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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Worrying about CT scan tomorrow what to expect

18 replies

cultkid · 29/10/2023 15:26

I've been referred on a 2ww
I am really nervous
If they find anything would they tell me then and there or will I have to wait for my GP

Thanks

Also how long might it take to do chest abdo and pelvis

OP posts:

Pottedpalm · 29/10/2023 15:29

They won’t yell you anything, in my experience. Results will go to whoever asked for the scan.

bailey999 · 29/10/2023 15:39

The Radiographers won't tell you the results but if there is something wrong the Dr will be in touch very quickly.

The scan is very quick (a few minutes) and it's not noisy or claustrophobic like an MRI. You will probably be given a cannula and some iodine dye which is injected during the scan. You may also be given some breathing instructions.

Good luck! I hope all will be well.

AnnaMagnani · 29/10/2023 15:40

They won't tell you anything on the day.

The longer it goes afterwards without you hearing, generally the more likely it is to be good news.

TheGoogleMum · 29/10/2023 15:45

The staff who run the CT (radiographers) can't tell you what's on the CT, the doctor has to review it (sometimes things look unusual to a radiographer but the doctor knows it's fine). The CT itself is easy you don't feel anything

dankfarrik · 29/10/2023 16:16

I agree CT is ok. You just have to lie still for a bit. Your results will come via your doctor and agree that if it’s good news you’ll be kept waiting longer. Try not to panic.

Paperbagsaremine · 29/10/2023 16:20

If it helps, remember that having the scan doesn't change the facts about the state of your body.
The odds are that whatever is going on inside you, whether that be something or nothing, the scan is likely to be a good thing, because either it will help inform and improve treatment for a problem that would be there scan or no scan, or, it will give you peace of mind.

MumofLandD · 29/10/2023 16:58

Hi Radiographer here! Try not to worry- you won't be told any results tomorrow by the radiographers.
You will likely have a cannula put into your arm and be asked a set of questions about allergies, etc. The actual.scan takes less than 5 minutes and you given some contrast dye though the cannula halfway through the scan. It will.make you feel hot and it can make you feel.like you are emptying your bladder.
You'll go through the scanner 2 or 3 times very quickly and will be asked to hold.your breath briefly.
Most departments ask you to wait 10.mins after the scan before you go.
You'll be fine x

DilemmaDelilah · 29/10/2023 17:08

I had a the same scan a few months ago - it really isn't any big deal - or It wasn't for me anyway. I get claustrophobic and you are not totally enclosed, I just kept my eyes shut so I wasn't aware of how close, or not, the machine was to me. The room will be very cool and there is excellent air flow around your face, so that really helped for me. The table is a bit uncomfortable but it's only for a little while.

Good luck.

Original poster

cultkid · 29/10/2023 19:29

Thank you all

Im constipated and im worried it's going to make the scan impossible to see if im okay

I have taken magnesium but it hasn't worked
Im now embarrassed about having a scan when im totally constipated and worried it's a waste of time too

OP posts:

Noleafclover1 · 29/10/2023 19:35

Depends on what they're looking for but generally unless it's a specific scan to look at the bowel it will make no difference if you're constipated. Everything else will show up just fine

AnnaMagnani · 29/10/2023 19:38

If it was a specific scan to look at the bowel they would have given you bowel prep to take in advance.

If they haven't then it doesn't matter if you are constipated or not.

Original poster

cultkid · 29/10/2023 19:46

Oh I'm so relieved to read that
I have taken magnesium citrate to no avail and I'm backed right up into my bottom
It's more to look at my womb and ovaries
I've been told I've got adenomyosis
I got terrible piles a few weeks ago and I don't want to give myself them again straining on the toilet
I'm wondering about trying a bit more magnesium

OP posts:

BigBoysDontCry · 29/10/2023 19:47

I had one for my pancreas a month or so ago although I think it covered my whole abdomen.

Prior to it I had to strip to my pants, shoes and socks and wear two gowns, one back to front and the other the right way so that I was fully covered. I had to put all my clothes in a shopping basket and carry them around with me. All jewellery removed. This was all done in a private cubicle.

Canula fitted and I joined all the others sitting waiting in their gowns and footwear with their shopping baskets, it was a bit surreal 😁

Actual scan was as described above and was very quick and not scary at all. After it I got changed back into my clothes and sat for a while before they took out the canula and I could leave. I had to wait longer than normal as I am allergic to penicillin.

Consultant called a couple of weeks later to confirm that everything was normal.

Good luck!

SwankyPants · 29/10/2023 19:49

Don't eat for a few hours before. The contrast can make you sick

DrCoconut · 29/10/2023 20:02

I hate cannulas so I put Emla on before going for my CT.

Original poster

cultkid · 29/10/2023 20:19

This is all so helpful thank you

OP posts:

LuciaPillson · 29/10/2023 20:24

At the hospitals I go to (not in the UK) they don't even make you undress if the clothes you are wearing, including bra, don't have any metal (buttons, zips, hooks, details). Metal on boots etc is ok. I wear jogging bottoms or leggings without metal and plain t-shirts etc, and I love not having to get into a gown. I also can wheel my walker with my stuff on it right into the scan room so don't have to use a locker. However different places / hospitals may have different rules about this.

Don't know if it's the same everywhere but where I am the contrast they give you to drink these days is thin like water, I remember when it was horrible thick stuff. I also didn't have to finish it all. Then the injected stuff which yes makes you feel very very hot for a short time which is weird, but not awful if you are expecting it, and the heat in the groin may make you feel as if you're peeing or need to, but you aren't really.

I also haven't had to wait afterwards, the cannula has come out straightaway after the machine is turned off and then off I go.

Even if the details vary, the procedure itself is quite quick and easy. Follow the instructions, hold breath when told to and it's over before you know it.

twointhemorning · 29/10/2023 20:44

I have an abdominal (chest and pelvis) CT scan every 3 months as I have ovarian cancer. I wear yoga pants, a sports bra, t shirt and no jewellery and trainers. I only have to take my coat off. The actual scan probably only takes 5 minutes. It takes a short time to get the cannula in your arm and to flush it through. It feels a bit odd when the dye goes through and you feel warm in your bottom.

I'm asked not to eat for 4 hours before my scan, so check the instructions in the letter. I have sometimes been constipated when I've had a scan and it's been noted on the report, but it's not affected the imaging.

You won't get the results straight after the scan. The radiologist may ask why you are having the scan and who requested the scan or if it's urgent. I have a scan at a different hospital to where my oncologist is based so sometimes I don't think the radiologist has all referral details.

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