CT scan with pacemaker? And exceeding the fluid restriction.

[laura_dropstitch]

Hello, all. Just wondering if any of you with pacemakers or other devices have ever had a CT scan? I'm going for one on Tuesday morning (long story...) and am getting mixed reports from looking online. Scan is nothing to do with my heart, so would like to be a bit clued up in case they haven't considered that side of things fully.

Also, going for an ultrasound scan the following week and have been told to down at least two pints of water 90 minutes before going in because they need me to have a full bladder. I'm on a 1.5 litre daily fluid restriction because of my heart, so that's almost my full day's allowance in one gulp. Guessing this is OK as a one-off, provided I try not to go mad with drinking through the rest of the day?

I plan to phone my heart failure nurse to ask her advice, but everything is happening very quickly/last minute so any insight from you guys would be great in the meantime.

Thanks

[Wodney1966]

Wow 1 5 fluid intake that’s not a lot is it

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star in reply to Wodney1966]

No, I'm always thirsty!

[Wodney1966 in reply to laura_dropstitch]

I’m on 2 litre a day and love my cups of tea 👍👍👍👍

[Heartlady1]

Hi Laura sorry to hear you are having to have further tests now for something else. I would definitely explain about your device before going ahead with the scan.

I had a CT scan before my device was fitted. This was for my heart so they injected beta blockers to slow my heart down and also injected me with dye and then put me in the machine.. .. which I would describe as a polo. You get very close to themachine and then it whirres while it does the scan.

I hope all goes well with the tests but they should definitely be told about your device.. good luck hun xxx

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star in reply to Heartlady1]

Thanks, Karen, I'm sure it will all be fine, I think my poor GP is just terrified of missing anything with me now!

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star in reply to Heartlady1]

It was just like being fed through a polo, you were right! Thought of you when I was all gowned up

[Heartlady1 in reply to laura_dropstitch]

Hope it all went well today... and that you get your results very quickly. It' always a worry not knowing. But great that they have got you checked super quick. Glad you recognised my descript. Giant polo machine 😂😂

Big hugs xx

[Twobells in reply to Heartlady1]

Get this checked out, the fluid thing doesn't sound right

[Jicci7]

I'm on 1.2 ltr / day. I think.it is worth it to get the full bladder. It is during the day so there is time for the fluid to br passed.

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star in reply to Jicci7]

Thanks, you are probably right. I usually take an extra water tablet on a Monday morning, might save it for after the scan, give the water a helping hand out

[Prada47]

Sensible to speak to Heart Nurse they tend to be up to speed on things like this !!! You take care and don't over do things. I once spent almost 2 hours in a Gamma Knife machine like an MRI Scanner and had my Rod Stewart CD playing which sent me to sleep !!!

Take care wonky heart person

Regards

Frank W a member of the Wonky Hearts Club (open to all Heart People )

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star in reply to Prada47]

When I had my MRI scans I had a choice of upbeat or downbeat music. I chose upbeat the first time and was forced to listen to Robbie Williams for an hour or so. I HATE Robbie Williams, so for my second MRI I chose downbeat. Yep, that was Robbie bloody Williams too 😂

Thank you for your reply, Frank, they always make me smile xx

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to laura_dropstitch]

Hi Laura. In a sedated state I said ‘Heroic’, when asked what sort of music I wanted. It was b***** Wagner!

That was bad enough, but the next angio, I said they hadn’t asked me my music preference. They said ‘no need, we have it on file.’

B***** Wagner again!

X

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star in reply to Kristin1812]

Ha! That's so funny Though I'm kind of impressed they had so many genres covered, not just easy listening, disco etc. I wonder how far you could push your requests? "Melancholic avant garde with undertones of modern jazz, please."

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to laura_dropstitch]

Love it! Lol.

[Prada47]

This is so good, light hearted with a sense of accepting the reality of our situations.

Frank W

[Heartlady1]

I was given the option of which radio station..... at least that way I gotta variety of music..... bit of radio 2 for me 😁 x

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star in reply to Heartlady1]

Lovely bit of Ken Bruce

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Because of Type I diabetes there had to be a bit of planning for both the angiogram (fasting beforehand) and the CT scan (risk of nausea). Its best to ring the respective departments beforehand as they usually have experience of these conditions. With the CT one it was particularly useful as someone assumed Type II!

The fluid restriction sounds horrible. I had to do a 24 hour urine collection prior to a full bladder ultrasound. The GP said I was the joint holder of the surgery record as just shy of 4 litres! Probably an effect of the beer as a student!

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star in reply to MichaelJH]

What a great record to hold! 😂 I managed to speak to everyone I needed today so am all sorted, I think.

[Heartlady1 in reply to laura_dropstitch]

Hope all went well Laura x

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star]

Hi, just updating this post with the answers I received today. No issue with CRT-D and CT scan (though I will, of course, make sure the radiologist is aware) and OK to drink all the water, just to take an extra water tablet if I notice any fluid retention afterwards. Sorted! 😀

[Freebird4ever]

I hope all goes well today

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star in reply to Freebird4ever]

Thank you, scan was fine and device not an issue

[Freebird4ever]

Ok great news 👍