CT scan

[ellenmillion]

A CT scan isn't so bad - really, the worst part is having to drink two freaking liters of contrast fluid beforehand. Room-temperature contrast fluid, no less. BLECH. (I like ice-water. The colder, the better.)

It's a little funky when they give you the injection and you get the hot flash (and it feels for a moment like you're peeing yourself), but really, pretty painless. The technician was very nice, and while I don't know the results yet*, there was nothing so major that they flung up their hands and sent me to the hospital, at least. I apparently have 'good veins' and 'thin blood.' (Which both seem to be good things.)

The CT scan, as far as I understand, is what they would generally do after the HIDA scan came back negative (because we expect it to, given the history in my family) to eliminate other possible causes of my problem. Though everyone - technician, nurse, insurance claims handler, random person off the street - to whom I describe my symptoms nods sagely and says 'gallbladder, then.' So, this is just to speed things up after the HIDA scan so we can do the surgery immediately and the doctor doesn't get sued for not exploring possible options (or the insurance won't go for it, etc.).

Anyway, still doing fine. Still no fats. Still miss bacon.



*Ah! Results in! My intestine looks "slightly irritated", and there is a small cyst in my liver. We're waiting on HIDA scan results before we move forward. (Liver problems can apparently be caused by gallbladder problems. Lovely!)

Comments

[theresamather.livejournal.com]

Best wishes, Ellen.

[ht.livejournal.com]

Holy moly, you had to do 2 litres of contrast? Hats off, I only did one and I thought that was bad enough.

At least things are going and it sounds like the day you'll be chomping on bacon again is getting closer.

[hailerro.livejournal.com]

That feeling like you're wetting yourself = not fun. (I was so glad when I had my CT w/contrast done that they explained that beforehand, ie. how the stuff affects your senses, etc.)

Why'd they make you drink it warm? (I think I was allowed to stick my contrast jar in the fridge, had to drink a liter the night before, half a liter an hour before, and the rest just before the test itself). When they gave my dad a CT in hospital they mixed his contrast with ice (which, sadly for him, he hated. He loathes ice and they didn't ask his preference).

[pixiewildflower.livejournal.com]

**HUGS** Feel better soon hon!

[piotrov.livejournal.com]

Haven't been on LJ much, but just wanted to send some well-wishes your way! Hope the surgery is soon, quick and trouble free and you're back to eating bacon, cheese and chips in no time. :)

[valdary.livejournal.com]

Drinking contrast not fun, I get to do this every six months or so.

The plain contrast is not so bad but the orange flavour is terrible, It has loads of artificial sweetener in which my taste buds perceive as extremely bitter.

I don't remember mine being warm but "room temperature" in the x-ray areas at the Royal Shrewsbury is a bit shivery

[jenelycam.livejournal.com]

CT scans aren't bad. I disliked the barium drink. NASTY! And it really did feel like I peed my pants. >.< But at least the procedure itself isn't bad.

I hope they figure out what's going on and you don't have to have anymore tests!! *HUGS*