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Topic: CT Scan stuff

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  • Posted on: Nov 6, 2009 01:35 pm
Baltimore, MD
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39
kathya0814 wrote:

Hi all you stage 4 gals,

I was just wondering when you get you CT scans and you have to drink that bottle of white goo-Readi-Cat it is called. Can I add some flavoring like a kool-aid packet or something like that to help the taste.  I can hardly get it down and then when I  get to my scan appt they hand me another one to drink.  Well, needless to say I drank very little of the 2nd bottle.   Any suggestions on this are appreciated.

Kathy


Diagnosis: 3/2009, Stage IV, 1/18 nodes, mets
Posts 1 - 14 (14 total)
Nanalinda
NY
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 341
Nov 6, 2009 02:13 pm Nanalinda wrote:

At my hospital they add fruit punch flavoring which makes it much easier to get down.  I couldn't imagine drinking it without the flavoring... you have to drink so much!  Call the department before you go and ask them if they could do this for you, or if you could bring your own flavoring to add to it.


Diagnosis: 7/26/2006, IDC, 3cm, Stage IV, Grade 3, 0/1 nodes, mets, ER-/PR-, HER2-
RobinWendy
Long Island, NY
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,281
Nov 6, 2009 02:28 pm RobinWendy wrote:

I just had my scan so I really relate to your loathing for the contrast stuff.  It takes all my mental fortitude not to "give it all back" (if you know what I mean) after i manage to choke it down.  It used to taste like orange Tang but now they give this white viscous milky crap that is VILE VILE VILE!!!

I know that my scan facility is now part of a larger 2 hospital group and they insist on using the same contrast so no way would they change it for me.  I hope you have better luck... both with the contrast and your results!!

Robin 

dx Stage II primary BC in Jan. 2001;dx with DCIS on other breast in Jan. 2003; dx with mets to lungs in Jan. 2004 (What's up with me and January, anyway?)
LuAnnH
Cincinnati, OH
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,740
Nov 6, 2009 07:22 pm LuAnnH wrote:

I always ask for the clear contrast or whatever that stuff is called.  I just tell them I do frequent scans and I can't stomach that nasty chalky crap!  They mix ours with orange tang it it is alot easier to get down that way.

LuAnn -- www.luannsblog.typepad.com
Diagnosis: 7/2/2006, IDC, 2cm, Stage IV, mets, ER+/PR+, HER2+
EnglishMajo…
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 33
Nov 6, 2009 09:24 pm EnglishMajor wrote:

A ReadiCat for breakfast, a Readicat for lunch and a sensible dinner and the pounds just melted off! Just kidding, I read that somewhere and it cracked me up. I got a straw from 7-11 for a Big Gulp and basically tried not to let the stuff hit my tongue. Just send it straight over your tonsils!


Diagnosis: 7/6/2009, IDC, 3cm, Stage IV, Grade 3, mets, ER+/PR+, HER2-
chainsawz
Tucson, AZ
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 258
Nov 6, 2009 10:16 pm chainsawz wrote:

I get scans every 3 months and have to drink that goop....so gross!  I just can't believe we can put people on the moon, and this is the best we can do for an abdominal ct...LOL!!!   I didn't realize they had clear contrast, so I will be asking for that with a little tang.  They only offer me vanilla  and it's ruining my love of that flavor :>  Does anyone else get horrible diarrhea from that stuff?  I get it almost immediately after I start drinking it and get some lovely stomach cramps while on the table.  I am always in a panic that I cannot wait until after the scan.  Good times!  lisa

Lisa -mets to lungs & brain.....the weakest step toward the top of the hill, toward sunrise, toward hope, is stronger than the fiercest storm.
Diagnosis: 7/21/2008, IDC, 3cm, Stage IV, Grade 3, 0/2 nodes, mets, ER-/PR-, HER2+
pee
spring hill, fl
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 143
Nov 6, 2009 10:29 pm pee wrote:

The best I can do is the straw trick like englishmajor does.  I also try to just keep gulping on the straw to get as much of that junk down each suck of the straw...the more I suck it the less likely it is to touch my tongue.  Gross stuff.

