CT Scans

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leggo
leggo Member Posts: 3,293
edited March 2016 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

I'm hoping we have some CT techs out there that can answer a question for me (or anyone else for that matter). I get scans every three months. ALWAYS, I've been given that prep drink (usually but not always TELEBRIX) to drink with a litre of water, two or three hours before....then given that little extra drink right before the scan. The last two times, I've not had to do anything but drink 2 cups of water in the hours prior, still got the same drink right before. Last time I asked what's up, the tech said she wasn't sure....I blew it off. This time, I asked again and the tech gave me the same "I don't know" but with that I-really-do-know-but-not-telling look on her face, like it's a closely guarded secret. I'm a little concerned about the new procedure, and of course I'm thinking all kinds of things....all bad. If anyone knows what's up, please let me know. Don't worry if it's a bad reason (I've already concluded that I'm not worth the price of the telebrix because I'm half dead anyway). In any event, I must say it's so much easier to get down 2 cups of water in 30 minutes than a whole litre, so I'm not going to complain. If it happens to be the new protocol for cancer patients, I really gotta wonder what the deal was in forcing them to drink all that stuff in the first place. Not easy when you don't feel good. FWIW, I'm in Canada and know we do things differently in these parts.

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  • LindaE54
    LindaE54 Member Posts: 2,054
    edited March 2016

    Leggo, that's interesting because I hear so many drinking yucky stuff for CT scans. Over the past 2 years, I was never, ever given anything else but 4 glasses of water 1/2 before the CT scan. Needless to say I have to run the bathroom as soon as I get off the table LOL! I always wondered if it was cost related. Would not be the least bit surprised...

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited March 2016

    Linda, do you know if the water they're giving you has that clear, tasteless Telebrix stuff in it? I know it's in the little drink right before my scan, and I used to have to mix more of it myself for the litre of water a couple hours before....not anymore. I never had a yucky drink either, just copious amounts of water with the telebrix dye enhancer. Geez, your response makes me wonder if there is a standard procedure even.

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  • LindaE54
    LindaE54 Member Posts: 2,054
    edited March 2016

    Leggo, it's plain water from their water fountain in the waiting room. Everyone and anyone has access to that water.

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited March 2016

    Well then, you've made me feel better about not getting that added enhancer. Now if I could only figure out why the amount of water has been reduced by half. Wonder if we need swollen bladders or something to see stuff. There goes my mind again...who cares what's back there....lost cause.

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  • nancyh
    nancyh Member Posts: 2,644
    edited March 2016

    Leggo - I have no idea - my scans they always use the Redi-cat "smoothie", so completely different protocol, but I will say that over the years, the protocol has changed a couple times based on a couple things. One time they switched how much contrast patients drink because they got a new scanner. Another time the tech said they were using a new injectable dye and therefore the amount of the stuff I had to drink was less. Also, I get scans at two different places, just depends on who has the first available appointment, and the amount of contrast I drink at one place is less than the other, so who knows.

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  • ShazzaKelly
    ShazzaKelly Member Posts: 909
    edited March 2016

    I'm in New Zealand so I'm sure things are slightly different but I alway got sent a chalky drink to have in advance but now I'm just told to drink a litre of water in the hour before. I was told by the tech that the scans with just water read just as well as with enhancer so they have done away with it. I still get the IV contrast though.

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited March 2016

    Thanks for your input ladies. Seems it's different everywhere, so I'll stop stressing so much. I'd love to ask my onc, but I know I'll get that usual "not my area" response. Maybe they just realized that some can't drink a whole litre in such a short time. Perhaps got sick of calling housekeeping :)

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  • Kandy
    Kandy Member Posts: 1,461
    edited March 2016

    So I am a CT tech. Think I can help. Every facility comes up with their own protocol and it does change. The group of radiologists get together and decide on how they want to read them. First just for your info, IV contrast has nothing to do with the oral contrast. IV contrast is given to see the vascular system,enhances the liver, kidneys filter it, then to your bladder. The oral contrast shows your Gastrointestinal tract. Depending on the facility depends how much and what you drink. Some radiologist found that they like looking at them just enhancing with water. There are several different products out there that are tasteless so you think you are just drinking water. The part you drink a couple hours before the scan is actually for the lower GI tract. There has to be time for it to travel. Then the dose right before the scan is for the upper portion. None of this has anything to do with cost when they use contrast the cost for the contrast is built in. Also, the one that is barium based can not be given to someone that might have to have immediate surgery. There are not different protocols per patient, protocols are for the facility. Hope this

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited March 2016

    Thanks Kandy. That was very helpful. That explanation should be pinned somewhere.

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  • Zillsnot4me
    Zillsnot4me Member Posts: 2,687
    edited March 2016

    Great explanation.

    I request the plain stuff. Was told it's iodine. Down it 30 min prior. Tastes like bad water. I bring a lemon and chug it. I cannot stand the artificial flavor or sweetner of the bottled stuff. Maybe I'll bring a little umbrella next time:)

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  • LindaE54
    LindaE54 Member Posts: 2,054
    edited March 2016

    Thank you Kandy! very helpful.

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  • Shutterbug73
    Shutterbug73 Member Posts: 791
    edited March 2016

    Kandy - That was such a helpful response! I too have wondered about the differences in protocol.

    My hospital has me drink 2 large glasses of water with contract (tasteless as far as I can tell) and they add Crystal Light to it. I also get the injection right before going into the machine. I love the warm feeling because the contract drinks always make me cold!

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  • Kandy
    Kandy Member Posts: 1,461
    edited March 2016

    This is in response to Suersis,

    Anytime you get IV contrast you shouldn't have anything on your stomach. So your facility telling you to not eat or drink would be correct. The reason is that when the contrast is injected it creates a very warm feeling as it passes through your body. A flushing feeling. This is the feeling that also can make you nauseous. If you have anything on your stomach there is a much greater chance that you will vomit. And unfortunately this seems to happen right when the scan should be started which messes everything up. You really wouldn't want them to have to inject again cause you were vomiting. So like I said this tremendously decreases the chance that would happen.

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