CT Scan - $hitting myself

Fiolina

I have to go for a CT scan tomorrow and I'm petrified! Can anyone here reassure me.
I know it will last bout 20 mins and they said it would be noisy.
Can I wear headphones/listen to music?
I'm going to take a xanax before it but even with that I'm afraid I'll freak out as I'm a very nervous person. I've been too nervous to google this so any reassurance here would be great. Thanks

Mark Tapley

I don't think the CT scan is that noisy in comparison to an MRI scan. The technician will need to talk to you via an intercom during the scan so no music. It is quite reassuring to hear their voice though. Try not to worry it will be over before you know it.

Orion

It's an MRI that's noisy - don't think a CT is. They do give you headphones with music playing during an MRI. When they need to talk to you it's over the music. It's completely painless and safe. Just close your eyes and go off to a happy place while it's running.

Fiolina

Thanks for replies, feel a little bit better already

ChewChew

CT scan is not as daunting as an MRI and it's certainly not noisy. Depending on what part of your body the scan is on, just lie there and close your eyes. It will be over before you know it and you'll probably even hear the radiographers having a chit chat amongst themselves good luck!!

solomafioso

I had to get a (ct/mri) scan on my jaw and, although I am quite claustrophobic, I found it grand.

What got me through is breathing exercises. I'm sure it sounds hokey, but worked for me. Just try to lie there and concentrate on your breath coming in and going out. Then try to concentrate on your stomach rising and falling with each. Then maybe concentrate on the nose, cold in, warm out.

It'll be over before you know it!

sheesh

had a ct scan last year it was grand. you just lie there not moving.

Are you worried about the results or the scan itself? Its a bit star treky (but not as much as I had hoped )

I think its brilliant that we have technology like this.

solomafioso

sheesh wrote: »

I think its brilliant that we have technology like this.

I agree, pity we don't have the resources to back it up! :pac:

*opens can of worms*

Mark Tapley

My MRI was in the UK, no music , must be the cutbacks.

solomafioso

Mark Tapley wrote: »

My MRI was in the UK, no music , must be the cutbacks.

Ah, you got some dubstep! :pac:

byhookorbycrook

I have being having an MRI every three months, only music recently has been local radio, I'd prefer the bangs any day!! I am quite claustrophobic and have had the added extra of an additional "cage" around my head too. I've found it best to close my eyes and keep them closed until I'm done.
CTs are far easier (have had them too.) If you take a Xanax, you can't drive home after.

Fiolina

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

I have being having an MRI every three months, only music recently has been local radio, I'd prefer the bangs any day!! I am quite claustrophobic and have had the added extra of an additional "cage" around my head too. I've found it best to close my eyes and keep them closed until I'm done.
CTs are far easier (have had them too.) If you take a Xanax, you can't drive home after.

Hi. Jesus every three months is tough. I'm claustrophobic too. I has a bone scan last week and kept my eyes shut through the whole thing and it wasn't as bad as I though. I know about the xanax and driving, my sister will be my chauffeur for the day. Thanks and best of luck to you

kerry4sam

sheesh wrote: »

had a ct scan last year it was grand. you just lie there not moving.

Are you worried about the results or the scan itself? Its a bit star treky (but not as much as I had hoped )

I think its brilliant that we have technology like this.

I thought this also last Thursday when I had my repeat MRI. Mind-blowing, just remarkable pieces of technology.

You'll be okay. Just try focus on the music and the time will be over before you know. They'll check in on you through the head-phones anyways to ensure you are doing okay. Also give you a panic-button in event you feel you need them to stop for anything.

skallywag

CT scan should be grand altogether, MRI makes the racket, basically down to the electric currents starting and stopping in the magnets. I myself was much more apprehensive about the contrast die injection when I did an MRI myself a few months back, though it turned out all grand in the end.

A bit off topic, but interesting nonetheless: MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) was originally called NMRI (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging) but they had to drop the N from the name as people were getting freaked out by the word "Nuclear", with some taking the meaning that it was somehow harmful. It's completely safe of course.