oral contrast for CT Scan of Abdomen?

Question

Hi-

My mom had a CT scan with an oral contrast that was clear - looked like water, about 1/2 later it gave her such a bad case of the runs she couldn't make it to the bath room..... this was on Thursday , when she came home from the hsopital , she complained of a "buring " in her stomach , which she still has today - Staurday . She says she feels sick - nausoious.. and she want to sleep.
HAs anyone ever heard of anything like this.. no ideaq what kind of oral contrast it was, but it was clear like water...
not sure if i should call her dosctor, go to er, wait it out , or ive her soemthing?

thanks all

Answer 1

I would say you should call her doctor. But, the contrast we use in our CT studies is not clear. It is a barium based contrast, and it does not cause diarrhea...in fact, it can constipate older, inactive patients. I am guessing that your mother was given a bowel prep which is used to clean out the colon. The colon is cleaned out in order to rid the colon of fecal material.

Answer 2

Check with the doctor. You can call the office & speak with the answering service. They will contact the doctor or nurse on duty & someone will call you back with recommendations. many of the contrasts use an extract found in shellfish, so if your mom has an allergy or sensitivity to shellfish that could explain the reaction. More of a reason to call.

Answer 3

Call her doctor.

Answer 4

Haha, you said ORAL!!!