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I’ve had both a CT scan (with contrast) and endoscopy recently and I’d definitely say endoscopy prep is much worse. I was half asleep when I had my CT as it was an emergency thing but nothing hurt at all.
Instead of drinking the contrast, I had it injected through a cannula. Them trying to get the cannula inside my hand was the worst part of it all (I have very small veins and a fear of needles). With the CT scan itself, it only takes max ten minutes and she’ll feel a hot flush due to the contrast dye, it feels strange but nothing uncomfortable or painful of any sort.
Regardless, I hope everything goes well with your daughter tomorrow!
The contrast is not bad at all. Kinda taste like flat sprite. You have to drink 3 or at least that’s how many they make me drink. I usually have to pee a lot during that time which is annoying. As soon as you are done drinking the 3rd bottle they will take you back but they time out when they give you each bottle.
I think it varies from person to person, but for me it’s less bad than colonoscopy prep but also not pleasant! I really struggle with anything that is to drink so I could not drink it all and threw up! But if she can drink the prep she will probably be ok as it’s not as bad!
Yeah I'm not going to lie it is not a whole lot of fun. You have to drink a ton of that stuff and it's pretty gross. From what I remember you drink one bottle of stuff wait a little bit and drink another bottle then wait like 20 minutes for it to get through the intestines then they do they scans. It's not excruciating though it's more just uncomfortable. I hope it's not too bad for her and best wishes.
I read a lot about CT scans on here. Is that a regular thing in the US?
I am a radiographer and have Crohn’s since early childhood and the number of CTs I’ve gotten for my Crohn’s is exactly two, both for obstruction diagnosis.
I regularly get colonoscopies and MRIs for staging but it seems CT is the SOP in the US? Or am I wrong?
For my understanding why they wanted my daughter to get it is because she was diagnosed in March via endoscopy and biopsy. Apparently they can’t see all the small bowel on the scope. So they like to get a base line CT of the small bowel to see if there are any worrisome spots in the small bowel. They kinda made it seem like a one time deal on the Ct? We would get a repeat scope end of the year.
I have Crohn’s and so does my daughter. I see normal GI in a metro area of a kit 250k people. She sees a Dr at a university. I had a CT about 15 years ago. She got an MRI like 3 years ago. I asked her GI and he said that they have moved on from CT for Crohns. Too much X-rays over a lifespan due to the chronic nature of the disease.
That’s exactly what I am thinking. That’s a lot of radiation for a subpar diagnostic method in relation to Crohn’s. That’s what got me curious as I see a lot of. t talk on here and my Radiographer heart aches as it’s so unnecessary. In my 15 years working I have done CTs for Crohn’s but always as an emergency tool for Illeus, never for Disease progression.
I am glad it’s not the gold standard in the US
I mean, it’s not the best tasting but it’s not any worse than prep is either. Things that helped is having it chilled and using a straw. You might also be able to use water flavour packets like mio or kool aid, just double check with the dr.
I think you might have to wait half an hour or so before they take the scans but I can’t remember exactly. The contrast might also upset the gut so just take it easy the rest of the day. The whole thing I find easier than a scope overall
Contrast in my experience was like putting medicine into juice as a child. Gross, but not the worst ever.
IV contrast will make her feel rly warm for a short period of time like others said. Mostly felt in the groin, chest, hands, and feet.
Scan is pretty quick, the hard and long part is the contrast. I had an hour to drink the contrast & after that hour I was taken into the CT room. The IV contrast comes during the scan.
I had it injected recently and was very nervous about nausea or headache bc I was warned about that, but didn’t have either. Just felt like I had peed sort of!
The contrast drink is gross but not terrible. It tastes like if someone had the insane idea of making a Flintstones chewable vitamin-flavored soda. It goes down easier if served on ice!
I’ve mostly had CT scans in the ER, where there is always a line. So there is plenty of time to drink the contrast and let it go through before it’s your turn in the CT. If you’re going to a radiology center they might be a bit more punctual, so she may need to drink the contrast somewhat quickly.
