Question about CT scans and barium

[Blueeyes101817]

Hi everyone-
i had a ct scan this morning and had to drink a huge thing of barium..then when i got there i had to drink 2 more cups of barium and got the IV for the contrast...
Now, im feeling really sick..like dizzy, nausea, i have a metal taste in my mouth....any ideas how to get rid of it? ive been drinking water..

thanks

 

[Deb in IA]

Cinnamon hard candies sometimes helps with bad aftertastes.

By the way, Blueeyes, were you instructed to take a laxative tonight? Barium can, um, constipate you really badly . . .

 

[Blueeyes101817]

uh oh..didnt say anything to me about that...my stomach is feeling weird

 

[piglet too]

I am just getting home from my own CT this morning as well. I was unable to drink the barium, it was burning as it went down. I got to drink something else ( a bit better tasting too!!) and the tech said it would probally "clean me out." As for the contrast part, I was told to drink plenty of water to flush it out. What you are describing is how I felt as I was given the contrast. I still feel kinda icky, but am guzzling down the water and it is helping. If you continue to feel this bad, or worse, call the place you got it done or your dr just to make sure it is still normal. Hope you are feeling better soon and that your results are what you are wanting.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

piglet--thanks! hope your results are what u want to!!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Gosh, bad memories of that barium crap coming back to me... my CT scan was the worst test I've ever had because of it... I could NOT tolerate it. At all.

Shortly after I got home, um, things started to flow from me =) WIthin a few hours, it seemed to all be out, and i was yucky feeling and crampy. Granted, I also had undiagnosed Crohns disease at this point so I'm not sure how much of that cramping is normal just from the barium and how much is from the Crohns...

Did they inject you with stuff? They told me that would cause a metalic taste in my mouth.

My best advice is to drink lots and lots of water to help get that junk out, stay close to a bathroom, and rest. =)

 

[Blueeyes101817]

aimee-
thanks for the advice..im staying near the bathroom..im also feeling yucky and cranky!
i drank the thing of barium and then also got injected...

 

[ahutton]

I had one in December. I'm actually allergic to what they inject (they knew that - was treated for it) and recommended I take some Benadryl about 2 hours after to keep my sleepy and let my body process it out. I was also told to eat lots of fruits and veggies, especially those with high water content. It helps flush the stuff through your kidneys and system. It was easier to eat melon and grapes than it was to face drinking more liquid after having to drink those 4 cups of yuck. A good meal and a long nap should go a long way to making you feel better, especially after having to fast before the test. I had mine done early one morning, was tired the next day still (lots of Benadryl) but was in great shape the day after that.

Edited to add: Lemon drops work wonders for bad tastes in your mouth, and don't usually make nausea worse.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

thanks again........good idea bout the fruits..i am having a hard time eating!!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

you guys have such good ideas..i just drank water..and am laying down.....

Thanks so much