If you've had a ct scan, tell me about it.

BubblyToes

I have one tomorrow of my abdominal and pelvic areas and I'm freaked out.

Heidisean

Hey, I had one and it is totally non-invasive. You lay on a table very still and it moves back and forth taking pictures of what they want. GL what is going on?

BubblyToes

We're not sure. I'm thinking it's a cyst, but really don't know.

monchichi

I had an IV, laid very still, the thing moved around, and it was over before I knew it!  It was very very easy.  Good luck

michaeltrish

I've had several and they aren't bad at all.  I really hope this turns out to be something simple.  Keep us posted.

DandR

I had one and it was no big deal....The most painful part for me was climbing on and off the table because I was in so much pain...

oh and I was nursing....and for whatever reason I was full and let down at that moment, so when I got OFF the table, my hospital gown was SOAKED...and the male CT scan tech started to ask what was wrong, then must have realized, and turned red......I ended up having to shove maxi pads in my bra...the giant hospital pads....

SOoooo, that is the only memorable part of my ct scan...the scan itself, no biggie.

OH...and the bill for it was memorable..but we had met our deductable so no biggie.

KrisBriMcBunny

Piece of cake....lay on the table and you will go into a donut looking machine feet first.  If you are gonna need a dye contrast you will get an IV....the stuff makes you feel very flush and warm and like you are gonna pee your pants but it only last a few seconds.

 

wellfleet04

Ditto KrisBri.  I also had to drink some NASTY thing, but that was because mine was an abdominal CT.  For my head CT I just laid there, no IV, no peeing sensation, very easy and quick.

isabella22

I've had one and I work with them

It is a pretty simple imaging technique. It is a skinny donut (unlike an MR which is a long cyliner) so you won't be claustophobic.

You may go in feet or head first, laying on a table.  You will most likely be on your back.

They may give you IV contrast, if so, you can kind of feel it, but it shouldn't hurt.

The scan will be very quick, for a pelvis, probably less than a minute, it depends on the type of scanner they have.  They may do more than 1, again it depends on your scan.

Because of the radiation, you will be in the room alone during the scan, the technicians will be outside, seeing you through a window and monitoring you via a speaker as well.

Here is a picture of one if you want to see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CT_scanner

Good luck, I hope everything is ok.

A-baybride

I've had two in that area.  One was when I had a kidney infection and I had to drink two big bottles of contrast fluid and of course couldn't pee until they were done.  They also injected contrast through an IV.  But other than that, you just lay there and don't move when they tell you to don't move.

The other was an emergency one for suspected appendicitis.  They injected contrast for that one as well, with the added bonus of them putting fluid up the rear to move the appendix to where they could see it.  Hope you don't need that kind!

ilovemygirls

My 2yo DD had one last month & did just fine- you will too!  It's just a machine w/a circle cut out of it that goes over the body part(s) to be scanned.  It took less than 2 minutes for DD's head.