Contrast Dyes for CT Scans

Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone has any information regarding the dyes used for CT scans.

Need renal done with and without contrast, and concerned that CT dye could cause a spike or worsened tinnitus. (I know there are no hard and fast answers.)

My doc ordered both with and without, but I think I can refuse the contrast the day of the test if I decide against it.

Wanted to get some input from folks here as to any literature (or links, or personal experience) with CT contrast dye and any possible effects on tinnitus. I did speak to someone at the MDs office about it, but they didn't seem to know anything about it.

Thanks,

Mystery Reader

 

Hi! I recently had a CT scan of my head with contrast dye last month. Results showed nothing wrong.

But as for my experience it was for the most part positive. I'm a very anxious person so I was surprised by how easy it went for me. It is definitely not as loud as an MRI. The contrast dye is weird bc when it goes in it literally heats your entire body up from head to toe. It's a very weird sensation but it's over in a matter of seconds. They told me after the test to drink lots of water to help my system flush the dye out. I didn't experience any side effects. Didn't affect my T but I was taking an antidepressant at the time that kept my T low.

Hope this helps.

 

I am up for a CT in a week. I have severe H.... how bad was the sound? What kind of sound does it make?

 

As a CT technologist and T sufferer I can tell you first hand that the contrast does not have effect on T. The CT is not as noisy as a MRI by any means, you just hear the tube spinning up. If you have earplugs in you wont even notice it

 

Can I use earmuffs? They look a bit more spacey than MRI

 

no contrast didn't die.

 

If you are having a CT of your head then I would not use ear muffs because the metal can cause streaking artifact in the pictures. Foam ear plugs are fine.