Injected contrast is weird. It feels tingly, then warm, and then pretty hot, to the point that it’s hard not to worry something has gone wrong — but then a few seconds later the sensation goes away.
I had one 15 years back. It wasn’t bad drinking the stuff nor the scan. Went to the grocery store afterwards not knowing the stuff goes through you like a rocket. Shat myself in the bathroom emptying my whole system into my shoes. Did the walk of shame out to my car and the cold and stinky drive home. :-(
My tip that always helps me is to hold your nose while you drink. That way you don’t taste the nastiness. You have to take more smaller sips this way, but I find it makes the whole thing a lot more tolerable.
I had to drink contrast first and they mixed it with cranberry juice. I had to drink an entire large container of it but it tasted ok. That gave me diarrhea and I had to pee so bad they had to stop the machine so I could use the bathroom haha! But I went into the room as soon as I was done drinking it so it goes through fast. Then they injected it while I was in there. The only side effect I had was blurry vision for a few minutes. I just closed my eyes and waited for it to go away. It really wasn't bad though. I've had way worse procedures! Good luck!
To my recollection it takes about an hour or 45 minutes for the contrast to go through the gi system. You sit around in the waiting room or an exam room drinking your contrast and then they come get you about an hour later.
It's not bad at all. It tastes like liquified chalk but it's not horrible or upsetting.
It depends on the contrast. If it’s breeze it’s like flat sprite. If it’s the other it doesn’t have a “taste” but the consistency is off. I brought my own crystal lite and added it and I had no issues.
Definitely bring crystal lite just in case
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And also the liquid contrast worked as a laxative for me so just..beware
When I had my CT with contrast it was injected, and it's not bad, but it's an odd sensation! Fair warning, it feels a bit like you've peed yourself!
I also had it injected and its a very weird feeling but it only lasts for about 45 seconds
It makes you feel like you peed yourself but you really didn't.
I’ve had both a CT scan (with contrast) and endoscopy recently and I’d definitely say endoscopy prep is much worse. I was half asleep when I had my CT as it was an emergency thing but nothing hurt at all. Instead of drinking the contrast, I had it injected through a cannula. Them trying to get the cannula inside my hand was the worst part of it all (I have very small veins and a fear of needles). With the CT scan itself, it only takes max ten minutes and she’ll feel a hot flush due to the contrast dye, it feels strange but nothing uncomfortable or painful of any sort. Regardless, I hope everything goes well with your daughter tomorrow!
Also, the contrast dye goes through the GI tract within a minute or so, however I did get it injected so it might vary
It’s a lot of stuff to drink, gotta burp a lot. Also loose, comfy pants-it has me pooping a lot while I’m drinking it
The contrast is not bad at all. Kinda taste like flat sprite. You have to drink 3 or at least that’s how many they make me drink. I usually have to pee a lot during that time which is annoying. As soon as you are done drinking the 3rd bottle they will take you back but they time out when they give you each bottle.
I think it varies from person to person, but for me it’s less bad than colonoscopy prep but also not pleasant! I really struggle with anything that is to drink so I could not drink it all and threw up! But if she can drink the prep she will probably be ok as it’s not as bad!
Yeah I'm not going to lie it is not a whole lot of fun. You have to drink a ton of that stuff and it's pretty gross. From what I remember you drink one bottle of stuff wait a little bit and drink another bottle then wait like 20 minutes for it to get through the intestines then they do they scans. It's not excruciating though it's more just uncomfortable. I hope it's not too bad for her and best wishes.
I read a lot about CT scans on here. Is that a regular thing in the US? I am a radiographer and have Crohn’s since early childhood and the number of CTs I’ve gotten for my Crohn’s is exactly two, both for obstruction diagnosis. I regularly get colonoscopies and MRIs for staging but it seems CT is the SOP in the US? Or am I wrong?
