Update again

[Tay100]

Hello lovely people, well after six failed attempts to pop a cannula in for the contrast dye for my CT Scan today, they gave up. My veins just kept collapsing. They said it wasn’t ideal but hopefully it will show up anything horrid growing.

Has anyone else had this happen and does it affect what they can see and the results.

I’m seeing my consultant on Monday so I’m hoping my raising blood results are just a blip.

Big gentle hugs to all xx

[TarbonNZ]

I have had a similar problem the last two times, however luckily they have managed to get it in on the 4th attempt both times. (I was a bit of a pin cushion tho). Speaking to my Oncologist he said that the IV contrast through the veins was the important one from his perspective. They have not done a double contrast the last two scans I have had, so I queried it. Rather I have just had to drink plenty of water to make sure I was fully hydrated. I was worried when they were having so much trouble, as I had not had the media contrast, so there was not a second option !. I understand that the oral one is commonly used for abdomen and pelvis, so you should be fine. Best of luck Therese

[bamboo89]

Lots of us can't have the contrast dye anyway because of reaction problems; my oncologist said the scan is much clearer and easier to interpret if contrast is used, but a skilled radiographer familiar with cancer is still able to interpret a CT produced without contrast reasonably well.

[Neona]

I have had to have some of my scans without contrast because of high creatinine. I am on a clinical trial. The scans without contrast showed very slightly bigger tumours than the scan with contrast as they were less well defined. I noticed quite an improvement when I had the contrast again.

[LittleSan]

I can't have the contrast because I'm allergic to it. One radiographer told me interpreting the results is more complex and takes longer but gives good results still. She used the analogy of watching snooker in black and white instead of colour. If you know the position of the balls in the first place and concentrate, then you still can play with accuracy.

Good luck. 💐😘