CT Scan - anyone had one?

[carocaro]

Had x-ray as have pain in rib cage, lungs and heart are clear, but boney build up not clear to see so need a CT, all to do with my 5th rib towards my back, GP told me it is nothing sinister, more of an ineteresting case that has baffled the x-ray people at the local hospital.

Are they just saying that to stop me freaking out? (which I am) No other symtoms besides this on and off frigging pain, chest sometimes clicks when moving about.

Also are all CT scan machine like donuts or are they tubes? Am very clautrophobic?

My 6 year old DS had a chest CT scan yesterday. It was a 'doughnut' one, he laid on the bed with his arms above his head and the bed went in and out and the giant doughnut told him to 'breath in, hold it, and breath normally' I was expecting DS to scream and wriggle but he wasn't scared and it was over in a few minutes.

IME - they don't tell you its nothing to worry about if it is. (I speak as a cancer patient - Drs have always been very upfront with me right from the start.) So try not to freak out

CT scan is a doughnut - I'm claustrophobic too, but I was OK, it won't go over your head, just from the chest down.

I had to fast from when I woke up on the day, then when I got there I had to drink a large jug of liquid (barium I think) over the course of about an hour and a half. I don't know whether you'll have to do that - perhaps not if they are looking at bone. But just thought I'd mention it so you know it could take a while.

While I was having the scan they injected me with something that makes you feel as if you are having a wee (you aren't - it just feels like it) - again you might not have this.

I think I had to wait a week or so for my results.

Good luck, and try not to worry

I've had CT scans on my wrist, nothing to worry about i promise. You lie on trolley/bed thing which moves in and out of the big polo shaped scanner. No special drinks or injections for checking wrist bones so assume ribs will be same. Nothing like MRI scan, I've had them too!!

I had a CT scan and an MRI last year. The CT is the doughnut and the MRI is the tunnel. Both were very similar in that you had to stay very still and they were noisy. Good luck with yours.

Well I must have had about 25 CT scans over the years, so I'm an expert...

Polo shaped, no worries with claustrophobia. Actual process is very quick, at my hospital as long as you haven't got anything metal on you can even have it fully clothed. I just have to take my bra off cos it's underwired.

For my first few I had to fast but now, as medicine progresses, it's eating as normal up to two hours before, drinking as normal too and then just a jug ( about four paper cups full) of normal water in the waiting room. I'm sure the water is only required for making sure you're properly hydrated if you have to have contrast fluid - which as tipsycat said is probably not necessary for a bone scan.

Good luck - you'll be fine...

Right I had the scan Thursday just gone and have heard nothing, I am worrying a lot, but would they have called me ASAP if there was something that needed urgent attention? Or can it still be serious and take up to ten days to hear anything?

Quietly freaking out.

I think you would've heard if it was anything worrying - they usually tell you asap, so stop worrying.

I am having one done at the weekend and have to have that drink - is it disgusting?

Thanks, had the stuff in my arm as it was a chest ct, was like a warm rush feel through my body, made me feel like I was gonna pee, which they warned me about, thanks and good luck with yours