To ask if anyone else can't follow instructions in medical appointments?!

[WhenIwasyoungersomuchyounger]

After I had a CT scan yesterday and tried to lie the wrong way on the bed?! 😳

How on earth did you manage that? It’s pretty obvious which bit your head goes in!

It was head facing away from the machine, so going in feet first.

I just assumed that I would be going in head first, never had a CT scan before!

And it was lying on your front, when I assumed I'd be lying on my back!

I was in hospital last week and they needed to give me a lorazepam to take the edge off and relax me for a test. But they needed to get it in quickly. The doctor said “just give her half and crush and gush it” whilst touching her top lip by her nostril.

I thought she was telling me to snort it!!

turns out she meant pop it under my top lip to dissolve against my gum.
it gave all the medics around my bed a good laugh!

Also fwiw I had two CTs during the same hospital stay last week and both were head first and on my back so I’d be with you!

I always have to double and triple check exactly which way round the hospital gown goes and what they want kept on underneath. It's like my brain can't process the information the first time!

I'm sure I had a CT scan head first on my back. I was asked to give a sample of my water once and the doctor roared with laughter because I filled the pot up with spit.

Helpful

In that case I’d have done exactly the same!

In 21 years as a nurse I’ve never seen anyone have one on their front!

@WingingIt101 That made me giggle, thank you. Hope you are feeling better now! 💐

I usually go to appointments like that wearing sports gear - running leggings (joggers with shorts underneath or capri length if they're going to be dealing with ankle/knee/hip), sports bra, top with a lot of stretch and trainers/socks with my hair tied back.

It usually means they'll take one look, say 'no metal?' and I can go through without having to worry about removing anything or having to be covered by a gown - it's also a lot easier to quickly take something off if it becomes necessary.

Opticians when they say ‘better first or second?’ I always get confused!!

My late father had a very high IQ, gastric ulcers and other issues, was flummoxed when the GP asked him to bring a stool in on his next appointment!

@Toddlerteaplease Yes, it blew my mind to be going in feet first on my front!

Also, it's difficult to actually get on the bed like that with somebody watching whilst you're bursting for a wee, as needed to have a full bladder.

Was a kidney scan, so that must be why.

Then the voice saying 'hold your breath, breathe normally' took my by surprise too! 😂

@catinacone Yes! I find hospital gowns baffling! And yes, in that situation, even when somebody explains something to me, it's like I just can't take it in.

When I was struggling with a massive amount of stress years ago, I told my doctor that I was having problems with my memory and cognitive functions, so he decided to test it.

He asked me to subtract 7 from 100. "93" I replied.

He then said "Same again?" I responded "It's still 93". He damn near pissed himself laughing, and explained that he meant me to subtract 7 from the 93...

@LakieLady 😂I can see myself doing this!

I hate the awkwardness that is pelvic exams without the proper beds with stirrups - and all medics seem to have different contortions they want you to pull - it’s the scooch right down, legs up, no legs up but feet down, but feet by your bum, knees out, hands under your bum, in fists, cough, and then ‘oh you’re very tense just relax please’ like wtaf 😅

@haveyouopenedyourbowelstoday Yes, sometimes in an eye test, I just end up saying one is better to be polite!

Also - socks on or off?! And do you take time to fold your clothes or is that wasting their time? And is it ok to put clothes on chair or are they gonna sit there?!

@3amamama Totally agree! And then that bit of paper roll that you have to hold over your stomach for your dignity.

Don't know about anyone else, but I feel like if I'm having a smear test, then I'm not so bothered if you can see my stomach?! And the paper keeps nearly floating away so it's more stressful keeping hold of it!

Maybe that's the idea, to distract you from what they're doing!

@3amamama Yes! I always like to keep my socks on and I'm never sure where to put my knickers! 🫣

Not really I had one the other day where I had to lie like superwoman with my feet going in first, lying on my front

Its different according to what is being scanned so there is no 'right or wrong' way to lie on it.

If its any consolation OP I've had people try and get on a dental chair upside down, sit on the legs. Crawl up it face first.

I used to think it fairly self explanatory, an obvious dip for your bum, a rest for your head. But a surprisingly large amount of people struggle. So not thinking you needed to lie face down for a CT is nothing