How to help my body after a CT Scan

[rawpromises]

I am choosing to have a CT scan with dye this upcoming week. It is a choice that I'm nervous about but am willing to do so to find out some answers. My question isn't about weather to do the scan or not it's about what is the best way to treat my body after the scan. I'm afaird if I do an enema or only drink green juices I may dump all the toxins from the dye into my system to fast. Anyone have an approach that may be helpful to my situation. Thanks in advance.

[Traceyraw]

I know juice fasting is a good way to detox. You can speed it up by only doing water but it sounds like your looking for aslower detox. Heavier dehydrated foods tend to slow detox way down along with banannas and dates. If you don't feel comfortable with an enema don't do it. Im crazy for green juice but since doing a juice fast I found I love fruit and carrot juices also. There are great recipes for juices on the fasting thread. Listen to your body if you need to get the stuff out speed up your detox a little. Best Wishes

[rawpromises]

Tracey- Thank you so much for the fast reply and wonderful information. I really am clueless as to how to approch the detox of the chemicals in the dye from the ct scan. I thought a slow approach would be better. I am afraid it will shock my liver and body by getting it out too fast but then again getting it out may be better than letting it stay in for longer periods of time. Trying to think this though in my head. I guess better out then in as fast as possible.
I will most certainly look in the fasting thread for juice advice. Again many thanks.

[MysticTree]

Good luck with the scan. I think getting rid of the dye will depend rather a lot on what they put in it.

[rawpromises]

Iodine. I have to drink something the night before but the iodine is in the iv. I'm getting the ct on my pelivs and abdomen. Any suggestion on iodine.

[rawmiss]

It looks to me like the iodine will harm the kidneys but an inexpensive drug will help protect them.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003788.htm
"In people with kidney problems, the dye may have toxic effects on the kidneys. In these situations, special steps may be taken to make the CT scan safer."

http://www.biology-online.org/articles/study-ct-scan-angiogram-people.html
"Iodine contrast agents that enhance the scans can harm vulnerable kidneys, but N-acetylcysteine taken beforehand can protect at-risk patients"

"Only studies that involved intravenous iodine-containing contrast agents, and compared a drug with a water or saline control, were included in the analysis. Oral “milkshake” barium contrast agents, used in CT scans of the digestive system, do not cause kidney damage, and were not included."

Not sure of the dosage this seems to mention using just one tablet and gives no indication of how long beforehand it hould be taken."In fact, Kelly says, patients who know they have weakened kidneys – also called impaired renal function – should speak up when their doctor orders a CT scan, angiogram or angioplasty, and make sure they get a tablet of N-acetylcysteine beforehand."

"Tablets of prescription-strength N-acetylcysteine are inexpensive – about 25 cents for a 500 milligram tablet – and stocked by most pharmacies. It has few side effects. Over-the-counter supplement forms of the drug should not be used for pre-scan kidney protection."

Here is the drug, N-acetylcysteine, it is found at Wal-Greens. Like they said the OTC version should be avoided but if you can't get it anyother way then you could buy OTC.
http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/foodscience-of-vermont-n-acetyl-cysteine-500-mg-dietary-supplement-capsules/ID=prod6051514-product

I would talk to your Doc about dosage and a prescription perhaps?

[rawpromises]

Wow, that was very nice and thoughtful of you to look that all up and take the time to post it for me. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. It's times like this that the kindness of others means so much. Thank you very much.

[Amarynth]

Hi!

Last May I had a hysterectomy (uterine cancer) and afterward I became very ill with a bacterial infection. I had several of these abdominal CT scans during the course of my hospitalization (1 in the Er and 2 in the medical center they transferred me to). I had to drink the contrast and they also injected it via my IV. For several hours afterward...I had the worst diarrhea imaginable. I was constantly in the bathroom. I was also on heavy doses of antibiotics but the bowel movements was the contrast flushing itself from my body...or rather my body flushing the contrast out. I think drinking lots of water would help this process, and since I was constantly getting a saline drip AND drinking lots of water helped to rid my body of the substance. Drink lots of water, keep positive and you'll be fine. :D Good luck to you, my prayers are with you.

[rawpromises]

I'm getting the iv contrast as well. I will start overloading on water today. Tomorrow is my test late in the day. Thanks for the info and the prayers. I'm trying to be positive. I really am approaching this as a new way to heal my body. Wish it didnt' take a scare for me to figure out eating well is always the answer.

[Amarynth]

I certainly know where you are coming from. I had slacked a bit last year, then came the cancer diagnosis which put me back on track. Kinda sad, well no...very sad that it took this to make those changes and stick to them. Good luck tomorrow...and please let us know how it goes. Sending love to ya. :D

[rawpromises]

For all of those who gave me great advice duing this CT I wanted to let you know it came back fine. I have a beign cyst on my kidney but everything else looks great. I had only stomach issues from the scan mostly due to the drinks they gave me to drink but raw food and green juices helped me tremendously with the days that followed. I'm getting ready to start the Feb 30 day challenge and feel completely renewed.

[Amarynth]

yay! That's awesome news! I was wondering about you...so glad everything came back okay and that you didn't have too much trouble from the contrast :D