Thoracic CT Scan - With contrast.

[Ern007]

Not that remarkable having a CT Scan - But today I was not feeling the best before I wnt.

It was a Thoracic CT with contrast.

I have had many of these and know they can make you feel warm, and even an urge to urinate although it never happens.

I was placed on the CT Scanner and was given Iodine as a contrast.

The scan started and the Iodine kicked in - After a minute or so I got the warmth and heat in lower part - Worst was my throat felt very warm.

Seems strange I asked was that (throat) normal. seems it is.

So being asked to breath in and hold my breath a few times, I found this much harder than usual - I let got a little early on one, and I told them, they said it's clear and fine "don't worry"

The operators very nice, I was glad when it ended and all I wanted was to get to car. Had lots of these but seemed different - probably me being off color and being a softy .

Back home now tired but nothing wrong after the scan..

Thing is I do not have a clue who ordered this CT Scan or why, Just a letter and text with a date.

[sassy59]

Glad all went well with the scan Ern and hope you feel better today. I had to hold my breath during my MRI scan a while back and hated it.

You take care xxxx

[Ern007 in reply to sassy59]

Thank's Carole. I normally t.ake these scans in my stride, but the scan went well - Just wait and see the results and which doctor ordered the scan. Not had a MRI Scan, but know what you mean holding breath - Feels like you are bursting, x

[Turnipgirl in reply to Ern007]

Back in 2017 I had a CT scan at a and e and I was frightened as I thought it was the MRI scan where you are enclosed and the radiographer explained things and said how the CT scanner is nice and open and it's like going through a polo mint.

I had the iodine injection as well so they could see the blood vessels in my lungs which had felt like a bee sting!

[Ergendl]

Well done for surviving the scan. Good luck finding out who asked for it and what they wanted to know.

[Ern007 in reply to Ergendl]

Thank's Ergendl - Had loads of these scans, yesterday was an off day, now I have to wait for results and who ordered the scan - I have two on going problems, I would like to know which one.

[Nula2]

Hi Ern 🙋‍♀️, you've been through a lot recently no wonder it took it out of you. Take care and hope you find out who ordered it! Hindsight is a wonderful thing but the scan operators might have been able to tell you? Maybe give them a ring and ask. xxx

[Ern007 in reply to Nula2]

Thank's Nula2 - I have asked in the past and found out, some are secretive. Should have asked last night, but was pushing to get out and into my car.

[Nula2 in reply to Ern007]

Hope you find out soon. Take it easy and keep us posted xxx

[Ern007 in reply to Nula2]

Thank's - sure will x

[Mooka]

Hopefully you will find out in due course who ordered the scan. I remember that feeling that you’re setting yourself but not the throat bit. I hope your results are good.

[Ern007 in reply to Mooka]

Thank's Mooka - I will find out soon i think, I normally get a phone call - I have a dedicated nurse, might ask her. I hope my results are OK, been very mixed the last three years,

[watergazer]

Glad all was well with the scan x

[Ern007 in reply to watergazer]

Thank's watergazer - The operators where brilliant, I was off color but was not in long .

[Izb1]

The first time i had a ct with contrast dye I could almost feel it running through my bladder and wasn't sure if I had wet myself. The ones I have had since have been nothing like it and I wonder if a little too much iodine was in the first one. I would phone and ask to put your mind at rest x

[Ern007 in reply to Izb1]

I have had lots of scans, some made my bladder feel the same as yours, what got me yesterday the warm feeling went to my throat, very weird feeling. I asked at time was that normal, they said it was but I had never had that before x

[Turnipgirl in reply to Izb1]

The radiographer had said to me how I might have felt hot and like I was accidentally peeing when I had my CT scan in a and e when she explained things.

Thankfully I didn't though!

[CDPO16]

Dear Ern, you are certainly not a softie. Glad it's done with now xx

[Ern007 in reply to CDPO16]

Thank's - I was off color yesterday and felt a softie, could not wait to get in my car and home, scan.s don't normally bother me at all. As you say over and done, next appointment treatment lasting 3 weeks, in between my GP blood tests, she really does a lot of them. Good doctors x

[CDPO16 in reply to Ern007]

You really are going through the mill Ern. I'm glad to know that you have good GPs looking after you as well as all the hospital departments. Best wishes, Carole xx

[Ern007 in reply to CDPO16]

Thank's Carole. When I lived in the town, GPs very ordinary. I moved to this village, expecting little. but she really is a star, x

[Izb1 in reply to Ern007]

That must be comforting for you Ern, knowing that you have a gp that is looking out for you, they are very few and far between x

[leonierose]

Hello Ern I had a thoracic scan when they first diagnosed Bronchiectasis They said they were looking to see whether the nodules in my lungs had spread to the abdomen They hadn’t so that was good I have a lung scan every year to see if there is any change . Just rest and recover and so sorry you felt unwell

[Ern007 in reply to leonierose]

Hi, Some three years ago after my last ever COPD revue - My doctor sent me for a chest x Ray and it came back with abnormalities. A follow up the same, was reffered to Respiratory who ordered a CT Scan. It showed a shadow on my Left Apex and consultant was concerned, he left the hospital and new consultant said it was more scarring. That was that. I now have BC and I was sent for a CT Scan to see if it had spread, that showed 6mm nodules on my lung, Respiratory was happy to wait and see - This scan could have been a follow up to see if it has grown,. I shall have to wait and see as I don't know who ordered the scan. Thank's I am resting today.

