Yesterday I had a coronary CT scan with contrast also was given two tablets under the tongue of nitroglycerin. I have had a CT with contrast before years ago when I had cancer but it was not like this.Everyone told me that oh it's not that bad a few seconds of feeling a really bad hot flash and maybe a feeling of emptying your bladder which I remember well from my previous scan but was not really uncomfortable. When I was given my second injection of contrast yesterday after the nitroglycerin I felt like I was on absolute fire and my head felt like it was going to explode, also a feeling like I was being strangled or my throat was closing off, scared me to no end. Did they do something wrong? Or give me too much? or is this typical to feel like you are probably going to take your last breath I'm very aggravated and never want this done again!!
I still feel unwell. Had a headache most of the day yesterday. Still have it today. Also woke up this morning with a rash or hives on my face arms and hands, some on my left side. If anyone has had a similar experience to this I would love to hear from you or if you are a nurse who has some idea of what could have happened would love to hear from you I plan to call the Imaging Center that did my test and find out their opinion but I would also like yours thanks for your replies!!
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Autumn822
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I am sorry this time you had such a bad experience others may have had to and share their experience
It may not have been anything they did wrong just for some reason you reacted this way this time and it is a good idea to phone them and get some answers and to ask for it to be added to your notes for future reference just incase which I hope not you have to have one done again
hi I had exactly the same experience as you, I had to sit in a room for 30 mins after the nurses brought me a cup of tea. I have lots of ct with contrast and get that warm feeling but never like that. I wondered whether it was the meds they give you to slow your heart down plus the nitro. I was so hot I thought there was something wrong with the scanner. As I say I have yearly ct with contrast and some do make me feel warm and pee sensation but nothing compared to that I thought I was having a bad reaction.
Hi, I have had two CT's with contrast dye. The first one my feet were on fire which caused my heart to race. The second one it was my scrotum. Both were uncomfortable but passed within a couple of minutes. The second one I was a bit wobbly but that passed after 10 mins. Both I had headaches, simar to Caffeine withdrawal headaches.
I have had CT scans with no problems whatsoever. Everyone gets the 'warm' feeling, but as you have a rash and hives, I feel you should see your GP. Sounds like an allergy to me. I have had migraines with aura after my angiograms.
I had the same reaction as you but I didn’t have the tablets. I went super hot and flushed all over and they kept me on the scanner for ages as they didn’t want me to faint when I got up. I had to stay in the department for hours having tea and biscuits until they agreed to let me go home. I looked like a tomato for the rest of the day and couldn’t cool down. I also had a headache which I put down to overheating. I had a rash the next day but it slowly disappeared over a few days. I was told to keep drinking plenty of fluids to flush my system out.
Keep drinking and hopefully you will feel better soon x
I also had a CT scan with dye Wednesday afternoon. Took ages to find veins for the two cannulas so my arm is very bruised at the moment. I wasn’t given any tablets but had a beta blocker put in then the dye. Had the very hot feeling which felt like all the inside of my head was hot but it disappeared after a few minutes. I felt a bit dizzy getting up as I’d been lying down for a long time. Sat down for 5 mins then they checked my BP and heart rate and both were ok. Sorry you had an odd experience and hopefully you feel better now. Maybe it was a reaction to the tablets? I’d ring the department and ask them for advice.
I am also sensitive to CT contrast. My reactions however are slightly different to yours. A part from the hot flush which they should explain beforehand, my BP drops, I experience dizzinesses and vomiting. As a result, I cannot have the CT contrast anymore. This is the one containing iodine I believe. I have it on my records so that the ultrasound department are aware. I too would notify the department where you had your scan so that they can at least make a note of it incase you need a similar scan in the future.
I have also had one of these scans with contrast and to be quite frank, found the process quite pleasing - a warm, painless warmth although there was the fear of involuntary venting!
Perhaps what happened with you was just one of those human reactions, down to how you are feeling, your state of mind or the medication or a myriad of maybe's.
What did the team say to you at the time - I assume you mentioned something on the day?
Hi, I have had many CT and angiogram scans with contrast. Some I react to and some I don't: just the usual warm feeling. My reaction is very similar to yours in terms of feeling like a volcano has erupted inside me, blood pressure drops, so feel very feint, and headaches/ migraine follow. No rash though. The dye used for angiograms has given my worse reactions, but now they use the lowest dose possible. I've been told that the type of contrast dye and the amount used varies with what they are looking for. Do make sure that your reaction is in your hospital records. If possible, with the dye that was used. Then they can that into account should you need another contrast scan in the future. Fingers crossed that your rash disappears quickly.
I had a CT SCAN about 5 years ago. They warned me that I might have a warm feeling. That was an understatement. My whole pelvic area felt on fire. It remained warm for the rest of the day. I still felt a bit odd the next day. Got up and went in the shower. As soon as the water hit my body I felt unbelievable pain in the area that had been burning the day before. I even had shooting pains up my backside. I was on the bed with tears in my eyes I was in so much pain. Contacted the doctor. Over the next few days my pelvic area developed a raised red rash over the whole area which eventually had to be treated with cream and steroids. The rash was even on my private parts. I saw the same doctor a number of times. He did some investigating with colleagues and discovered that this can happen very occasionally after contrast dye. When I had an angiogram recently before my mitral valve replacement the doctor gave me a very low dose together with a steroid and antihistamine which was ok. It is on my medical records now that I have an allergy to contrast dye.
Wow! Sorry you had that experience. I'm gonna talk to my doctor in the morning and let him know I want my experience on my record. Thank you for sharing your story with me. ⚘️
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