Have you ever had to drink "oral contrast" for a CT Scan??

[cheerful chickadee]

I had a pelvic/abdominal CT not too long ago and the stuff I drank was a raspberry flavored kool-aid type drink, reminded me more of a crystal light because it wasn't all that sweet. The taste wasn't too bad, had sort of a metallic aftertaste though, I did have to drink A LOT of it though so that was the only struggle. It didn't make me sick afterward or anything. Hope eberything turns out ok!!

 

[imabrat]

Nope, and I've had a few CTs. I get CT scans on my chest every 3-4 months as part of my "remission routine checkups". They're on my lungs and without contrast, but even if I do get contrast it's always IV form. Of course, that's not much better - It makes me hot, nauseated, makes me feel like I have to pee, and I can feel it rushing thru my body.

Good Luck, OP! I hope everything will be fine.

 

[monkey68]

I already have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome - but this isn't what the test is for), so I'm wondering if the barium will bring on an attack. Certain things aggravate the condition, and sometimes it flares up even for no apparent reason.

I think I might be better off just taking the day off altogether. I still have vacation time left that I need to use up by July anyway.


Thanks again to everyone for the replies.

P.S. Yikes, I don't want to get gummed up! LOL I'll be sure to keep drinking water afterwards!

P.P.S. The scan is scheduled for 11:30am; I have a non-medical appointment at 3pm that afternoon; does anyone think I'll have any trouble by the afternoon that would prevent me from being able to attend? It's a fairly important appointment and honestly if it came down to rescheduling one of them, I'd reschedule the scan.

I think you'll be fine, I think you're building this up more than you need to. I've drank the barium for a small bowel series, and for a CT. I was fine both times. My radiologist told me if you normally don't have a problem with constipation, you shouldn't have a problem with the barium. I went straight to class after my small bowel series, and I had my white coat ceremony right after my CT with contrast. For that, I had the CT at 11, and I had to be at the ceremony by 3. Seriously, i was fine, absolutely no problems. I didn't tell my parents that I had the CT, and they had no clue at the ceremony either.

If you build it up to be something awful, it will be. But for the overwhelming majority of people, they're not going to have a reaction to the barium, and they're going to be fine afterwards.

 

[SeaSpray]

I think you'll be fine, I think you're building this up more than you need to. I've drank the barium for a small bowel series, and for a CT. I was fine both times. My radiologist told me if you normally don't have a problem with constipation, you shouldn't have a problem with the barium. I went straight to class after my small bowel series, and I had my white coat ceremony right after my CT with contrast. For that, I had the CT at 11, and I had to be at the ceremony by 3. Seriously, i was fine, absolutely no problems. I didn't tell my parents that I had the CT, and they had no clue at the ceremony either.

If you build it up to be something awful, it will be. But for the overwhelming majority of people, they're not going to have a reaction to the barium, and they're going to be fine afterwards.

I hope that my day goes as yours did, with no side effects whatsoever!

I'm definitely NOT building it up, and I'm not worried about any aspect of this test, although my posts may seem otherwise. I'm actually an optimist and I usually downplay things.

I'm just trying to find out what effects I might experience while/after drinking the barium because I'll be at work, and then later in the day, because of my other appt. I've been through things much worse than this.

I've decided to bring the barium with me to work, drink it there, and if I get the runs or stomach cramps or any other side effects, I'll deal with them at work. I work with understanding, compassionate people, and the bathroom is not very far down the hallway.

Thanks again everyone, for sharing your experiences and knowledge.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I have. I've always had a big problem with liquid medicines. Oral contrast wasn't too too bad. I mean, it was gross, but I kept it down and didn't gag much. To me, it tasted like a kind of metalic strawberry yoghurt drink - and I hate yoghurt.