Anyone have CT scan and/or gastro endoscopy?

[Luv2Camp]

Hi everyone. I'm scheduled for a CT scan with contrast on Monday and an endoscopy on Tuesday. Anyone with experience with these tests? For Monday's tests, I have to drink barium, which doesn't sound pleasant at all. They're knocking me out on Tuesday for the gastro endoscopy. I hope I'll be knocked out anyways! I'm not looking forward to either of the tests, so any tips would be appreciated!

 

[mjkacmom]

OMG - I just had a CT scan and had to drink stuff. I gave them the wrong name for the test, and it turns out I had to drink like 64 ounces, in the waiting room. I really didn't think I was going to keep it down - I was gagging. I think I had one in the past where I only had to drink a small cup - much easier. The endoscopy is nothing at all - you'll go to sleep, and feel like you woke up one second later - no discomfort.

Warning about the CT scan - when they add the contrast, it will feel like you wet your pants.

 

[monkey68]

I've had several CT with contrast. It's not that bad. I had to drink 2 barium shakes, one I think 8 hours before, and one an hour before the CT. I prefer the vanilla flavor, and they taste better cold. Still doesn't taste great, but it's drinkable. Then, I got there, and I had to drink a cup of a water based contrast, that doesn't taste good at all. They do a series of images, and then they come in, put in an IV (if you have IV contrast) and inject the dye. You get a warm feeling as it goes in, and then they do more images. That's pretty much it. They tell you to drink plenty of water the rest of the day.

Never had the endoscopy personally, but I've seen it done in the hospital. You'll be sedated for it, so you shouldn't remember it.

 

[Luv2Camp]

Warning about the CT scan - when they add the contrast, it will feel like you wet your pants.

Oh jeez...On top of everything else, that's all I need!

 

[Jsme]

I have had an endoscopy several years ago when I was death ill and in the hospital. I know I was put under some drugs to where I do not remember it however, I was not asleep. I was very sick and had a lot of tests ran while in the hospital. Sorry I am no help.

 

[Mailloux]

I actually had the endoscopy just a few days ago. I was scared to death as I have a light gag reflex. I knew they were going to sedate me, but to me, that meant an Ativan - not right under. It wasn't until they were putting the IV in my hand did I find out I was being put under. It was absolutely fine. As PP said, you fall asleep for a few minutes and you wake up right afterwards. Didn't feel a thing, but was dopey for an or so afterwards. It was a good excuse to lay on the couch and watch General Hospital guilt free!

 

[melk]

I just had both these tests within the last 2 weeks myself. I was more nervous about the gastroscopy but it went fine. I was in like a 'twilight' state, I really don't remember it, and they spray stuff in your throat so you don't gag.

As for the cat scan, again, not really a big deal. The stuff does taste gross, but I got through it, you can too. And it does feel like you're wetting your pants when they inject the contrast in the iv, lol! You might also get a gross taste in your mouth.

Hope your tests go well, they'll be over before you know it.

 

[C.Ann]

Endo is a breeze.. You'll be out like a light.. And the best part is that if your doctor comes back to see you in recovery, he can give you all of the results right then and there - except for biopsy results..

Good luck!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I guess you need to know if its iv contrast or just barium contrast. For the barium shake once I had to drink 1 container, that was orange flavor and the other time in sept. I had to drink 2 berry smoothie flavored. I didnt pick these. I think it would be much better if they let you pick out a flavor you actually like, that would be much more bearable. I liked the orange better. I read on the can like they have 16 different flavors!! As far as the endoscopy I remember them telling me to bite on some plastic thing they were putting in my mouth so I wouldnt choke. Then I just remember the anesthesia guy saying you are going to sleep now. That was it. When I woke up I was glad I could have lunch a little later on. You will be fine and wishing you all the best with the test results too.

 

[dis-happy]

I had to have several CT scans due to cancer. All of them were with IV contrast. About the 4th one I had a terrible reaction to the contrast and they had to call the crash cart. All CT's since are done w/o the IV contrast.

Anyway, be careful and if at any time you have tightness or trouble breathing make a big racket. The guys in the booth when I was on the table weren't paying attention and it almost cost me my life.

