myoriginal3]

I'm alcohol dependent. I will be vomiting and wretching and shaking like a leaf without a drink until that time.
I'm getting treatment soon for this before you attack!
My treatment team have advised me not to go into dt territory and I only noticed appointment about an hour ago so not sure what to do.

[candycoatedwaterdrops]

Are you under a crisis team, if so, can you phone them tonight and see what the suggest?

[myoriginal3]

I am but there are no doctors on after five.

[hazeyjane]

I would never attack someone for going through something that any one of us could go through. Sorry if it seemed as though I was probing, I was hoping to come up with a solution.

Good luck tomorrow, myoriginal.

[myoriginal3]

I know mn is a little less than caring about alcoholics as we can be a woeful bunch. Hence the minimal information upfront.
I'll ring the htt.
I don't want to fuck up the scan but similarly I don't want to have a heart attack.