I`m getting A cat scan on monday. i have chrons, and have a general pain in my belly?

I also have a shap pain on my right lower side of my belly and when i go #2 i get tons of pain and blood. what are they looking for in the Cat scan?

a cat scan can be especially helpful in detecting abscesses.
fyi it is Crohn's Disease

hmmm.. make sure you take your dog with you in case they need LAB work too!

Sure its not your appendix, LRQ pain tends to an appendix problem.

Good luck and blessings to you.

tumors, polyps, diverticuli

hi j, I have had crohn's disease since the age of 12.

A CAT scan, also known as a CT scan, takes simultaneous X-rays from several different angles to reconstruct a realistic image of the internal organs. You may be given contrast by mouth, by rectum, or through the veins to improve the quality of the test. During the test, you will lie on a special table that advances through the scanner so images are taken at each level of your abdomen. Newer CT scanners may have an open design to minimize the claustrophobia (that feeling of being "closed in"). A CT scan of the abdomen takes five to 20 minutes to complete, depending on the information required.

Abdominal CT scans are used primarily to evaluate IBD patients who have abdominal pain and fever. Although this test can confirm that inflammation is present in the small or large intestine, it is used more importantly to rule out complications of IBD. These complications include intra-abdominal abscesses, strictures, small bowel obstructions, fistulas, and bowel perforation. A CT scan is also useful in eliminating other diagnoses that can mimic IBD, such as appendicitis. Additionally, CT scan can be used to help your physician drain an abscess. A small needle and a catheter can be passed through the skin into the abscess to drain the pus, thus avoiding surgery.

For more information, check out the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America website. there you can find information on latest treatments, diet, tests used in ppl with IBD, exercise, surgery, as well as locating a local support chapter near you. You can also chat live with a healthcare worker well versed in CD M-F 9 am - 5 pm.

For pain mgt, try a heating pad on your belly where it's sore 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off or a Thermacare heatwrap for your back. Move the heating discs to the front so that way you can sleep w/it for 8 hrs. Ask your GI if you can take something for the spasms like dicyclomine or hyocosamine, for pain tylenol w/codeine or percocet.

I wish you a speedy remission.