Love and Blessings, Pee
Diagnosis: 12/19/2008, 6cm+, Stage IV, Grade 3, 6/6 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Irina
Rockford, IL
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 699
Nov 6, 2009 11:59 pm Irina wrote:

I'm OK with drinking this BS. When I drink this lovely stuff, I always think this is only small crab from TX, we have much worse crab, and after scans I can have chocolate, because I was good girl.

Dx 2/2004, 4cm, Stage IV, 5/0 nodes, mets ER+PR+HER2-
Diagnosis: 2/2004, IDC, 4cm, Stage IV, 5/0 nodes, mets, ER+/PR+, HER2-
RobinWendy
Long Island, NY
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,281
Nov 7, 2009 10:01 am RobinWendy wrote:

I had to cancel plans to see a friend play with her band because I was tethered to the toilet following my scan with that evil drink.  The tang stuff did not affect me that way but now that the stuff is just about as revolting as it can be... I get the added bonus of having to rush right home and stay within 10 feet of the bathroom!!!

dx Stage II primary BC in Jan. 2001;dx with DCIS on other breast in Jan. 2003; dx with mets to lungs in Jan. 2004 (What's up with me and January, anyway?)
LuAnnH
Cincinnati, OH
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,740
Nov 7, 2009 03:30 pm LuAnnH wrote:

See I don't get the gas and diahreahha every time.  I never know when I will have it.  My onc used to order a bone scan and a ct scan all on the same day.  This way you don't have to run back and fort to the hospital all the time.  I hated when I felt that gas because it is hard to lay still for that bone scan knowing your insides are just waiting and building up pressure to explode!

LuAnn -- www.luannsblog.typepad.com
Diagnosis: 7/2/2006, IDC, 2cm, Stage IV, mets, ER+/PR+, HER2+
ElaineD
United Kingdom
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 979
Nov 7, 2009 03:32 pm ElaineD wrote:

I'm so used to the taste now, it doesn't bother me any more! I do get some strange looks from other people waiting while I merrily glug my drink down!


Diagnosis: 11/4/2007, 5cm, Stage IV, Grade 3, ER+/PR-, HER2+
Gg08
Bonnie
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 669
Nov 7, 2009 07:30 pm, edited Nov 10, 2009 11:12 PM by Gg08 Gg08 wrote:
This Post was deleted by Gg08.
mthomp2020
Loveland, OH
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 878
Nov 8, 2009 04:55 pm, edited Nov 8, 2009 04:56 PM by mthomp2020 mthomp2020 wrote:

I've always gotten the chalky contrast, one bottle.  I always ask for the berry flavor, as that's the least offensive one.  I have to drink half, then the other half an hour later.  Thankfully, it doesn't really taste that bad, and I can gulp it down pretty fast.  I drink it at home before I go to my scan appointment. I just don't like not being able to eat anything beforehand. 


Diagnosis: 5/21/2007, IDC, Stage IV, Grade 3, mets, ER-/PR-, HER2+
EGAL
RI
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 468
Nov 8, 2009 06:56 pm EGAL wrote:

I only have a choice of the chalky, berry flavored stuff.  I have to drink two bottles, beginning two hours (total of 4 cups) before scans.  I use a straw and make sure it is very, very cold.  I do okay with the first two cups, the third is so-so and the final one, I am gagging.  Hate that stuff! 

Ellen

EGAL 10/06 dx'd with IDC Stage 3, 10/08 brain mets
Diagnosis: 10/19/2006, IDC, 6cm+, Stage IV, Grade 3, 15/17 nodes, mets, ER-/PR-, HER2+
konakat
Ottawa, ON
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,610
Nov 8, 2009 09:52 pm konakat wrote:

I had to get the apple flavour once because they were out of the berry.  It wasn't as bad, not so sickly sweet.  And I keep it very cold and chug it fast!  And yeah, I'm tied to the toilet afterwards...

Elizabeth's Mantra: When in doubt, eat cake. When you haven't a clue, add ice cream.
Diagnosis: 5/2007, ILC, 3cm, Stage IV, Grade 3, 13/19 nodes, mets, ER+/PR+, HER2+

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