CT scan compared to colonoscopy

[Calamity64]

Over the last 4 years ive had 2 colonoscopies, end of 2017 and oct 2019 but still having lowerleft abdomen pain during the day and my gastro consultant this week is sending me for a ct scan, but ive been told ct scans can see all organs and bowel area but with a colonoscopy the bowel needs to be clear but in a ct scan it wont be as cleared wth the drink you have before a colonoscopy clears this area to give a clearer image of the bowel, anyone had both these procedures.

[BabsyWabsy]

Because the technology is completely different, you won't need a clear out for a CT scan.

[Calamity64 in reply to BabsyWabsy]

Hi, have you had both procedures for abdomen pain? I'm 57 and had this pain on and off for a few years now but it's been the worst over last 8months and every day more or less, I do have worry, stress and anxiety.

[BabsyWabsy in reply to Calamity64]

No, I have only had a colonoscopy, but have a friend o works in medical imagery

[Krisbetty]

I have had both procedures for the ct scan i had to drink a litre of water mixed with a medication over an hour this was done whilst waiting for the scan. This highlights the colon, they also inject a die too. My ct showed up I had divicultor desease bizarrely a small herina, a small lump on my lung but not anything to worry about thou. It also showed that my ovaries were fine as well as it showed I had osteoarthritis in both hips. It allows a more precise view of your internal organs and can highlight any problems. Don't worry about the procedure its quite relaxing.

[Calamity64 in reply to Krisbetty]

Thanks so much krisbetty, are you in the uk or usa?

[Krisbetty in reply to Calamity64]

Im in the uk. I had my ct scan 1st then my gp decided i needed a colonoscopy which thankfully they found i had 5 polyps all removed and all benign.

[Calamity64 in reply to Krisbetty]

I'm 57 and been having pain for last 6 years on and off but since last October the pain has been every day more or less but nothing at night, my colonoscopy showed clear and no polyps but gas in the bowel, I recently had ultrasound and all ok apart from a small fibroid, as I'm still having the pain my gastro consultant is sending me for the CT scan, since ladt October my worries, stress and anxiety levels av been terrible with issues in my house and this pain.

[Devlin26]

Hi, I have had both. The CT scan first from left hand ab pain. This showed up an impacted bowel as it was still full. Afterwards I was sent for a colonoscopy which came back fine so no explanation for the impaction and no info as to what to do about it. good luck

[Calamity64 in reply to Devlin26]

What is the preparation for a ct scan of the abdomen bowel area and is this the pelvis area too? Will I need to take a clear out drink the day before or a diet for two days before the scan? If I'm not cleared out enough and there is impacted poop in the colon can the CT scan still see clear enough if there are polyps present, I'm worrying my self much and not got the scan date yet.

[Devlin26 in reply to Calamity64]

No prep, I had an injection to slow things down but nothing to worry about. Mine picked up the impaction as I was not cleared out. No idea if it would pick up polyps.

[Pcards]

Hi, I’ve had 3 colonoscopies over the last few years. All were clear. I was told I have a very twisty bowel. Like you, I have lower left pain and a lot of wind, but mine is mostly in the evening and at night. I’m trying Buscopan at the moment, but don’t find it very helpful.

Have you discovered anything that helps?

Good luck with your scan.

[Trec]

I’ve had both and yes prep the day before for colonoscopy but fluid once there for CT scan. Mine was abdominal to check for ischaemic colitis. I’m in the UK.

[Calamity64 in reply to Trec]

Hi trec, yes I'm in the uk and did your ct scan check the abdomen and pelvic area, was it all OK?

[Calamity64 in reply to Calamity64]

I have not had my scan yet but it will be the abdomen and pelvic area, my pain goes at night and I'm OK when I'm asleep then when I wake it progresses during the day again. Been on and off like this since last October.

[Trec]

Yes it did and it was ok thanks. The colonoscopy eventually was too, though the person doing it asked a nurse to ring to see if Dr someone was still in the building as she had a problem. This freaked me a bit especially as whoever it was had obviously left! At the end she said all was fine so I queried the problem she had had and she said she couldn’t get the scope around a corner but then managed it - due to very loopy colon which she said was probably due to to a history of constipation. It did make the procedure a bit painful though and I’d prefer a scan any day! About a year later I had a Sigmoidoscopy as I was bleeding quite heavily and they found I had Colitis and suspected it was Ischaemic hence the later scan but it was ok. So I was just left with IBS C/M as many of us are - but better than the possible alternative! Good luck.