I've had some health issues (GI) recently and finally went to the doctor for them.

Long story short, I got a CT scan (my first ever) of my abdomen as my blood tests were normal, and it appears I wasted money, because nothing, apparently, was found.

Plus, their Kool-Aid was really bad. (Those of you who've had an abdomen CT scan know what I mean by this)

So those of you who have had scans of this sort, could you try to help me put my mind at ease? If they didn't find anything on the CT, isn't that bad?

Prayers would be nice, too. Thank you.

My prayers are with you, karm...sending good mojo your way...


Sorry I cant help you I havent had any experience with GI scans...I hope your okay.

Hi karma, My day job is typing hospital reports for ER and admits. I can tell you that practically everybody who walks into an ER gets a CT scan for whatever their complaint is - it's very common.

If your labs are normal, that's a very good sign. If the docs still aren't convinced, that's when they go to an MRI. Have you talked to the docs? What do they say? And ask to see your chart! It will have their opinions on it. And remember, somebody like me typed it up!

Haven't talked to the docs. My main concern is the cost and whether or not I'm going to have to pay the full $3,200 cost (since I didn't "ask permission" as is the custom for procedures like this).

KR, my daughter is also experiencing some GI problems. She did the same test (I think) as you. It seems that she might have an acid reflux problem. She's still researching the matter, but the sense I have is that once completely diagnosed, she'll be able to treat it and live a normal life. I wish you well.

Thanks, Fred. This problem has been plaguing me for a while and it would be nice to finally get rid of it.

I've never thought about it maybe being an acid reflux problem...hrmmm.

An update.

I went in to see a GI doctor and she told me there was a lesion on my liver, and that she recommended an MRI and a colonoscopy.

Yippee.

So I get to have a colonoscopy on the 29th.

Just between you and me, a colonoscopy is a piece of cake.

It's the prep that isn't a lot of fun.

The nice lady scheduling it did make a point of telling me that they'd be giving me "the really good drugs" for the procedure, that I'd probably fall asleep, that sort of thing.

And yeah...the prep.

Is there anything I need to worry about the day of the procedure afterwards, fred? Besides being nuttier than a fruitcake from the drugs.

My experience was pretty dull. I swallowed the goop, did the poop, and then showed up. The doctor said I'd be anesthetized, and could watch the procedure on a monitor if I wanted, but most people simply choose to sleep.

In fact, I had a dual procedure: The doctor chose to perform an endoscopy following the colonoscopy (an endoscopy is when they put a tube down your throat - essentially the opposite procedure), so they upped the dosage on me which put me out like a light.

I woke up in the recovery room (to good news, by the way: I was told I was so clean I didn't have to return for another TEN years!), was given some time to come to, and then was sent home. Even though I had to arrange for transportation, I actually felt like I could have driven, and really suffered no side affects.

I had no marathons scheduled for that day, so I just took it easy. No problem, no fuss, no muss.

You'll do fine.

Hi karmarose-

Since my DS22 just had this procedure today (along with an endoscopy) I think I can tell you a few things about it.

First of all, your doctor will give you all the pertinent instructions about the pre-procedure diet etc (clear liquids for about 24 hours and the "goop"). The day of the procedure, you will have to have someone who will drive you home or be with you on the bus or taxi ride home because you will be loopy and they want you to be safe. If you don't, they won't do the procedure.

I was my DS's driver. I didn't have to be there for the whole time. I just had to confirm that I was the one who would be driving.

It wasn't too bad for him because he really can't remember much of it.

Hope this helps-

This is true! I can't swear to it, but I've heard that just before the procedure is complete, the anesthetist "bumps the dose" a tad -- just enough to cause immediate short-term memory loss.

Whether or not that's true, my gastroenterologist made a point to tell me that I probably wouldn't remember much of it. Sure enough, my memory is very vague on this.

It's not possible to request a video or something of it AFTERWARDS, is it? Do they allow that? I wouldn't want to remain awake in that situation, but, I still want to see the footage.

Not sure about a video...but they gave us pictures!!!!

My dad and my DS's gf may like seeing them, since my dad is a retired Dr. of Internal Medicine and my DS's gf is a nurse. Most likely not top choice for our Christmas card this year though...

Drinking the stuff now. Ugh, it's disgusting. Sorry if this bugs some of you, but...the thought of drinking it has rather scared me and...well...

I'm trying to drink it quickly, but I just can't seem to get it down quickly enough.

An hour. I should have had four of these down by now and I'm barely on my second one! Uggggh.

been there, it's not so bad, hope it all works out well for you...........

Thanks. I just keep getting slower, the stuff's nasty. I knew you guys would understand, so...

Good Luck, karma....I hope everything is fine.

Any tips for drinking the nasty stuff?

Put it in a really big margarita????