mtblujeans
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2004
- Messages
- 17,126
I had my kidney CT scan earlier today and it was a snap! If you are faced with a CT scan, dont be afraid, it is not hard or uncomfortable! I also found a site that gives info and pictures of what CT scans are about: http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=148
You lay on a moving table that slides in and out of the CT machine it reminded me of gliding in and out of a large donut!
You cannot eat for four (4) hours before the procedure but I drank a lot of water. Women should avoid wearing an underwire bra, if possible. I did not have to get undressed but I did have to pull my jeans down just far enough so the machine did not pick up the snap and front zipper.
They repeatedly wanted to know if I had ever had dye injected into my body with a negative reaction and I have never had anything like this done before. I guess some people can react to the dye.
Once I got on the table, I was covered with a sheet and a needle inserted into my arm for the dye IV. That was no problem, even tho I always have trouble with my small veins. She did an excellent job and there was no pain so there is no reason to think that the Techs that might be setting up your IV wouldnt do a good, painfree job too.
She told me what to expect: They take a set of pictures without the dye first. You lay your arms up over your head and the machine told me to hold my breath. Then the table slid back and forth into the machine. They ask that you hold your breath the same amount or way each time so they get a good set of comparison pictures.
Then, they turn the dye on so it runs through the IV. They said I would be a hot sensation once the dye begins to run through my veins and I would then have a feeling as though I were going to wet your pants but you wont ..and I didnt know what to think of that one! It took a few seconds for the hot sensation to begin but it was not at all uncomfortable. Then, I did indeed get a sensation that I can only describe as feeling as though I had had an accident. But, it only felt that way, as she said, I did not. (That was actually the weirdest part of the whole thing, oddly enough) They also said to expect a "metalic taste in the back of your mouth" and I would say that was only slightly noticeable.
They take another set of pictures with the dye to compare to the set without dye.
Once the procedure was done, they immediately removed the IV needle and tightly bandaged the spot. Then, we were off to x-ray. They did a whole abdominal set of x-rays; from diaphragm to pelvic bone. They let me know this is normal procedure for kidney check.
Afterwards, I drove myself to the nearest Wendys and had lunch with DH!
After a little bit, I did develop a very slight headache but that could have been because I was hungry, too. 
You lay on a moving table that slides in and out of the CT machine it reminded me of gliding in and out of a large donut!
You cannot eat for four (4) hours before the procedure but I drank a lot of water. Women should avoid wearing an underwire bra, if possible. I did not have to get undressed but I did have to pull my jeans down just far enough so the machine did not pick up the snap and front zipper.
They repeatedly wanted to know if I had ever had dye injected into my body with a negative reaction and I have never had anything like this done before. I guess some people can react to the dye.
Once I got on the table, I was covered with a sheet and a needle inserted into my arm for the dye IV. That was no problem, even tho I always have trouble with my small veins. She did an excellent job and there was no pain so there is no reason to think that the Techs that might be setting up your IV wouldnt do a good, painfree job too.
She told me what to expect: They take a set of pictures without the dye first. You lay your arms up over your head and the machine told me to hold my breath. Then the table slid back and forth into the machine. They ask that you hold your breath the same amount or way each time so they get a good set of comparison pictures.
Then, they turn the dye on so it runs through the IV. They said I would be a hot sensation once the dye begins to run through my veins and I would then have a feeling as though I were going to wet your pants but you wont ..and I didnt know what to think of that one! It took a few seconds for the hot sensation to begin but it was not at all uncomfortable. Then, I did indeed get a sensation that I can only describe as feeling as though I had had an accident. But, it only felt that way, as she said, I did not. (That was actually the weirdest part of the whole thing, oddly enough) They also said to expect a "metalic taste in the back of your mouth" and I would say that was only slightly noticeable.
They take another set of pictures with the dye to compare to the set without dye.
Once the procedure was done, they immediately removed the IV needle and tightly bandaged the spot. Then, we were off to x-ray. They did a whole abdominal set of x-rays; from diaphragm to pelvic bone. They let me know this is normal procedure for kidney check.
Afterwards, I drove myself to the nearest Wendys and had lunch with DH!
After a little bit, I did develop a very slight headache but that could have been because I was hungry, too. 
