I only had the basic contrast which is, I believe based on Iodine so I have no experience of the other stuff. Before the scan you will probably be asked to sign a consent form for the contrast medium and if they know you have any issues with your kidneys they will take extra care. At the end of the scan I was told to drink plenty of water to flush the contrast out of the kidneys and they asked me to remain in the department for a while before they removed the cannula so that they could be sure I had no adverse reaction
When the iodine contrast goes in you get a weird sensation that you have wet yourself - not painful or even unpleasant but just weird because you haven't. I think we all get a muscle relaxant that aims to damp down the normally continuous movement of our intestines so that the images are clearer.
I was asked to put on two hospital gowns with one tying at the front and the other at the back so I was covered Fore and Aft!
I don't remember the plate as being heavy but you should tell the radiologists of your concerns so they can advise you. They really do want to make it as easy for you as possible and you will be in contact with them all the time. You usually go in feet first so for a lot of the time your head is not enclosed. I seemed to be going in and out the machine quite a bit and lost track of time all together although my husband did have to go out and feed the parking meter. My sons are keen on heavy metal music and there was a distinct resemblance to the sounds I heard!
Thank you Old Lady. That helps a great deal. I sometimes think we just leave our dignity at the door and collect it again on the way out! Covered fore and aft is a bonus lol xx
I have stage 3 chronic kidney disease (I had my right kidney removed in Sept 2017 due to endometriosis blocking the ureter). If it helps, my GFR is 46 and my creatinine levels range from 99 to 120. I’m currently having a chest, abdomen and pelvis CT scan with contrast dye every 3 months to monitor my reoccurrence. An hour before the scan, I have to drink a milkshake solution so that the results of the scan are more accurate. I’m not going to lie, it’s yucky and you feel like hurling after drinking a litre of it!! The injection of the contrast dye is a breeze compared to that.
Prior to the scan, you should be asked to complete a health questionnaire. Once I've highlighted my kidney issues, they always double check my blood test results for my creatinine level and GFR before they start any prep work for the scan. After the scan, I’m always told to drink 2 litres of water to make sure the kidney is flushed through.
The other ladies are spot on with their clothing suggestions. I go in my own clothes making sure there is nothing metal on anything. My CT scan only lasts 8 mins (30 mins to get the cannula in lol). The MRI was about 40 mins, which seemed to fly by - you’re too busy counting and holding your breath in for the required timings!!
