Had the letter for DDs CT scan - any experience?

[RuchedCurtain]

Have NC as anyone who knows me in RL will know this is me!

DD has got to have a CT of her chest in a couple of weeks. She's 17 months and they've said they'll give her a GA to keep her still. I'm terrified about the whole thing already. Has anyone else had experience of this?

Yes I have-feel free to PM if you want if it'd make it easier for you. My DS2 was 17 months as well when he had it done. We actually had to go to GOSH as they had to do a detailed echo as well...he's got a quite complicated issue and the CT was to establish how complicated it was!

It was absolutely fine-the hardest thing was trying to keep him occupied without being able to eat and drink. Why has your little girl got to have it done? He has had 3 GA's now and he is just 2 and honestly the thought of it was much worse than reality if that makes any sense at all?

My DS has had 2 CT scans, 2 PET scans and an MRI (all before 4 months old). He also had 7 GA during that time. TBH it was probably easier with a small baby as he didn't know what was going on and was iv-fed so didn't get hungry. The hardest thing I've had to do was a 12 hour fast (4am-4pm) when he was 14 months old so I agree with ihearttc with that. Take a portable dvd player and some games etc to keep her (and you) occupied. Also try to think of something to do whilst the scan is going on even if it's just to go to the nearest Starbucks (other coffee shops are available ) and get a coffee. Good luck. x

Thank you iheart and blondefriend.

DD has had persistent chest infections with xray changes since contracting RSV bronchiolitis as a small baby. They think she has bronchiectasis as a result, but want to know the extent of it, and whether or not there is any congenital abnormality in the lung not just damage iyswim. They have tried just treating each infection as it comes and not doing anything invasive (although she's had all the tests for variants of CF etc), but she's now on long-term antibiotics, inhalers, nebulisers and daily physio, and still has admissions to hospital, so they've decided they need to have more information on what's actually going on.

I hadn't even thought about having to stop her from eating and drinking beforehand. It's booked for 2pm so it's going to be really hard to distract her all morning. She's still bf so is going to get quite upset .

They did mention trying to do it without GA but she's never still for a second, even when asleep so I couldn't see that working at all. Her consultant pointed out that to try and do it, expose her to the radiation and then not actually get the scan would be worse than just giving the GA for a few mins and getting it done.

I know what you mean about the thought being worse than the deed. The scan is not going to last long but I've had ages to wind myself up about it! Maybe they should just have rung me on the morning - like you do with a toddler on jab day!