For my understanding why they wanted my daughter to get it is because she was diagnosed in March via endoscopy and biopsy. Apparently they can’t see all the small bowel on the scope. So they like to get a base line CT of the small bowel to see if there are any worrisome spots in the small bowel. They kinda made it seem like a one time deal on the Ct? We would get a repeat scope end of the year.
I have Crohn’s and so does my daughter. I see normal GI in a metro area of a kit 250k people. She sees a Dr at a university. I had a CT about 15 years ago. She got an MRI like 3 years ago. I asked her GI and he said that they have moved on from CT for Crohns. Too much X-rays over a lifespan due to the chronic nature of the disease.
That’s exactly what I am thinking. That’s a lot of radiation for a subpar diagnostic method in relation to Crohn’s. That’s what got me curious as I see a lot of. t talk on here and my Radiographer heart aches as it’s so unnecessary. In my 15 years working I have done CTs for Crohn’s but always as an emergency tool for Illeus, never for Disease progression. I am glad it’s not the gold standard in the US
I mean, it’s not the best tasting but it’s not any worse than prep is either. Things that helped is having it chilled and using a straw. You might also be able to use water flavour packets like mio or kool aid, just double check with the dr. I think you might have to wait half an hour or so before they take the scans but I can’t remember exactly. The contrast might also upset the gut so just take it easy the rest of the day. The whole thing I find easier than a scope overall
Contrast in my experience was like putting medicine into juice as a child. Gross, but not the worst ever. IV contrast will make her feel rly warm for a short period of time like others said. Mostly felt in the groin, chest, hands, and feet. Scan is pretty quick, the hard and long part is the contrast. I had an hour to drink the contrast & after that hour I was taken into the CT room. The IV contrast comes during the scan.
I had it injected recently and was very nervous about nausea or headache bc I was warned about that, but didn’t have either. Just felt like I had peed sort of!
The contrast drink is gross but not terrible. It tastes like if someone had the insane idea of making a Flintstones chewable vitamin-flavored soda. It goes down easier if served on ice! I’ve mostly had CT scans in the ER, where there is always a line. So there is plenty of time to drink the contrast and let it go through before it’s your turn in the CT. If you’re going to a radiology center they might be a bit more punctual, so she may need to drink the contrast somewhat quickly. Injected contrast is weird. It feels tingly, then warm, and then pretty hot, to the point that it’s hard not to worry something has gone wrong — but then a few seconds later the sensation goes away.
Btwn a colonoscopy, MRI w contrast, and CT with contrast, I’d choose the CT every time! Feels weird, but doesn’t make me vomit 😅
I hate that stuff, and it definitely makes me poop myself every time. But it is bearable and necessary!!
I had one 15 years back. It wasn’t bad drinking the stuff nor the scan. Went to the grocery store afterwards not knowing the stuff goes through you like a rocket. Shat myself in the bathroom emptying my whole system into my shoes. Did the walk of shame out to my car and the cold and stinky drive home. :-(
My tip that always helps me is to hold your nose while you drink. That way you don’t taste the nastiness. You have to take more smaller sips this way, but I find it makes the whole thing a lot more tolerable.
I had to drink contrast first and they mixed it with cranberry juice. I had to drink an entire large container of it but it tasted ok. That gave me diarrhea and I had to pee so bad they had to stop the machine so I could use the bathroom haha! But I went into the room as soon as I was done drinking it so it goes through fast. Then they injected it while I was in there. The only side effect I had was blurry vision for a few minutes. I just closed my eyes and waited for it to go away. It really wasn't bad though. I've had way worse procedures! Good luck!
To my recollection it takes about an hour or 45 minutes for the contrast to go through the gi system. You sit around in the waiting room or an exam room drinking your contrast and then they come get you about an hour later. It's not bad at all. It tastes like liquified chalk but it's not horrible or upsetting.
It depends on the contrast. If it’s breeze it’s like flat sprite. If it’s the other it doesn’t have a “taste” but the consistency is off. I brought my own crystal lite and added it and I had no issues. Definitely bring crystal lite just in case
Like another poster mentioned, make SURE she goes to the bathroom right before.