CT with contrast

[skippy11]

Hi, due to unstable asthma my consultant has asked for a CT chest/thorax with contrast. I’m a bit worried about the contrast part having never had this kind of investigation (usually they stop at xray). Has anyone had this before? More concerned about side effects and if it will affect my asthma

[twinkly29]

It shouldn't affect your asthma at all. They just put some due stuff through a cannula which they can see on the scan. You're supposed to drink plenty afterwards to flush it through but otherwise carry on as normal I think.

The worst bit though is that when it goes in/through you can feel very hot, like a wave as a goes through - and as it passes down it makes you feel like you've wet yourself. So that's nice. 😆😳 A nurse told me just before my first CT and I was so glad she did as that's exactly how it felt. She actually finished saying "you'll feel like you've wet yourself - but you won't have done, I promise!" 😆

[skippy11 in reply to twinkly29]

Thank you, I’ve read that I might have that sensation. Not a fan of needles but if it has to be done I will persevere

[twinkly29 in reply to skippy11]

I'm well used to them due to many hospital admissions so they don't bother me but it shouldn't hurt and don't look (I know that doesn't take away the fear but am sure you'll be ok).

[Dogruff in reply to twinkly29]

Omg! Thank you for saying this! There is currently no CT on the cards for me but I have a phobia around peeing myself. I’m so going to have to wear something heavy duty if I ever need a CT because I can imagine the sheer panic I would have and no reassurance would persuade me otherwise.

[twinkly29 in reply to Dogruff]

I was so glad the nurse told me! I was convinced I must still have 🤣. It is very quick but that doesn't help at the time.

[Js706 in reply to twinkly29]

Omg the pee sensation is awful 😂😂😂 I think it’s to do with the speed they inject it at because I had something similar when they accidentally ran a bag of magnesium through my IV over a minute rather than 20 😅

But it was a very bizarre feeling and thankfully over quite quickly! (The magnesium one really wasn’t ideal because I already needed the loo!!)

[twinkly29 in reply to Js706]

Ooh I've had that - think it was when ITU cons was alarmed the mag hadn't been running in properly (it had been up about a year and half 🤣) so he stood there and squeezed the bottle. So that was fun 😳. Assume he took it off the pump or something. Not pins and needles but the hot, peeing yourself feeling.

[CyclingQueen]

The warm sensation and like you're wetting yourself (!) lasts about 10 seconds in my experience so not too long. After that you don't feel anything. The machine talks to you and tells you what to do (breathe in, hold it, now breath out etc). At least the one I went in did.

[Willow7733]

I just came out of the hospital last week for pulmonary embolisms, and had several CT scans of my chest. It didn’t affect my asthma at all. The contrast they flush through goes in pretty quick but you don’t feel it. Like Twinkly29 said, you feel a warm sensation pass through you and you feel like you are peeing, but you aren’t. It is weird. But it doesn’t hurt. At any time, they can hear you so if you need to stop they will do it. There is really nothing to it. It goes pretty fast.

[Bmco]

I had this done a week ago - ditto about the effect of the contrast. Despite being fully warned I was convinced I must’ve still! I knew it was coming though having had one before so I went to the loo beforehand just in case.

Please don’t worry though, mine took a couple of minutes. I think I went in and out three times in total.

It’s the donut one so not too tight on space and if you have any issues you can just raise your hand/ say something and they can come to you.

I HATE needles but had a canular put in before as they did bloods and a machine put the fluid in (controlled by the radiographer who warned me when he was doing it), on the CT.

I imagine it’ll be over and done so quickly. Good luck x

[Maltesemama]

Hi Skippy, My Doc ordered one last month for me. It won’t affect your asthma, It’s just giving you an injection during the scan that makes your bottom feel warm for a minute. They look for any pulmonary embolism in your lungs. Doubt you have that, it’s just a way to get a better pix of your chest. Let us know and don’t worry. 😉

[skippy11 in reply to Maltesemama]

Thank you. They are investigating why I have a productive cough which has been there since August 2019 along with constant chest infections. Fought to see a consultant which finally took place in October 2020 and he suggested a CT (and was baffled as to why I haven’t had one previously). Hoping this sheds some light as to what is going on

[Maltesemama in reply to skippy11]

Good for you that you’re finally getting your CT scan. Let us know. Obviously they’ve tried antibiotics to help you? Best of luck with everything!

[skippy11 in reply to Maltesemama]

Yes, several doses of antibiotics and steroids they help until they stop and GP doesn’t want to keep dishing them out (they told me they aren’t smarties(. Had CT thankfully didn’t need contrast phew, was so comfy almost fell asleep lol

[Maltesemama in reply to skippy11]

Good Skippy11! I’m sure things will go well now. Yes, it is mesmerizing under there, isn’t it? Hugs from America

[DollyDutchGirl]

In early May 2019, aged 73, I had a CT scan for suspected pulmonary embolisms (I carry a blood clotting gene). Fortunately the scan showed no embolisms but, gave a definitive diagnosis of small airways disease due to the appearance of ‘tree-in-bud’ - (an indication of some degree of airway obstruction) together with mucus plugging and trapped air...and I was rapidly referred to the hospital’s respiratory clinic, who are still caring for me. Unfortunately, it manifested itself as severe, uncontrolled asthma - and, during this pandemic, I am classified as CEV. However, without the CT scan, the diagnosis of Asthma may have taken much longer.