So last friday I got a CAT scan. I thought it was going to be super easy: you just lie on a table and it goes in and out of a tube right? NOPE! I had no idea that you would need an IV during the whole process and that they would be shooting iodine inside of your body and what that felt like. So if anybody needs to get a CAT scan, I’m going to share my experience so you won’t be surprised like I was!

For most people, an IV is not a big deal but for me it is because I HATE needles! So that was already freaking me out even though it shouldn’t considering I’ve had about 10+ needles stuck in me in the last month. Also, for some reason my veins don’t show very well on my arm so the nurses always have the hardest time sticking the needle in me. They always stick it in and miss and have to keep doing it. All the while, they have that tight rubberband on my arm cutting off all circulation. UGH! So after missing the vein on my right arm she decides to try my left arm and finally gets it in.

Next, everybody leaves the room so you’re all alone and they start talking to you through an intercom. The table you are on will start moving in and out of the tube. My tube was more of a donut shape though but I think there are different kinds. The nurse tells me to take a deep breath and hold it while he moves me in and out of the tube. After they do that a few times, they tell me they are ready to shoot the iodine in me.

This part sucks. I don’t know how it feels for a guy but this is how it feels for a girl. Before they did it, they told me my arm would feel tingly, I would taste metal in my mouth as if there was a coin in there, and also that my vagina would feel tingly! So when it actually happened, my arm was tingly and very cold. It felt like ice was being shot through my arm. Very weird feeling. The taste in my mouth was very intense and gross. Tasting metal in your mouth is not fun either. And of course the weirdest feeling was definitely the whole tingly vagina thing. I felt like I was peeing in my pants!! Also, as I felt the iodine going through the rest of my body it was harder and harder to breathe. I felt like I was drowning. It’s a good thing I am not claustrophobic or else I would definitely be freaking out more than I was. After about a minute, it finally stopped and it felt better. They had me walk around the room to get the iodine around my body.

They had me go in and out of the tube a few more times after that and then it was finally done! Anyways, it was not a simple and easy procedure. But then again, I’m a wuss when it comes to hospital/doctor related things! heheh.