Ab/Pelvic CT Scan - worried about drink

[emilyg]

Hey folks,

First - it's FABULOUS to see that what I've experienced for my entire life
actually has a name, & I'm not weird. I completely STUMBLED upon this
phobia, started reading - big lightbulb. I look forward to pursuing help
on this.

Anyhoo - tomorrow I have an abdominal/pelvic CT scan for IBS-C
diagnosis & of course I must drink that lovely contrast liquid - 6 12oz.
cups!! In characteristic phobic fashion, I am PETRIFIED of vomiting the
bunch of stuff I have to "down". Or of it making me sick later.

My facility mainly uses the Gastrografin (iodine) liquid mixed with Tang -
at least I like Tang...or did...might not anymore after this. Or I could
potentially ask for the barium stuff for this procedure if I wanted.

I've had barium "smoothie" before (only 1 16oz cup) for small-bowel xray
before...was o.k. getting down (but only one cup!), but caused some
cramping and D* after before switching to C and white poop. I gotta say,
the white poo was kinda fascinating. But I digress... The D of course
freaks me out since it's so closely attached to sv/fp, even tho I knew darn
well I don't have either. I still freaked out.

They're also combining the oral contrast with IV iodine contrast...so I've
got it coming from all angles!

What have been your experiences with the contrast solution for CT
scans...the large amounts that you have to ingest. What's the best bet for
me - the "known" barium junk (hard to get down 'cause so thick), or the
iodine (easy to get down, potential for nasty side effects)? I don't know if
I'll have a bad reaction to iodine since I don't eat shell fish period.

Would love your input. Thanks for reading!

~ E.

[Girlygirl1980s]

I had this very same test done about two months ago, and I was terrified, too! But don't be. I had the iodine drink mixed with Tang, and it didn't taste bad at all.I had no nausea or diarrhea any side effects. The iodine they inject sometimes makes you have a warm, flushing feeling, but that isn't bad either. So rest assured! [img]smileys/smilies_02.gif[/img] Let me know if you have any more questions.Edited by: halfoverthefur

[emilyg]

oh yay! I'm so glad you said that. I know that not ALL people have trouble
- my mom and dad didn't have any diarrhea or cramping at all...while other
people do have that. But I also know that my system is a little screwy too -
and very well could tweak out a bit. In the end though, it's my body getting
rid of that stuff from my system - which I should be thankful for. It's doing
it's job!

I appreciate your encouragement - thanks for replying!

[Girlygirl1980s]

Also, I have IBS, so I was really scared the drink would bother me in some way, but it didn't.

[emilyg]

got back from the test a couple hours ago...

From the contrast-drinking thru test, it wasn't as bad as I thought it
would be. It really wasn't that hard to get down 5 cups of the Tang stuff.
I thought I'd really be struggling since I'm not a big drinker to begin
with...

Didn't feel nauseous, nor uncomfy pretty much at all. Right before scan,
it became apparent that the iodine mixture had made it thru my system
(VERY apparent!).

IV iodine wasn't bad either.

Got home, was hungry, ate a bunch of herb bread (thinking it was help
sop up some of the liquid in my system).

NOW though, I'm experiencing "after-effects" that rival my colonoscopy
prep. Don't feel "Sick"...just getting mighty tired of the bathroom. And
now just worn out. Slight cramping, but nothing extreme. Also supposed
to be getting the PMSy cramps today too...lucky me.

So...all in all, not as terrible as I had envisioned, but still not something
I'd readily sign up to do again! Who would??!!?

Thanks for your encouragement though. It got me to the test site in an
upbeat mood. And I'm assuming my liquid insides will simmer down
eventually. I Hope!! I want to take a nap! Not sure how much more could
be in me. I swear I've eliminated everything.

~ e.

[Girlygirl1980s]

I also am not a big drinker, so my biggest challenge was actually getting all that Tang mixture down. Glad you made it through OK. I was thinking of you. [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]