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Posted 5/29/2008 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
im due for my first one in a couple of weeks

i was just wondering what you guys on here have experienced with prep?

ive read on here a few times about the dreaded barium, but after asking my gi he said the use of barium was a primitive method,and you are made to drink or get injected with something.

just wanted to know your experiences with prep for the scan?

thanx

Matt

Posted 5/29/2008 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hmmmm...I've had one abdominal CT scan 5 years ago and I barely remember a prep so it must not have been bad. It wasn't anything like prepping for a colonoscopy. If memory serves me, it was a small amount of a lemon-y drink that I drank just before the scan itself and just before they injected me with the dye (double-contrast scan).
Posted 5/29/2008 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
Well there are a few different tests. Are you having just a CT scan, or an upper GI? I've had many regular CT scans, they would have me drink some contrast, which wasn't bad at all. One little cup. Then they'd run some in an IV as well, take a few pictures and that was it.

Now an Upper GI is where you drink all that fun Barium! You have several cups of it, you wait, go take pictures, drink, wait some more. Go take pictures. That can take SEVERAL hours, depending on how fast the barium goes through your system (needs to get all the way down there so they can see it on the film). They take pictures every step of the way to see how it's going down. That was no fun for me. It felt like I had cement rocks in my gut, and getting up to walk to take the pictures got harder and harder. Also had to really flush my system with water to get all the barium out. But still, much better then a barium enema. Those are REALLY no fun!

But a regular CT scan is a piece of cake.
Posted 5/29/2008 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
I have had about 5 CT scans in the past 1 1/2 years. They have you drink this juice with contrast in it. Doesn't taste bad at all. Tasted like juice to me. But I had to drink two of those hospital size water containers (you know the kind they give you when your in the hospital). I actually threw up about half of it (just because its alot of liquid) and they were still able to do the test. They also inject something right before the CT. No big deal. JMHO
Posted 5/29/2008 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah... CT scans aren't as bad as those scans where they make you drink barium (I hate barium). My tip for you is to go in really thirsty. Don't drink anything. That way when they hand you the CT stuff to drink, you're so thirsty, you get it down faster. If it's your first time tasting it, it's not going to be too pleasant, but it's not horribly awful. And like I said, it's easier to drink if you're thirsty.
Posted 5/30/2008 12:15 AM (GMT 0)
And if you don't like the taste, it can be easier to use a straw, so it might be a good idea to take one with you.
Posted 5/30/2008 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
I had to fast in the morning and they gave me some stuff to drink 2 hours before, an hour before, and right before they did the test. It wasn't horrible stuff. One time I didn't have to drink anything. But they always do the IV contrast. It warms you up and makes you feel like you have to pee, so go before the test!!
Posted 5/30/2008 11:09 AM (GMT 0)
I have had 2 CT scans in the past 3 months...the scan itself is not bad at all, but the contrast that you have to drink made me throw up both times....the hospital I have them done at offers 3 flavors to drink from, if they have berry flavor, go with that one, apple and banana are not that good.
Posted 6/1/2008 3:27 AM (GMT 0)
I've had many CTs. The only bad one is if you get the barium enema. I don't think they do that if you have a Dx. That was a killer because I had a partial obstruction, otherwise that isn't even bad. I usually just get an IV for my CTs. I've only had to drink the barium w/ an upper gi. Still, I don't find that too bad either.
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