Quick question - CT san with contrast prep

[Shiveringinthecountry]

I know I'm late in the day to ask this but I also have a manometry test today and I've been focussing on that one as I've been nervous about it.

At 2.30pm today I have CT scan (abdomen, thorax, pelvis) with contrast. I received an email last week that told me to hydrate well yesterday but I now realise there were no other instructions and no explanation of what's involved. I've only just noticed the 'with contrast' part.

Will I need to drink something, do you think? Any idea how long it all lasts? I'll try ringing them shortly but would be great if somebody here knows the answer in case I can't get through.

I think it will be an injection.

No. Just water is ok. No ribena!!! You can keep your clothes on, too, just no bra (wires etc) and no other metal, so T-shirt, trackies and sweatshirt (it’s cold in scanning room) will be fine.

Lasts about 20 minutes. They will warn you you may feel like weeing, but it’s just a feeling - you don’t need to leap out.

Nurse here 👋 The contrast will be given through a cannula in your arm, the reason they like you to hydrate is that it can be a bit tough on your kidneys. They'll go through what will happen when you get there but the key thing they'll mention is that sometimes the contrast makes you feel like you need to wee/have wet yourself, you won't have. Best of luck 😊

ETA: it won't take long, I imagine you'll be waiting for longer than you'll be being scanned.

I had a CT scan with contrast a few weeks ago and was not instructed to hydrate well in advance. Similar to yours, it took 18 minutes (6 of which were waiting for the contrast to reach the organ they were concentrating on). Hope it all goes well.

Yes, needle in with dye. They are experienced so the needle flies in to the most pathetic of veins (mine!).

Just to add (been Googling), since they've not sent me anything to swallow in advance might they inject the contrast?

I have CT scans with contrast regularly (to monitor cancer). For the region where you are getting the scan I am usually advised not to eat 4 hours before the scan. So check your instructions...

Wow, thanks for all the replies. I really appreciate it

The contrast as others have said is given intravenously.

The cannula is put in. You will go in and out the scanner a couple of times, then they add the contrast.

The thing I was worried about was claustrophobia, (never had a CT or MRI until the last couple of years) and you’re not “enclosed” at all so that was not a problem. Like many others, I was totally convinced I’d wet myself, but I hadn’t.

At times like this I love Mumsnet! Thanks all ❤️

Yes, I had the contrast through the cannula. The CT scanner makes quieter sounds and is more open than an MRI machine, imo.

It is the WEIRDEST sensation ever! I knew it was coming but still thought I'd peed myself, the warm feeling is mental!

I also had the GTN spray because mine was coronary and that gave me a headache.

I've had lots of these including one last week. I was told to drink a litre of water in the hour before the scan.
As others have said you are fitted with a cannula, no need to change clothes just remove any metal. You lay on a bed and they move you into the scanner. The machine will move back and forth and tell you to breathe in and hold your breath, then breath out. About half way through they put the contrast in through the cannula and you will feel a warm sensation in your abdomen. It's very quick, aroung 15 minutes.

@Shiveringinthecountry - hope it went well today ✊

Hi, and thanks so much for asking!

Yes, it did thanks. What a strange sensation that contrast is! Fortunately I'd been warned here, so wasn't worried when it felt like I'd weed on the table! 😂

The other test went well too i.e. it wasn't as horrible as I'd thought it might be (by a long way), and it showed up what's going on, so that was good news.

Thank you again for your help this morning ❤️

(I love your name, btw 😂)

Glad it all went well OP. It is a strange sensation isn’t it?