Heart CT scan

[Tommyann]

I turned down my heart CT scan once I learned I had to get dye pumped through me . I’ve had kidney MRI scan done before with dye and had a terrible scary reaction to it . It took my breath away my heart went like the clappers I got a weird smell over coming me like petrol fumes which took the breath of me. Of course I panicked and was shouting I can’t breath I can’t breath but no one took a blind bit of notice of me. They thought I was just having a panic attack because of been in the MRI . It took that much out of me I had to sit around the hospital for a hr before I attempted to drive my self home and even then I had to. Stop off at a supermarket as I thought I’m going to collapse and at least if I do inside some one will get me help. It took days for me to feel ok again . I took the same reaction to the Covid vaccination I took one and no more . So since iam already Afib permanent and enlarged atrium cardio version lasted just over 24 hrs , I’m very scared of having this reaction again it would finish me off .

Anyway the booking girl rang me for a date and I told her I was afraid of going on ahead with it because of the past problems. And was more r less told so you don’t want to get it done we take you off the list . I rang the cardiologist secretary left a message I would like to speak to her about same never got a reply.Now I’m worried as I’m thinking I was offered this because I needed it done to look at the whole cardio system , could other things be wrong I don’t know about r could get treatment for 🤷‍♀️ I don’t know . I try not to think about it as I get very down in the dumps about it all. I went to my GP as I tried to speak to him about it but he was, need to speak to the cardiologists as he really not up in heart matters 🙄🤷‍♀️ so I don’t know if I’m even going to be called back by the cardiologist again or not and I don’t know how to find out if iam .. So down in the dumps. .

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

I have had 4 tests - 3 tests were with iodine 1 Radio Active with PET Scan.

Used as infusion or dye with CT scan it stays around for only 8 seconds. Radiology needs a dye sometimes to get better pictures. The taste in you mouth is a metallic taste if you have not had enough water the night before and throughout the day until they tel you to stop all liquid.

Before a dye was put in for my thyroidectomy up to operation (1 hr going through before op) but before that I had 1.1/2 bags of saline before the dye.

What I am saying is that you should have been told to drink water and the amount night before and up to your CT scan. And afterwards.

With the PET scan where I was radio active after I was told 2L water night before and 1L before infusion.

The iodine has 'browned' my skin.

I am anti radio active so the radio active treatment scan became a PET scan. I could keep on taking my thyroxine up to 48 hours before. The former was no thyroxine for 3 weeks. I would be hypo thyroid in serious risk of further heart problems. And my age puts me well into aged.

So please drink water and lots.

Your anti-co.agulant is better taken with fruit followed or fruit juice.

I have no trouble with PRADAXA twice a day. I use the former regime.

I have persistent AF but rapid AF is under control with CCB Diltiazem 120mg CD AM.

cheri JOY. 75 (NZ)

[Dudtbin]

i think they can use something different to iodine if you have had a reaction to a previous dye. Keep trying to ring the cardio ward , i had this done and it wasn’t pleasant but nowhere near as bad as feared.

[Tommyann in reply to Dudtbin]

I received a letter today to say they will arrange a dobutamine stress echo for me instead . This drug puts the heart under pressure and the echo looks to see if there are any blockages in the heart arteries . Which is good … but I’ve become real anxious about every procedure now and it hard to get out of that way of thinking!! When added onto the end of nearly everything could cause heart attack - stroke on and on .. some times u better not knowing .

[Dudtbin in reply to Tommyann]

I know it’s really difficult to put the anxiety aside , you have to just think then you will know exactly what is going on. They do hundreds of these things and it’s rare they go wrong youre very closely monitored and they know what they’re looking at. Let us know hoe you get on.

[Tommyann in reply to Dudtbin]

Thank you for your kind words Dudtbin, I will surely keep you up up to date . still waiting on date to be given.

[timelucky]

I used to have MRI with contrast up to probably 20 years ago. Weird & unpleasant sensation from the contrast for sure. Since then I have had CAT scans with contrast every few years. In the beginning it wasn't much different but for at least the last decade it's been no problem at all. The radiologist told me that they changed from an ionic to non-ionic contrast. I'm sure this was a over simplification to Joe public but it surely made a big difference in comfort level. The other important thing I was told was to be well hydrated and drink lots post procedure to rid the body of it quickly & effectively.

Best of luck whatever you decide

[Tommyann in reply to timelucky]

I’m getting another procedure done Instead it’s a injection which raises your heart rate and a echo scan done at same time , you never know if your going to react to anything until you get it done I seem to be ultra sensitive to a lot of things .