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HELP!! I have to have a CAT Scan tomororw and I'm really scared!!!
So I've been having lower abdominal pain for awhile now but after several visits to the doctor and two internal ultrasounds I still have no idea why. My doctor told me that I need to have a CAT scan, so I just called and made the appointment for tomorrow morning.
The only thing is - I'm SCARED!! I've never had a CAT scan before so I don't really know what to expect. The person on the phone told me that I have to drink this chalky liquid before I go...but she kept asking me if I had all these allergies and now I'm paranoid that I'm going to be allergic to the contrast drink. On top of that, I'm somewhat claustrophobic so if this is going to be anything like an MRI I seriously doubt I'll be able to go through with it. I really want to know what's wrong with me, but I honestly feel sick to my stomach because I'm so nervous about this CAT scan tomorrow.
To anyone out there who HAS had one - what was it like? It is terrible? Am I going to freak out? Was the liquid really that bad? Please comfort me!
See You Real Soon!
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I cannot speak to allergies, but there is nothing to worry about regarding the CAT scan itself. One thing to ask is if your imaging center has an "open" machine. Quite often they have one where you only go through a ring about 1 foot wide and aren't inserted into a tube. They will ask you about being claustraphobic; be honest and they will either direct you toward the open machine, or if they do not have one they will be experienced in dealing with peoples concerns.
Good luck and I hope everything turns out
*1972-Contemporary
*1982-Tree House Village
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The liquid you have to drink before hand is better cold. It's thick and very sweet ,reminded me of cake batter.
The CT is not closed like an MRI. The machine looks like a big doughnut. You may have to hold your breath for about 30 seconds when they take the pictures.
If you've never had a sensitivity to shell fish, you should be fine with the constrast dye. When they insert the IV and it begins, your body feels very flushed.
The procedure isn't painful, it's not going to hurt. I've had a couple in the past few years and I am the biggest chicken you'd ever meet when it come to hospitals. I came out fine.
Good luck and I hope you feel better.
1973,1978 (2x) Off Site
1980 CONTEMPORARY
1981 POLY
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I have nothing to add to what's already been said, but lots of and let us know how it goes!
Chris, aka Strmchsr
INTERCOT Staff: Vacation Planning, Guests with Special Needs, and Weather Guru
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I've had a couple of CT scans done and I want to reassure you that you'll do fine. Someone said before it is shaped like a donut, and they were right. It is not a tunnel, like an MRI is, nor are there the pounding noises that an MRI has. The strangest part is if they use IV contrast, in which case you will probably feel flushed and warm for about 20 seconds or so.
Believe me, the CT scan is right up there for being one of the more "easy to take" diagnostic tests that's out there.
Beth
INTERCOT Staff--
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I'm a frequent flyer when it comes to CT scans and had my most recent one this a week ago Monday. It may be because I'm a self-admitted geek, but I find the machine to be amazingly interesting (from my very first it reminded me of the movie Contact for some reason). The flavor and the consistency of the "glop" you get to drink will vary according to what they are looking for, the hospital you go to and even the department in the hospital where they are scanning you (I get a thin apple juice-flavored drink in the ER and what they euphemistically call a "banana smoothie" at Faculty Practice Radiology).
You lie down on a long table... first they raise you up and insert you into the donut area, and they'll do a "test run" to check for correct measurements. Once they've established how far to "run you through" (think driving into a parking space and then backing out to establish how much you need to advance your car to get the right fit), they'll start the IV of the contrast. Then you'll be asked to hold your breath ("breathe in... breathe out... breathe in and hold your breath") while they run the actual test. The GE machines I've been on actually count backwards to tell you how much longer you'll be holding your breath which is really useful. The Siemens machines don't do that (at least the ones they have at my hospital). Before you know it, it's over! Unless you're at Seattle Grace, your doctor most likely will not be sitting at the console doing your scan.
As for the allergy issue, I once reacted to the dye and there was a doctor in the room with me in less than 3 minutes. They immediately gave me Benadryl, started monitoring all my vitals, and watched me (three of them) like a hawk over the next 15 minutes. After that I had to hang out for another hour so they were absolutely sure I was fine... I'm not telling you this to scare you but rather to assure you that you will be well taken care of no matter what!
For me, the hardest part of the CT scan is waiting for the results, not the test.
Lots of to you!
Ellen
INTERCOT Staff: Dining, Disney Cruise Line, Guests with Special Needs
Next up:
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President's Week 2013
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CT is like going through the hole of a donught. You lie on a table and the table moves. you are not enclosed like a MRI. The reason they ask if you have any allergies is that they use a iodine based drink and if you have allergies to shellfish, strawberries or anything with high iodine content then they will use something else. If you are not sure let them know. These are painless and will only take less than 15 min. You will be fine! If you get nervous just hink happy thoughts . Before you know it you will be done.
