Questions about CT (CAT) Scan?

Ugh, tomarrow at 10 in the morning.. im supposed to have a head CT scan done.. and i have some questions.

I've been reading about it and ive heard a lot about contrast stuff that's given in either IV, to drink, or an enema.

Now.. my doctor had me get some blood drawn the other day to check if my liver was okay.. (cuz ive been having problems being wet /down there/ and she wanted to see if it was related to my liver)

I have to have nothing to eat or drink after midnight tonight... and i had to have the blood work done BEFORE the CT scan.. and it said on the slip that the blood work people had to send the results to be contrasted with.. SOMETHING BEFORE i could even get the CT scan done!


So i guess my question is.. because it's a head CT scan.. will i have to drink a contrast? will it be an IV? will there even be a constrast at ALL?

What effects will this contrast have? when my mom had one, they told her she couldnt drive afterwards..


.....more....

Thanks everyone, so far :3

I duno my mom might have gotten something else... >_< thats just what my dad said.


Uhm.. So ive never had an IV before.. does it feel like a needle feels like when getting your blood drawn?

Ugh i hate that feeling.. makes me go nuts... >.<

so how come some people get the contrast liquid and some dont?

I dont now if im allergic to iodine.... I dont think ive ever been around any before.. ANd i never eat fish.. soo.. >_<

I'm not allergic to anything else....


Umm... also im not on any medications at all..


If you guys who already answered have any more input, feel free to email me.. caiterz@gmail.com (cuz you cant answer twice, lol)

thanks SOOO much!

~Cait

I'm assuming you are having a brain CT. Generally they are done with and without IV contrast (they take pictures before and after the contrast goes in). It may make you feel warm and have a metallic taste in your mouth, but it goes away quickly. It's a very fast, easy, painless test. An IV is not a big deal - sometimes you feel a little poke, sometimes you don't feel it at all.

I'm not sure about the bloodwork... they might want to check the levels of BUN and creatinine in your blood to make sure that your kidneys can handle the contrast.

I question why your mother couldn't drive afterwards... is it possible that she had an MRI with a sedative, not a CT?

I had a head CT scan two years ago. It was on my sinuses. I did not have to drink anything, get an IV, or anything like that. I doubt you would have to either. I may be wrong though.

The lab work is to see if your kidneys are functioning well enough for the dye. The dye is given IV. There should not be any problems with the contrast dye. They will ask you for allergies though. Sometimes there is iodine in it so if you are allergic to shellfish this could be a contraindication.