Metamucil and CT with contrast

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lori314
Posts: 76
Joined: Sun Oct 20, 2013 10:58 am
Facebook Username: Lori Biddinger

Metamucil and CT with contrast

Postby lori314 » Sun May 25, 2014 4:36 pm

I have my first CT scan on Tuesday. I take Metamucil two times a day. They said nothing to eat or drink 4 hours before the scan. I will be drinking contrast an hour before the scan. Is it ok to take the Metamucil the day before?
7/13 Dx Stage IIIc rectal cancer
8/13 LAR, no ileo
9/13 4 wks of radiation with folfox pump
11/13 12 rounds Folfox, last 2 oxi taken out
6/14 CT Scan-NED
9/14 Colonoscopy-normal
6/15 CT Scan-15+ lung mets, makes me Stage IV
8/15 Irinotecan,Avastin,5FU pump
12/15 chemo break

Lee
Posts: 6207
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:09 pm

Re: Metamucil and CT with contrast

Postby Lee » Sun May 25, 2014 7:09 pm

Check with your Dr first.

I always got the runs following my scans. Something about that barium going through my system like water. Once my bag was sooo full, it was ready to explode. The nurse ran me to the nearest bathroom. I always would bring extra supplies with meon those days and always change just prior to my scans.

Good luck, hope it all good news.

Lee
rectal cancer - April 2004
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!

laneylou
Posts: 97
Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2012 8:25 pm

Re: Metamucil and CT with contrast

Postby laneylou » Sun May 25, 2014 7:18 pm

Seconding what Lee said - especially if you've had an ileostomy reversal/J pouch for rectal cancer or if you have any urgency issues related to colon resection, beware the oral contrast! I got a nasty surprise at my first post-treatment scan (4 months out from reversal) -- a little after drinking the contrast, I got horrible diarrhea and had to run back and forth to the bathroom. When it was my turn, I was scared to death I was going to make a mess on the table! I was wearing pads and thankfully had extras, but it was pretty bad.

At my next onc appointment I kind of scolded him about it - they need to warn the rectal cancer/J-pouchers about that! Next time I am bringing a big bag of Depends with me, and might even eat lightly the day before to see if that helps any.

I don't want to freak you out, but better to be prepared than caught unawares. Hope getting down the contrast is the worst part, and the results are clean for you.
Laine, dx @ 39, 4/12
T3N0M0 Stage IIA
Emergency IVF, 4/12
Chemorad, LAR/temp ileo, FOLFOX (no oxi after #2)
DVT on chemo; IVC filter
Reversal/port out 5/13
IVC filter finally out 2/14
NED (clean CT, scope, CEA)

Cj51
Posts: 893
Joined: Thu May 13, 2010 5:58 pm
Location: Midwest

Re: Metamucil and CT with contrast

Postby Cj51 » Sun May 25, 2014 10:41 pm

Lest you worry too much about this, I'll chime in and say that the barium contrast never bothered me the way the others have described. When I had my ileo, I did fill up the bag faster, and I didn't have to take both bottles, which was a bonus. :-) But after reversal it didn't cause me any problems. I'd go prepared for the worst, but it may not actually play out that way.

Cj
DX Stage IIIb RC, T3N1M0, April 2010, 51
6 wks Xelox/rad 6/10
resection, temp illeostomy 8/10 Complete response!
12 rounds FOLFOX for clean up 9/10, Allergic to Oxi, started Xeloda only 12/10
Ileo takedown 9/28/11
4/2020 NED

justin case
Posts: 4269
Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2011 8:26 am
Location: Katy, Texas

Re: Metamucil and CT with contrast

Postby justin case » Mon May 26, 2014 7:06 am

I stopped at 5 different restrooms on the way home from my first CT with barium. ( I really feel sorry for the first one :roll: ) My bowels were so violent, on my next scan, the doctor ordered a different contrast, although I don't know what they will give me.
Michael
7/11 diagnosed Stage 2 colon and rectal cancer
chemo/rad
lar/temp ilio
Reversal & port removal
21 round of chemo Folfox 9tx, 5fu 12 tx
Last treatment July 2012

michelle c
Posts: 1929
Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:58 am

Re: Metamucil and CT with contrast

Postby michelle c » Mon May 26, 2014 9:04 am

Maybe just have the Metamucil in the morning on the day before your scan and not at night. The first time I had a CT, I was fine but the next one I did find that I had some urgency to use the bathroom and a bit of an upset stomach. All the best to you.
May 25 2009 Dx with CC (sigmoid colon) 2 days after my 44th b'day
CEA prior to surgery 4.7
Jun 3 2009 LAR - Stage III 3/10 lymph nodes
Jul 6 - Dec 10 2009 - 12 cycles FOLFIRI
Genetic testing - inconclusive for Lynch
Jul 2012 port removed & hernia repair


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