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i never had one..but i just want to say goodluck...im sure it wont be all that bad...let us know how it goes...and what you thought of it...
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I can't add too much to what's already been said -- I've had a few CT's myself, and agree that it's the anticipation before and the waiting for the results afterwards that is the hardest to take, I think. You're probably actually having the CT right now, or already have -- so just sending some your way for as you go through it, and for the results afterwards. I sure hope everything turns out just fine -- be sure to let us know how you are!!
Blythe
Past trips -
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I just wanted to send some pixie dust for your nerves and for everything to turn out OK!
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Originally Posted by MNNHFLTX
The strangest part is if they use IV contrast, in which case you will probably feel flushed and warm for about 20 seconds or so..
I had the IV contrast when I was in the hospital in 2005 and that is a weird sensation, even though they had warned me what it what it would feel like!
Like everyone else has said, it's just the anticipation that's scary - mine was also like going through a donut - they were scanning my lungs and it wasn't scary at all - and it didn't last very long.
My Mom, who was a heart transplant recipient, had to go through tests like this every year - she too had an allergy issue with them. She was deathly allergic to shellfish, so I believe the contrast has iodine in it (the same thing that causes the shellfish allergy). Just like Ellen, they didn't realize this until she had her first allergic reaction and they immediately gave her benadryl. From there on in, they gave her a large dose of benadryl prior to the test - she never had a problem again with it.
I know it's easier said than done, but try not to stress yourself out too much! I like the idea of using the mental imagery - picture yourself in a place that you love, with people you love, and it will be over before you know it!
Jen aka conorsmom2000
1977 - Fort Wilderness
1995, 2005, 2006 - Wilderness Lodge
2017 - Coronado Springs
2024 - Caribbean Beach
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Hi everybody!! I want to thank you all for the advice, reassurance and personal experiences. They really helped!! I am DEFINITELY one of those people who make myself stressed out with anticipatory anxiety. Isn't it ridiculous that you can completely freak yourself out against all logic? I kept thinking to myself that there really is no reason at all to be afraid - the test is quick, painless and not enclosed, but the emotional side of me was still freaking out. I wish there was a way to turn off my internal panic button.
Anyway, I was still nervous this morning before the test but afterwards I said 'that was it?'. I brought my Ipod with me but didn't even have time to listen to it because the test went really quickly. They didn't make me dress in a gown - which I was very thankful for. The nurse and the technician were VERY friendly and told me that the test would be a snap. When she injected me with the contrast dye the sensation was there but not as much as I thought there would be. (That's probably because I was already having hot flashes from being nervous)
I also didn't realize they were going to inject the contrast through an IV -I thought the contrast was what I drank before the test (and yes, it was pretty gross). I felt a burning sensation every time I swallowed (like when you drink bad iced tea) and the aftertaste was like chalky coconut - although it smelled like oranges. They didn't make me drink the second bottle of it because I was feeling very queasy. I can't breastfeed my DD for 48 hours but other than that everything is back to normal. I'm going Wednesday to get the results and I'm hoping that they find whatever it is so that I don't have to have an MRI. I also hope it's nothing serious...
I'll keep you posted! Thanks again!!
See You Real Soon!
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I am so glad to hear everything went well -- I am also one of those people who's internal panic button can go on "red alert" very quickly, and it is very hard to turn off! Especially when you're facing the unknown. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that your results come back just fine -- sending a little and a along with it. Good luck!!
Blythe
Past trips -
3x offsite,May 06 CBR,Oct 07 I'cot 10,Dec 08 CBR,Jan 09 ASMu,Oct 09 CBR/AKL,Jan 11 AsMu,Aug 11 CBR, Oct 11 AKL,Oct 12 I'cot 15,Aug 13 CBR,Aug '14 mini AKL trip
Next -
May '17 DL OR June '17 CBR
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I am SO UPSET!! I drove 40 minutes this morning to my doctor's appointment just to have the receptionist tell me that I'd have to reschedule because the doctor got stuck at the hospital. They had only called me 15 minutes before I arrived and didn't bother to try my cell phone, so I wasted over an hour just driving! Now, I definitely understand that the doctors have emergencies. I have no problem with rescheduling the appointment - however, they couldn't get me another appointment for TWO WEEKS!! How am I supposed to wait TWO WEEKS for my CAT scan results?? What if there is something seriously wrong? It was hard enough for me to wait five days let alone another 14!! The receptionist was very rude on top of that...
See You Real Soon!
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You're right. 2 weeks is a ridiculously long time to wait for results. That said, I don't think they would make you wait 2 weeks if it was something seriously wrong. Still, I would call back and ask to have the doctor call you. If you can't get in for an appointment they can at least give you the courtesy of a phone call. Sorry for all your anxiety!
Chris, aka Strmchsr
INTERCOT Staff: Vacation Planning, Guests with Special Needs, and Weather Guru
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