Ct scan

[Ella1992]

Hi has anybody had ct scan so I finally got my phone call today they wanted to give me camrea down my bottom or throat wouldn't offer me to be put to sleep so because I said no he off3rd me ct scan what can they see with this ?

[MOLLYMILO007]

I've had 2 of the ct scans one with contrast where they put dye in your vien painless ..both painless oner in minuetsIt can see everything on the area they are looking at..I had mine for blood I'm.my faceas and I didnt want the camera up my bottom they found a small cyst on my pancreas but been back and nothing has changed so just monitoring it so yes they can spot lots of things if anything is wrong x

[bantam12]

The problem with a CT is that if they don’t get good enough images or they see something that needs further investigation you still have to go for the colonoscopy so back to square one ! A colonoscopy is really not that bad and if you have sedation it can be all done without you realising.

[Ella1992 in reply to bantam12]

He didn't offer me sedation at this time he said I can't be awake no way

[bantam12 in reply to Ella1992]

The Dr said you “can’t be awake” but they won’t offer a GA ? Why can’t you be awake for the procedure ? It’s simple and quick and sedation and pain relief is always offered for colonoscopies, doubtful you would get a GA.

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Hi Ella1992,

Thank you for posting on Colon Cancer Connected. I see you’ve been having some issues for about 9 months now. The issue here is that the CT scan, colonoscopy, and the endoscopy all have their benefits. There are reasons that one of these is chosen versus using the other. I must say that the colonoscopy is the absolute gold standard for getting a close view of what’s going on and thus would offer you some good answers.

I’m not quite sure what’s being offered to you but I get a colonoscopy every year with sedation. The actual colonoscopy lasts about 15 minutes and after that you’re just recovering from the sedation for 30-40 min before you can go home. You usually have to have someone drive you. To be fair, I also get an annual CT scan because the CT scan is looking for things that colonoscopy can’t see. And that is mostly what’s going on outside and around the colon. Every three years I get an endoscopy and that’s just looking at my stomach and the upper part of the small intestine right after the stomach. That is my surveillance procedures so if something does pop up with me, they will be catching it early or preventing it all together.

I’m not sure why you’re not being offered sedation? I always get the sedation and I don’t feel a thing. To be honest, it’s the most relaxing experience. It is so relaxing actually look forward to it. I do hope you are able to get a colonoscopy done as I believe that will get you some good answers. Please keep us up to speed on how things are going for you. I do hope you get on a path to being well very soon. It looks like you’ve been dealing with this for a while.

Thank you,

~Tom, GCCA Survivor - Colon Cancer Connected Site Administrator.

Just a reminder - this group is here to offer support, share experiences, and offer our thoughts - but this is not medical advice, and you should always consult your medical professional(s). Additionally, for all emergencies, seek urgent medical care, never delay.

[Wexford1968]

I really do recommend you have the colonoscopy if there’s something wrong they can spot it with a colonoscopy and it’s not painful with sedation I even had one without sedation and it wasn’t so bad, the worst part is the prep drink you take the day before it’s disgusting. I hope everything works out well and god bless

[Sooty712]

I had a ct enterography done last month for blood on my stools everytime i eat certain foods after i get a evening full of noisy gurgling in my stomach then blood fully coating the stools i did not want a colonoscopy due to me feeling worrid about one the scan was a very positive experience although they found nothing which is good in some ways they do still want to do more tests which may in the end have to be a colonoscopy ( cross bridge if and when )but it has helped to rule out some things.Goodluck if you go hope all goes well.

[BryonP]

The problem with a ct scan is if they detect something, they will still need to carry out a colonoscopy to take biopsies. I’ve had 5 colonoscopies over the years and although uncomfortable a sedation is normally given so it is not so bad. My last colonoscopy detected stage 3 bowel cancer that was quickly removed by an operation. That was 6 years ago. Luckily I didn’t need chemotherapy.

My advise for what it’s worth, is have the colonoscopy.