Ct scan results

I did get my ct scan results last night, but I have absolutely no idea of they're meaningful or not, or exactly what they do mean?  I think these types of reports tend to be so detailed that you really need an experienced reader to make sense out of them.  They tend to have lots of little findings that may or may not be meaningful.  Mine included things like slight calcification of left kidney, tiny cyst on liver, gallbladder contraction. unopacified bowel loops, and cystic changes in adnexal region bilaterally.  None of these things mean  a whole lot to me, and I can find precious little illumination on the internet.  the overall impression was the cystic changes in the adnexal region and the overall recommendation was to perform an abdominal sonogram targeted to the gallbladder to assess for gallstones (which I know I do not have).  That tells me that perhaps the kidney calcification and the unopacified bowel loops are not meaningful.  I guess I'll just have to wait until I see my doctor tomorrow morning, unless any of you have anything to share.

Thanks,

el

Thanks for the reply Ides. I guess I'll just have to talk to doctor tomorrow. Not sure if she was doing specifically for the bowels, or just to rule other things out. I had berry barium smoothie (two of them). One drink at 9am that morning, and the tech made me drink another one right before the test (@ 3:30pm). I felt like I had so much barium in me I was glowing! Perhaps, I could have used more. Again, I'll just wait and see what my doctor says.

Yes, in answer to your question, I've had ovarian cysts before. They're actually quite common, and normally resolve themselves. I recall learning all of this when I was in fertility tx, and had ultrasounds 5X a month! Something tells me they're not responsible for my symptoms, but it's certainly something to follow up with.

It also occured to me that the cyst on my liver (probably a fatty cyst) may be due to all of these stupid meds I've been taking. So far, my liver functions beautifully, but these meds can do a number on it.

El

Saw my doctor this morning. She said my ct scan results showed nothing significant (which is what I suspected). She did stress that I should see a GI doctor as soon as I can. I told her my appointment wasn't until July, and she said that wasn't acceptable. She told me to ask my primary to call on my behalf to see if I can be seen sooner. Personally, I'm not comfortable doing that unless I was dying, but perhaps my primary can suggest someone who's a bit easier to get in to see (even 4-6 weeks beats 3 months). She was thinking about taking me off all tb meds, but decided to leave me on two (out of four) for latent tb because I have taken a tnf-inhibitor and I'm likely to do so in the future. Dropping two of the meds, though, hopefully, will help out my poor stomach. I may ask my rheumy about mtx injections as well. Leave my poor stomach alone.

Elcamino

elcamino said...
I told her my appointment wasn't until July, and she said that wasn't acceptable. She told me to ask my primary to call on my behalf to see if I can be seen sooner. Personally, I'm not comfortable doing that unless I was dying

elcamino - tsk, tsk tsk....Your rheumy thinks it important to see a GI soon and you feel uncomfortable having someone intervene on your behalf? There are too many of us with multiple complicated health issues that have this attitude - me included. We need to follow the advice given us to prevent further complications to our already complicated medical histories. Please have your GI call. You do that, and when I have my usual post Remicade lupus flare, I won't sit home sufffering but will go get treated and let them see exactly how bad my reactions are. Is that a deal?

Thinking of all you have been dealing with......Ides