CAT scan - what to expect?

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Hi all

I’ve had 2 MRI scans in the past and found them difficult to say the least due to claustrophobia. Are you enclosed to the same degree during a CAT scan? Eeek

C x

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Hi chichi,
Had a ct scan recently and didn’t,t involve being inside anything. It was just a large donut shaped thing which passed over the bits they were looking at, Bit like being scanned by a polo mint,
Hope that helps
Herbi x

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Thanks Herb that’s reassuring.

C x

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Hi, I was a real wimp about all of this but I did get through it all. Yes, the can is only a slimish donut thing which you pass under a few times. I closed my eyes and couldn’t tell. For me, the nasty surprise was needing to have a canula in my hand. I told them I was really scared of it and they were so gentle and kind…

You pass under the donut once or twice, then they come in and rig up the canula so when you go through again, it gves a dose of a fluid which alters the nature of the second lot of images. The fluid makes you feel warm when it goes through your body and you get a feeling of peeing, though you don’t!!! In all I think it took about 20 mins. There aren’t any after effects and it really wasn’t scary.

Best of luck it will soon be over!!!

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Hi non

Had no idea about the canula - thanks - won’t come as a shock now.

C x

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The CT scanner will tell you when to breathe in and when to hold your breath and when to breathe out again.

Easy peasy really - and you get to drink lots of a fluid that tastes just like pernod or ouzo so you can pretend that you are sitting on a beach somewhere really hot and chill out!!!

I hope that my MRI scan this Tuesday is as easy as now have had 2 CAT scans - without the peeing sensation!!!

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I had two CT scans and did not get a canula; I however was injected a product prior to the scan. It gives you a little hot flush and feels like you need a wee and nothing more.
There are other types of scan when you have to drink some stuff prior to the test. I have seen some patient in the waiting room having to drink about 1/2 liter of a special fluid. Not sure if that it also for CT scan though. Good luck, CT scans are a breather compared to MRI.

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Yes - I had to drink before my CAT scans, and have sorted out the CD I am going to listen to for my MRI which includes one of the pieces from my Daughter’s wedding. I shall close my eyes and drift back in time to that wonderful day in August 2010.

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Good luck Mazza - I found the best thing to do was keep my eyes closed during an MRI and it’s soon over.

All best wishes

C x