Ct angiogram

[U24ever]

I am due to have a ct angiogram to investigate pulsatile tinnitus, I am apprehensive regarding the intravenous contrast. I am worried about having a reaction, does anyone have any knowledge of this procedure 🙏

[SueX]

Yes, I had one recently (CT Angio with contrast). I also had two MRIs - one last Friday and one this Monday (one head, the other cervical spine) and both of those were with contrast. I believe there are different types of contrast agents but I have NEVER had a problem. Would it help to describe the process? So you are having a CT I think you said. So you get changed, do the safety questionnaire and then they will put a canula (might have spelt that wrong) in your arm ready to injec the contrast. You are not attached to anything, you just have the canula in your arm. Then you go in the scanner for some 'pre contrast' images. Thats' really quite quick. The CT scanner is large (unlike the MRI!) and fast, so you just move through the scanner in probably under a minute and images are taken and you try to hold your breath. Then they inject the contrast into the canula. They inject saline first just to check the canula is properly placed and then the contrast which takes seconds. Again, you are not attached to anything. You can, sometimes, get a slightly warm feeling but I had no reaction at all. Then you go back in the scanner and more images are taken. Then you get off the scanner, change and...that's it! They usually ask you to wait around for a few minutes just to be certain there's no reaction to the contrast. It's very very rare. Then afterwards you feel normal but you get the instruction to drink more that day to flush the contrast out. Good luck! PS I have pulsatile tinnitus too.

[U24ever in reply to SueX]

Thank you so much Sue for the detailed information that has helped me a great deal. 👍 much appreciated.

[Hairyshark]

Iodine is the contrast agent, you'll get a warning that you may feel like you need to pee, but you don't. It's innocuous don't fret all will be fine

[U24ever in reply to Hairyshark]

Thank you for letting me know it does help 👍

[PABLR in reply to U24ever]

Came here to say exactly that! Yes, you do feel as though you want to pee, but that feeling doesn't last long, and you don't. I've had several CTs and MRIs all with contrast and there's never been an issue at all.

[U24ever in reply to PABLR]

Thank you for this reassuring post much appreciated.

[mark835]

Hi which hospital is undertaking the procedure?

[U24ever in reply to mark835]

Stafford County Hospital

[mark835 in reply to U24ever]

Did you have to wait a long time for the appointment?

[U24ever]

Yes approximately 3 months

[Austen17]

Hi. I was quite (actually very) apprehensive about the contrast but it was absolutely fine. SueX 's description pretty much describes what happened to me. I did feel a bit hot for a short while but they warned me beforehand so I was fine. It's all over quite quickly. Sending best wishes.

[U24ever in reply to Austen17]

I too am feeling very apprehensive, so thank you so much for your reply.