Extreme diarrhea after CT scan?

I had a CT scan yesterday, and had contrast fluid through an IV, as well as some that I had to drink. About an hour after the scan I was having some serious cramping, and within an hour after that I had awful diarrhea (sorry for too much information). I was sick for the next 12 hours, and have never been that sick to my stomach before in my life.

The doctor didn't mention that as a side effect, nor does anything that I read online mention it. Has anyone else that has had a CT scan had this issue, or am I reacting poorly and should contact the technician or something?

Oral CT scan contrast media has a high osmololar formula, so it can cause diarrhea as a side effect, which is actually quite common depending on the quantity consumed, and how sensitive your bowels are. I would let your doctor know, and make sure that if you require another scan that you let someone know that you had diarrhea and abdominal cramping from oral contrast media. You should be okay with the IV contrast media, since the reason you got diarrhea was basically because the high osmolar content of the liquid constrast you drank pulled water from your intestinal tract, sort of the same thing that happens if you've ever drunk a bowel prep solution like magnesium citrate.

sounds like a side effect
tell them if you have to have it again

Was it a CT Abdomen & Pelvis? It could be the stuff you had to drink before you had the scan done for prep....??

Yes, that can be a problem with contrast. And if you talk to your Dr. you might want to tell him what happened. I've had it a couple times , and some times I didn't .

Yeah, I had that side effect from the Barium Sulphate milk shake the have you drink when they scan your abdomen. I also live 1.5 hours away from the hospital I get them done at, and the doctor didn't warn me either.