[Donald_1931]

It’s not pleasant being messed about with like that,. Well done Ern. 👍

[Ern007 in reply to Donald_1931]

Thank's Donald it seems never-ending - I just did not want to go yesterday at 6-40PM feeling not the best, I just wanted to get back to car and home.

[Turnipgirl]

The communication in the health service needs a lot of room for improvement doesn't it?

I had that happen to me and what I did was I rang them up and asked them to explain things why the test was ordered and why wasn't it explained to me first what it was and why it was needed.

A few weeks ago I received a phone call claiming the rent hadn't been paid and yes it had and thankfully I managed to stay polite on the phone in spite of feeling furious!

What I did a couple of days later was I rang them up and asked them to confirm in writing yes the rent was paid in full and on time and why was the call made as in my view that kind of reaction wasn't really warranted as it was the following day when they had rung and I ended up receiving an apology.

Thing is in regards to rent payments done by standing order anything can happen just something as silly as the computers breaking down as that does happen or being slow.

I did request that in the future should the rent be late by more than a week then yes that does warrant a phone call to see what's going on but that was just petty though ringing after a day!

It's how these things are managed that upsets people in my view!

[Ern007 in reply to Turnipgirl]

Bang on Turnipgirl - This yesterday came out of the blue I did not know who had ordered it, looking back I should have rand them, they may have told me.

Computers breaking down is a curse -We shop on-line at Morrisons and have since lockdown started,

two weeks ago I got e mail saying problem with order not being paid, so cancelled. I use a credit card and it's a £3000 limit and only use it for Morisons and Amazon. I rang them and told them the payment had been authorised - I got an apology - but we had no order, I had to reorder to get our food three days late. We have had problems with payment with delivery pass - I have rang bank and they said, nothing to do with them no payment, they must have requested wrongly. Computers,

[Izb1 in reply to Ern007]

It's more likely human error Ern, perhaps somebody allocating cash wrongly, you should have received something in the way of an apology from Morrisons a voucher or chocolates. Big supermarkets don't seem to care about their customers anymore x

[Ern007 in reply to Izb1]

We id get a voucher because I had contacted them, not for their mistake. The voucher did not work so I e mailed them and got another 2 - for £10 each, one worked and I left it at that. None of the supermarkets care at all.. x

[Turnipgirl in reply to Izb1]

No they don't do they?

[meicox]

Another question really: would a CT scan show up Lewy Bodies?

[Ern007 in reply to meicox]

? - Who has v 'Lewy body dementia' - No a CT Scan will not diagnose "Lewy Bodies" nor will a MRI Scan. Currently the only sure diagnose is a brain autopsy after death. Source to be sure - Google.

[Alberta56]

They should tell you who ordered the scan and why. Very discourteous not to.

[Ern007 in reply to Alberta56]

Yes - Really my test of letter should have told me. I am going to phone my GP and see if it was her if not that narrows it down to Urology or Respiratory - Then I can phone my dedicated urology/oncology nurse . We are all left in the ark to a degree I reckon..

[Alberta56]

Some medical staff still have a 'Patients should be seen and not heard' attitude.

[Ern007 in reply to Alberta56]

That;s true but but I find the MDT are making things worse, gosh have I been out thought the mill with them. That is the system now it seems.

[Alberta56 in reply to Ern007]

I wish your medical staff were kinder/ better organised.

[Ern007 in reply to Alberta56]

Nurses, scan operators are fine as is, my GP - my problem is the MDT system not done me any favours I reckon.

[Bardear]

MRI SCANNER - I AM CLAUSTROPHOBIC AND AM DUE TO HAVE AN MRI. SHUDDER SHUDDER BUT APPARENTLY AN MRI CAN BE OPEN AND LIKE A DONUT, IT CAN ALSO BE LIKE A SANDWICH - YOU IN THE MIDDLE - I AM DUE TO HAVE ONE ON THE 8th OF AUGUST AND THE LOVELY BOOKING RECEPTIONIST IS SENDING ME TO A HOSPITAL THAT HAS AN "OPEN ENDED" MRI WHICH APPARENTLY IS BIGGER. THEY Also suggested i ask GP for diazepam to relax me - last time i had this pill i fell asleep in the chair sooooooo this time i shall take only half a 5mg pill.

