For chronic constipation (which GP will not accept is due to thyroid) I am having one of these next week. I am unable to have a normal colonoscopy due to having a tortuous colon.
If anyone has had the CT version, I would be very grateful to hear what it is like. I am a tad nervous, especially of having my bowel inflated.
Thank you 
No need to panic my dear. It is a pretty painless procedure. You will be given two different things to drink, with instructions on when to take them. You will also be fasted, as the radiologist needs your colon to be as empty as possible. When you get there a tube will be inserted in the back end so that your colon can be inflated with air. Then they take the pictures. The imaging takes only a few minutes. Once finished you can go about your normal daily activities although you will be a bit gassy. Hope this helps ☺
Brilliant, thank you for that. I think I am also worried as I have a bad back. The last time I had an MRI and had to lie still on my back for 30 mins, I literally could not move without excruciating pain for 4 months afterwards (in addition to my normal chronic pain levels).
Just had my CT this am as I couldn't do full starve etc for colonoscopy. I have hashis and ME, CFS so looked at all the drugs carefully. I discussed the iodine injection and gastrografin preparation with senior staff in radiography as I respond very badly to iodine. I didn't have to have it. I was offered another preparation but that also contained something that I am sensitive to so in the end as starving and preps would have risk to my health I have simply altered my diet as best I could and used mag citrate. I also had no buscopan or tube/blown air. Hoping that the CT is enough and don't need the full colonoscopy as a result of their scan results.
So look at the info they give you and talk to them if necessary. The nurse in the clinic had told me that I would simply have to do all the preparation stages and get on with it. Not actually listening to me! BTW with magnesium citrate things got much better when I was constipated but the better result was from high levels of B12. Do you know your B12 levels before any form of supplementation?
I commented on your post a few weeks ago, recommending you talked to them. Glad you have had it.
My B12 is fine. I am really interested in what the procedure is like using bog standard method.
I am having a slightly different bowel prep (Picolax instead of Gastrofrafin) as I as hyperthyroid just when the CT was due and it was cancelled to next week.
Hi Ajs, I have had my bowel inflated when having pictures taken. Wind in the bowel was uncomfortable. I found the best way to relieve the discomfort quickly was to get into a bath of deep water (plug the hole in the bath side up) fill high. Shoulders down and hips elevated. Wind escapes at the highest point. Warm water is also soothing. Good luck for a speedy recovery.
Thank you. Unfortunately, due to my back problem I am not able to have a bath. Last time I had a good soak must have been about eight years ago 
I do shower though 
Would you be able to assume the position described by using pillows or cushions on the bed? Or making sure that the mattress had a raised base and adding abdominal massage? It seems from what I read that the procedure itself is relatively brief but the gas is an issue. My scan was just two passes of the machine with holding my breathe twice. Longer to set up than to actually do.
I may be able to do something like that. My back does not let me bend so I am unable to actually get in/out of a bath.
I find that if I have trapped wind I just lie on my right side and it makes its way to the exit quite nicely on its own.
I will give that a try too :-). I find 'winding' myself like a baby works a treat
Colonoscopy under general anaesthetic? 
Can CT head scan damage thyroid?
CT with Contrast dye
Colonoscopy, fasting and levo
Contrast dye for CT scan
