I've been referred for a CT Scan on my Abdomen, Pelvis and Pancreas as a final procedure to make sure the pain isn't anything nefarious and is my Liver issue.
Has anyone been sent for one and did you need a contrast injection as mine has that but I read you don't need one for this areas? Also is a CT Scan safe as I asked for an MRI but was told a CT Scan is better.
I’ve always had contrast, gives more detail. CT is safe and preferable to MRI in my opinion as much quicker and not claustrophobic!
Perfectly safe and yes, there is no need to worry about the injection either. One thing I would mention - make sure you know where the nearest loo is, as the procedure does make you want to wee immediately afterwards!
I had one recently on the exact areas they are scanning you and I had the contrast dye! It was fine and didn’t hurt just felt like a was having a wee it was a warm sensation xx
Had hundreds of CT scans always with contrast dye, the only reason you wouldn't have the contrast dye is if you have kidney problems, but the scan doesn't show much without the dye. I've never had a mri scan.Good luck
Hilary
I have had two over the last few months. One with, one without contrast. Neither took very long, were painless, and the staff were very nice. They like to do a contrast one as it shows much more detail, and that one was even post op for me without trouble . Hope this helps.
Can I ask what pain it is they are investigating please? Pain in liver area or general abdomen?
I have a pain in the right side so they are just checking that areas as well as my pancreas and abdomen. It's just routine to make sure nothing sinister is going on and it's just my liver pain.
Yes I get liver pain..is it like an ache?
Yeah you can call it a dull ache. I have a high pain threshold so it's more of an annoyance. The liver doesn't have pain receptors but it can cause the area to ache or cause other areas to hurt. In all fairness I was lucky I got the pain as that is what made me get checked out.
What is the liver issue? I have horrible horrible pain in my right side, and I have had any and all blood tests and scans known, scopes to come, but nothing shows up. What is your know liver issue?
I have F3 Liver Fibrosis. Ultrasound showed fatty liver and bloods came back fine. Wasn't until they did a Fibroscan that they diagnosed Fibrosis.
Mine is Nodular Regenerative Hyperplasia. Unfortunately it doesn't show on scans or bloods so only a liver biopsy can diagnose it. Do you have any other symptoms? Other than pain?
Also is yoyr pain always there? Or come and go?
It's always there apart from 1 day where I thought it had gone for it to return the next day. Had pain on Xmas day of all days. I initially had a endoscopy which resulted in me being diagnosed with a rare condition called GAVE. My gastro doc knew there was a connection with Liver issues with people diagnosed with GAVE so sent me for a fibroscan. Apart from the pain I have no other symptoms.
I have F3 Fibrosis so luckily it's been caught in time. Bloods came back fine so no hepatitis or other issues from that. The last piece is the CT Scan to rule out any issues around where I'm having pain such as my pancreas and possible liaisons on my liver. Though I have had an ultrasound so would of hoped if there was that would be picked up on that if there was anything glaring. I hope it's just my liver causing the pain.
I'm loosing weight and exercising and improved my diet but have been told it can take months or years to heal so I'm doing everything I can to help my liver.
I see. Yes I'm the same as you ...I try to eat much healthier although I eat very little anyway as I'm always bloated and uncomfortable so mainly eat fruit and vegetables...but I'm not sure I feel any better for it to be honest. But I have had bowel cancer aswell
I'm working on sorting my Liver out and then hopefully loosing weight will help with my Gastritis and GERD. I only have myself to blame for letting myself get into this mess with my weight and diet. The positive I can take is that I can still do something about it and hopefully make my health better. Sorry to hear about you having had cancer. I hope your wording means you beat it.
Mostly they do with and without contrast to see the difference the dye give the contrast to check for anomalies in your internal organs. CT and MRI both tell different things. CT is an Xray and MRI large magnets with RF (radio waves). If u have issues with blood vessels issue it will show up in MRI and if you have tumor will will show up in a contrast CT. With a MRI cannot tell a fracture but a CT can. And, main benefit of CT is that its fast. MRI can take up a lot of time depending on the slices.
My issue isn't the actual scan but the injection. Do they inject near the area being scanned or into a vein? I'm not good with needles. As an example I did a full colonoscopy without pain meds (in all fairness I didn't need any as it was fine).
It's a cannula into your hand/arm.
I've never had a cannula before. Crazy that I don't mind them sticking a tube up where the sun doesn't shine but stick a needle in a vein and I sweat like I'm in a sauna.
Just close your eyes and let them get on with it, I am no fan of needles either and I recently had surgery and just had to let them take charge. Hubby was near on phobic before he began his liver journey now 30+ endoscopies with sedation, countless blood tests over 10 years, a colonoscopy with sedation, 2 x CT scans with contrast, 2 x MRI with contrast later he just goes with the flow - he doesn't look when they are doing the cannulation and it's in before you know it.
I'd rather have a needle than the whole film crew going up the nether regions i've got to say. 
Best wishes,
Katie
Ct scan show cirrhosis?
Liver sensitivity of CT scans
Ct scan results 
Sent for ct scan 