MUST ADMIT STILL NOT COMPLETELY SETTLED RE MRI THOUGH PET SCANS ARE A WALK IN THE PARK

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[Ern007 in reply to Bardear]

Hi, I am not keen on being eclosed. I had a PET Scan and I am sure the unit was the same as a CT Scan. I have not had a MRI Scan.

I would not worry - The operators will know you are "CLAUSTROPHOBIC" and they will treat you well.

If Diazepam will help, take the tablet and sail through the scan. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[Bardear in reply to Ern007]

Hello Ern007

Thankyou so much for your reply which I found really encouraging - thankyou again.

I have had three or four CT Scan's (every 3 months , 6 months etc etc). the first one was like a donut - it was lovely because it was a little bit higher than normal and when you were in it if you looked up slightly to the right you could see through the window in the room to the outside. I had to have a dye injected for this one. The second one was without a dye and I went in feet first this one was a tube but my head remained outside the tube. Both of these were done at the same hospital. I have now also been in this one with a dye.

The latest one I had was done at a different hospital so I think perhaps its a case of "the luck of the draw".

So if you do need an MRI remember you do have options. If you type into the internet - MRI's in hospitals- found this by accident - it will bring up some pictures and also tell you where the hospitals are. I suppose you could also do this when looking for CT Scanners.

I will let you know how I get on on the 8th. My daughter will be coming with me and as I understand it - if she meets the criteria that is - she may be allowed into the x-ray room wearing protective clothing - how wonderful /confidence building is that. We shall find out when we get there.

Take care

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Alberta56 in reply to Bardear]

I had an MRI scan recently on my head. It wasn't too bad- they wrapped my head up as if I were going to play American Football, but they gave me a buzzer to press if I felt panicky or needed to cough or sneeze. It didn't take long. The worst thing was having Radio 2 playing very loudly to drown out the noise of the machine. It didn't. Best of luck.

[Bardear in reply to Alberta56]

Thankyou. I think I'll request a nice play or quiz instead of music. Strange they give you foot tapping music when you are supposed to keep still xx

[Alberta56 in reply to Bardear]

It gives you something to concentrate on- stopping your feet from tapping.😂😂

[Bardear in reply to Alberta56]

thank you

keep well

xxxx

[Ern007 in reply to Bardear]

Hi Bardear - Strange I spotted this post earlier, I typed a reply, I hope I did not forget to press the reply button.

Thank you for that info on MRI, I am due one, had loads of CT but never a MRI. I am lucky with CT scans, our hospital just 4 miles away, always seem to be able to fit me in, I had to go 17 miles to Preston for a PET Scan.

I hope they let your daughter in with you, My wife travels with me for all appointments.

Look after yourself and good luck with scan - Please let us know how you got on. x

[Bardear in reply to Ern007]

Will do.

Had my PET Scan at the Royal Marsden about 30 miles from my home. Cab cost a fortune - was unaware how the hospital transport system worked at that time I was naive about it all - always hospital transport now. Some hospitals here let you order hospital transport yourself but some insist on ordering it for you themselves but you have to ask for it. Strange set up

Will let you know how I got on.

xxxx

[Ern007 in reply to Bardear]

You do know that in certain circumstances you can claim your cab fair back. You can order hospital transport yourself to go to hospital, hospital will arrange your transport home. Depends on circumstances maybe. x

[Bardear]

Mine was ordered by the orthopaedic consultant. Perhaps yours was ordered by your chest consultant or your GP.

When your gp surgery get the results they will be able to say who ordered it.

Thanks for the info on the MRI and I do hope you felt better soon.

xxxxxxxxxxx

[Ern007 in reply to Bardear]

It could be oncology, urology, GP or even respiratory that could have ordered the scan, all done it before. I am going for treatment on the 1st, I will ask, Thank you and hope you get sorted xx

[Gaddie]

Hi. I had a few CT scans with iodine contrast. Each time my symptoms were worse. The last time I had one I could hardly breathe, I broke out in hives and all of my joints ached severely. And I felt extremely. They stopped the test, gave me oxygen and told me I should never have iodine contrast and need to tell anyone who wants to use iodine contrast that they can’t because I have a severe reaction. They now use something different for MRI with contrast but there is nothing else they can use for CT scans …. At least not in the United States. You might want to consider whether you want any scans with iodine contrast as mine reactions got worse each time.

[Ern007 in reply to Gaddie]

Hi Gaddie. I have had a few scans with iodine, mainly mild, at times the side effects feel different, felt the heat going near my throat the last time.

Thing is other contrasted can be more toxic - Gadolinium is no longer allowed for scans in the UK.

It's hard for me as I have nodules in my lungs that show up better with contrast and they check my BC to see if it is spreading. Kinda trapped with iodine. I think it is unpleasant and always relieved when ended.