CT scan experience

[Guest guest]

Dear all,

I thought I share with you all today's experience.

I had to have a CT scan and a BMB, appointment for the CT scan was early in the morning and blood test and BMB to follow. I go to Swindon for this, just 15 minutes by train.

I had a CT scan last December and had no problems, but a new one was needed as I will start treatment on the 9th of June so this is part of the protocol.

They told me they were going to infuse a dye, I said they did not do it last time, the reply was they want it this way as with the dye it shows better, so I went along with it, they inserted the needle and the person doing it felt it was not right, so asked the nurse incharge to check it, she flushed a couple of liquid bits and said it was ok, so I went into the room got all the instructions etc. etc. and when it started I felt a pressure on my arm, the scan only takes a very short time, she came in and asked me if I had any pain, I said no a pain but a pressure on my arm, she said the dye did not get into the vain, so she tried to get as much of the liquid out and then we left the room, into the next room, my arm started to swell a bit, she said it provably be ok but if I was worried about it come back after I had everything else done and she would see to it.

By the time I went to the 3er floor for my blood test the arm was getting bigger, then after the blood test I went for the BMB and had a message my consultant wanted to see me, so she came to talk about various things related to Campath etc. etc. and I mentioned the arm, she looked at it and said you better go back after you finish here, we do not want any problems before we start treatment.

By the time the BMB was done, by the way it was fast and painless, my arm was like a balloon, honestly just like that a thin wrist and a blown up long balloon, the BMB doctor also said better go back, so I did.

The CT scan nurse had a look at my arm and said I will call the doctor now, a couple of minutes later she came back and said I am taking you to the accident and emergency room, they got more experience with this.

I have to admit they were very quick, a senior doctor came and looked at my arm asked the relevant questions about how it felt etc. how it happened etc., with the nurse there feeling rather bad.

I got my arm put up and a large pack of ice on top, to keep the swelling down, I had doctors, nurses etc. seeing me, after about an hour two nurses came and said they were going to take me to the observation room and keep me for 4 hours, the ice helped a bit but very slow, any way they checked me enough times to make sure I was ok and then after about 3 hours the doctor came and looking at me said do you want to go home, I said well yes I am not feeling ill, she said I can trust you are sensible so we'll wait a bit longer and we will send you home.

About an hour later another doctor came to see me and said I could go home but, if I had any tickling or the fingers or any blistering in the arm, to go back straight away to the hospital, I said casually can I just go to the small local hospital in Chippenham and he said NO, you came here, if that happens we have to act fast, and he told me what they would do which I can't remember, he said I would provably be ok, but one can not take any risk and things could happen within 24 hours, so I promised him that I would do as he said if any things like that happens.

My arm stills swell but doesn't look bad, only because the other one is so thin, sorry I have to see the funny side of things, I was not planning to spend a whole day in hospital but in a way it was good, I felt I was very healthy seeing all the ill people there and hearing their pains etc.

I wonder if any one has ever have such experience with a CT scan!!. I think when I have the one 8 weeks into the treatment, I will just say sorry no I do not want any dye.

Chonette