CT colonography

[gillyflower7]

Hi, I'm due to have a CT colonography in a couple of weeks. Has anyone had any experience of this as don't know what to expect.

[dedeottie]

yes I had one a few years ago. Nothing to worry about. You still have to do the bowel prep over the previous couple of days but it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting. I was given picolax and this seemed to be less onerous than some of the other preps I had been told about.

The scan itself is not painful but feels a bit odd as they put some air in to the bowels so they can see properly. That felt strange but not at all painful.

I think I would much prefer this to a colonoscopy. I believe the downside is that if they find anything they want to remove or biopsy they can’t do it there and then whereas with a colonoscopy, they can.

Hope this is helpful. X

[gillyflower7 in reply to dedeottie]

Yes, thanks very much!

[Purplewoman]

hi yes I had one after two failed colonoscopies due to too much pain. Wasn’t given the usual prep something much milder as they said I didn’t need to be cleared like that. The tube only went just inside. I was told the gas /air they would use was different to colonoscopy( my pain problems before) and if I asked them to stop because of pain ,I could tell them to stop at any time, the air would disperse immediately .I had to get in different positions and when I was on my stomach, I presumed due to the air ,that was uncomfortable, but I never needed to ask them to stop.

[CockeyMoor]

I had one in 2015 because I had a failed Sigmoidoscopy. It was fine. More comfortable than a Colonoscopy. Only thing as mentioned is the movement / positions of the body through the CT machine and all the holding arms above the head. It felt like the bowel was being filled with liquid in my case but not sure if I have imagined that. I do remember they put a dye in via the vein on my hand which can apparently make you feel sick but it was fine .

[Minty00]

Hi there like the other replies I to had one of these in 2018 for diverticular disease for a couple of days before the procedure you do the powel prep and of course one day on low residue food diet the following day liquids only then of course i was given picolax to clear my bowels which went well. The procedure is painless it consisted of an injection of contrast dye that kind of makes you feel warm then a tube is inserted in your backside to inflate your abdomen. Finally u go onto the CT scanner where you will be told to lat on your back , sides and front , its very quick and over in minutes

[bungi1961]

I had 2 colonoscopies in a month 1st time I really did over think it far too much as I knew that my bowels had to be as clear and clean as possible so for 2/3 days before having it done I ate very little to try not to poop as much but I was wrong about that as the stuff still came out of me even water "YUKKIE" have you been told not to take any IRON vitamin tablets also for at least a week before if not I would do so !!! as they may not get a true reading OK as in my case I over thought it but when I had mine I was facing the screen on the TV monitor but that was like watching something like you do while sat home on a normal TV programme but the hospital or clinic where you are having it done should give you the information when you get the PREP stuff you take beforehand OK All I can say is try not 2 worry too much and if you do try ringing the place where you are getting it done and they should be able to put your mind at rest I wish you well and for a speedy recovery take care please x

[Oxygen_guy]

My advice is to add some extra fruit juice to your lax prep. Secondly if you don't like to experience the slight niggling pain or discomfort then ask for gas and air, This will help all you will feel is some push and pulling and a slight sensation of something in your stomach. But there's nothing to worry about. I had mine 3 years ago. Oh I don't look at the TV screens.

[bungi1961]

Hello to you I had one done earlier this year I had the prep stuff ( dye ) beforehand if you follow it to the letter and follow the diet sheet also you should be OK the PREP stuff can be unpleasant but if you get the outcome that helps you get better you should be OK that procedure is far better than colonoscopy and if you remain as calm as you can it should be fine I had 2 colonoscopies in a month and was in discomfort with each of those but the one you are having can be less invasive well that's all I can say and hope that has put your mind at ease!!!

[grandylynda]

Yes, I had one after a failed colonoscopy. The prep is not at all so vicious and the procedure itself much more bearable. As someone else said, the only thing is they can't remove anything they find during it. They found a small polyp on mine and the surgeon wanted to remove it. I said no but agreed he could ask the opinion of a specialist in these things. He said to leave it but re scan in 1 year. I was rather reluctant gut did have the 2nd scan. No change. Haven't heard any more and that was over 12 months ago. Good luck

[Emaych61]

I’m really interested in hearing about this as my gastro cons told me in January that I had been removed from the hospital’s five year bowel screening programme (my mother died as a result of colorectal cancer in her early seventies and I’ve had three adenomas removed from my bowel in the past nine years) because the feeling was I was at greater risk from the colonoscopies than I was from getting colorectal cancer (I have a difficult bowel; long, floppy and loopy). If there’s a viable alternative I’m surprised it hasn’t been suggested (always assuming the reason they gave for removing me from the list is the correct one and it it’s not just a convenient substitute for “due to cuts we’re having to prioritise and you don’t make it on to the list”. We do know that I’m allergic to the iodine contrast dye they often use, but I’ve been told in the past that they can cope with that.

[gillyflower7 in reply to Emaych61]

Hi, I'm having the CT colonography next Thursday, have had three previous colonoscopies but found them very painful because of bowel inflammation. I had an adenoma removed during the second one. I begin the bowel prep on Tuesday, but I think it does contain iodine contrast and I will have some more injected before the procedure. But it is well worth you enquiring about as an alternative, less invasive test. G

[gillyflower7]

Just wanted to thank everyone who took the time to reply to my post. I was so worried and it helped so much to hear everyones' experiences. I had the CT colonography today and it wasn't too bad, just a bit of pain from the air put inside. The gastrografin caused some nausea, but I got through it!

[asenath in reply to gillyflower7]

Hi gillyflower7, Glad you went on OK, I had one earlier this year and I think the worst part was not knowing, and the bowel prep.