I am having a Ct scan on Friday as they suspect OC. It says CT abdomen & pelvis with contrast. What does the with contrast mean?

[Wendy55]

[bosue]

Hi Wendy, contrast means you will be given a dye, might have to drink some mixed with water before and then given a dye through a canular when having the scan, it gives a clearer picture.hope all goes well. Love Sue x

[MargaretJ]

I am an old hand at these CT scans. You go an hour before and have to drink a litre of fluid. I used to get an aniseed flavoured contrast but the last couple of times it has just been water. Then they put a cannula in (a bit like the thing they insert to take blood) and just before the scan they drip a radio opaque dye in. You get a metallic taste in your mouth and an odd sensation in the genital area (at my age & living alone I could be persuaded to pay for it LOL) and the scan does not last more than a few minutes. Not bad at all!

[ScardyCat40 in reply to MargaretJ]

Margaret you just made me smile. I had iodine today and got that familiar warm rush and thought this isn't so bad lol

[Hidden]

Hi Wendy

Like Margaret I have had several of these. Nothing to worry about. I quite liked the odd warm sensation around the genital area as well. Does that make me weird?? Hope it goes well.

Chris x x

[Wendy55]

Thanks for your replies this is all new to me. How long does it take for the taste and funny sensations to wear off ?

[BusyLizzie]

Hi Wendy,

I never noticed the taste in my mouth - the warm feeling around the genital area though, I have only noticed during the scan, so no prolonged effect. It feels like you have wet yourself. LOL! Certainly not a s@xy feeling to me (Margaret?).

With a CT scan though, it will tell you when to breath in, hold your breath and breath out. Also you will want to remain fairly still, but they go to reasonable lengths to make you comfy before you start. I think the actual scan lasts about 15-20 mins.

Love Lizzie

X