 

[momof1princess]

i've had 2 endoscopies...no big deal...unconscious for both of them. after my gastric bypass surgery, i had to drink this foul liquid for a series of x-rays (to check for leaks at the staple line). i'm not sure if it was barium or not. it wasn't pleasant, but the whole thing was over fairly quickly. good luck with your tests

 

[fluffycow333]

I've had more than my fair share of those (I have Chrone's disease). No, they are not pleasent at all. Yes, the barium is disgusting. Yes, I have barfed from drinking it. I don't want to suger-coat anything because I hate when people do that to me. I guess the endoscopy isn't that bad, it's all the prep that gets you. But you might not have as bad a time as I did. I'm assume you are older than me (I'm 15 now don't tell anyone). They say it is worse on children than adults.

Oh, and after you wake up your throat might hurt a bit. At least mine did. And my lips were numb for a while.

I'm sorry if this is TMI.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I can not drink the barium as I get a severe reaction from it, orange juice can be substituted. I know longer allow them to use the dye. I have had enough of it already. They still get a contrast without it, just not as clear.

The scope was the easiest test I have ever had and actually felt calm and rested afterwards.

Good luck and I hope they find the results you are looking for.

 

[VillageMama]

My son had multiple CT scans when his appendix ruptured. He said that drinking the contrast was the worst part. It literally made him vomit.

They were having him drink four big glasses of contrast. He was crying and vomiting. I decided that if someone was brought in by ambulance and needed an emergency CT scan, they could make it work. Therefore, I reduced the amount of contrast my son drank.

He would drink half the cup and I'd sneak the other half down the drain. We did that with all four cups and his CT scan went off without a hitch. Plus, my son thinks I'm his hero.

Good luck to you! I hope that everything goes smoothly and that you'll be in robust health soon.

 

[chell]

In just over a month I've had 2 Endoscopies. The first one I had some issues with eating for a few days afterwards because they had to dilate my throat and take a biopsy of a spot in my throat. I have a "shelf" that pills like to get stuck on when I take them. My doctor checked it out and took a biopsy of it. If it had not been for that on the first one I would have been just fine afterwards.

The second one I was fine and my throat didn't bother me at all. After I woke up both times I just wanted to go back to sleep. I was warm & comfy under that nice warm blanket.

What is your doctor looking for? If you don't mind me asking.

The prep for the Endo isn't bad at all. You just can't have anything to eat or drink after midnight. The morning of I was able to take my Nexium to cut down on stomach acid.

The prep for the 2nd one was terrible because I was also having a Colonoscopy. Actually I was only scheduled for the Colonoscopy but when my blood work came back positive for Celiac Disease they needed to add the Endoscopy.

 

[Tazicket]

I've had a couple of CT scans before. The barium was icky, but not painfully so. I had a choice between berry and banana. I went with the banana one, and it really wasn't that terrible.

I had IV contrast as well with both of my CT scans. For the first one, they were checking out an ovarian cyst that put me in the ER and the ER nurse guy did the IV port. He didn't do such a great job, and it hurt. (I should throw in here that I have a needle phobia - works nicely that I also have a thyroid condition that requires me to have blood drawn every few months, right? )

For the second CT scan, I told them about my needle phobia and how painful the IV that the ER guy put in was. They got me their best IV inserter and she did an excellent job. Barely hurt at all!!

For the actual CT scan, it really wasn't that bad. It does feel like you're wetting yourself when they do the IV stuff, but if you know that going in it's not quite as surprising. Then, they just slide you through the middle of this giant donut shaped thing and it tells you when to breathe and hold your breath and stuff. It's over before you know it.

Good luck!!

 

[mickeymedic]

I was terrified when I went in for my endoscopy - to the point that I was pale and sweaty and shaking. It took 4 tries for them to get my IV. Then they took me into the procedure room and told me to lie on my side and open my mouth. I told the nurse "I'm not ready to do that yet." Then they must have pushed the good drugs because the next thing I remember I was waking up in recovery. IT WAS A BREEZE! I feel very silly for being that terrified. I don't remember any of the procedure and there was no pain at all. I was really hungry afterward, so on the way home my dear hubby stopped and got me Burger King.

 

[chell]

For the contrast is that the medicine that makes your armpits (and other places) really hot for a few seconds?

 

[fluffycow333]

For the contrast is that the medicine that makes your armpits (and other places) really hot for a few seconds?

Yes, I think so. It can also make you feel kinda tingly.

 

[PatsMom]

I've had the endoscopy twice and it is a piece of cake. As someone already said, I remember them putting a plastic thing in my mouth and then waking up. Nothing in between. Prep isn't bad since just fasting cleans out the stomach area. Its not like prep for a colonoscopy where you need to clean out the colon. I've never had the CT scan so I can't comment on that one.