Ct scan terrified

I just had a CT Enterography scan on Wednesday. Don't panic! Yes, they expose you to a substantial amount of radiation, but you have to weigh the risks and benefits. Often a CT scan is the best tool the ER has for making a diagnosis quickly and accurately. If it's a life-threatening situation (as a burst appendix, bowel obstruction, or perforated bowel can be), then they need to figure out what's going on fast.

I had x-rays done first, but they didn't show everything clearly enough. I also had an ultrasound.

MRE is a radiation-free option, but it isn't available everywhere and is much more expensive. I know that I was told that they would prefer to do the MRE, but it would take a little while to get an appointment and I would probably need to be discharged and come back as an outpatient... leaving without a complete, accurate diagnosis of the problem didn't seem like a good idea.

I understand why you're worried, but I truly believe that the radiation in a single CT is unlikely to cause you any harm. Crohn's is a lifetime condition and you will need scans in the future, but I'm sure they will try to use other imaging tools first. Colonoscopy is the obvious one now that they know you have Crohn's and x-rays can often show obstructions.

I wish you the best. Getting a diagnosis is scary and it's normal to feel our of control. It could be a great thing for you to see a therapist (some even specialize in chronic disease!) or join a local support group to meet people your age with the disease.

Take care.

Hi Amy,
Try not to sweat the CT scan, prednisone can make anxiety more intense for some so you may be able to put the risk of one CT scan in better perspective when you are off of steroids. If you need a CT scan in the future there are newer machines that deliver less radiation by measuring your body and then delivering only the radiation necessary for your scan. Like studio 54 mentioned an MRE works pretty well and does not use radiation. I hope you are feeling better by now, good luck and keep us updated.

Thanks so much for the reassurance all, I'm 17 years diagnosed with crohns and this was my first Ct scan :(

The surgeon has actually asked for an Mri scan to see if the bowel is any better before the surgery but it's likely I'm facing a resection to remove the damaged part , I'd never want to face that pain again X x

I think at this stage I need to address my anxiety issues too as in the last month I've doing nothing but Google and worry about radiation when realistically I've more things important :)

Glad I stumbled across this site too X x

Yeah, please stop googling. I've been through periods of significant anxiety in the past, both with respect to cd and not, and trust me, google + anxiety = bad. Not a good mix.
If you feel like your anxiety is disruptive or lowering your quality of life, I'd suggest you discuss a low dose of clonazepam or lexapro w/ your doctor.
Good luck

My son, age 19, was dx with Crohn's last July (only symptom bloody diarrhea) and was put on a "top down" medication regimen. He is on remicade, imuran, pentasa and probiotics. He had a colonoscopy, MRE and life was good until he started to throw up in mid January - which was "off and on." He was hospitalized in February because of ongoing vomiting due to the stricture in his TI which until then had caused no symptoms. He was so sick because of the blockage he perforated his esophagus from the vomiting which fortunately self healed. WHEW. He is a college student and missed a week of classes. His GI said that he needed to have surgery done ASAP because he could not afford to get "that sick again." Two weeks after his first hospitalization he missed four more days of school for a TI resection. BUT he is young (like you) and determined. Surgery on Wed and back to school on the following Monday. All is well and he is so glad he no longer has to worry about becoming so sick again (at least not now!). I wish you the best and you have found an amazing forum to post. The support is so encompassing and I read it every day!

I'll give you a hint. Your not getting enough ionizing radiation to worry about. Your exposure time is a short duration also. You're 17 i believe,
you remember anything about the inverse square law in your studies? the machine is fair size. and you don't physically contact the source. now the contrasts are something else but the half life is very short and your body eliminates the contrast. personally I've been scanned so many times I don't even count. 40 + years and counting.

The resection, should you require it, I'll be honest the first week is rough, walk frequently, it gets better with time. it takes time for your gut to reboot and get normal again. But it does get better.

“Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself” Franklin D. Roosevelt

T
Better Living Through Chemistry - DuPont's line

If you're worried about one ct scan I'd hate to know what you'd think in my position. I've had dozens and dozens of ct scans in the 13 years I've had crohns (diagnosed at 18). You'd probably expect me to glow green from all that radiation. Lol fortunately I haven't had any side effects from the radiation, at least none that I've noticed. The crohns side effects and pain blow any possible side effects I may have from radiation out of the water so it's the least of my worries. Heck I just had a ct scan a week ago today.

Thanks again so much , im avoiding google and trying to erase the things i read from my mind , the 1/2000 cancer risk just sent my anxiety out of the water !!
And i keep replaying it over in mind about the scan being necessary when i know it was !!!
Ive a colonoscopy on weds and an mre and then its bk to the surgeons for a review :(
Cbt starts monday so im hoping itll help with the anxiety and let me think logically again X x
Sure heck life is without risks 😁

Cbt went really well , itll take a while for me to try and change my way of catastrophically thinking of everything, i only see the worst case scenario and its awful :( I got over the Ct and began worrying about the small bowel follow through i had 17 years ago , its crazy and enough to drive u mad !!!
Im just finished movi prep , scope day tomorrow, and who doesn't love a colonoscopy!!
Thanks everyone x x