"Concern About Contrast in Scans"

3 different doctors each requested scans and by coincidence the appointments for 2 CT scans and an MRI were arranged over a 12 day period.  Each has potential for unwelcome news so although I've had scans before I was apprehensive about the upcoming wait for results. In addition because for the first time all 3 scans were in a short time frame I was concerned about having contrast repeatedly, recognising that each doctor was unaware of the others and unaware of how the appointments would schedule. I wondered if it mattered as my understanding was that contrast can have some unwelcome effects.  

So today I asked the radiographer about this, knowing I was down for contrast Head CT today , expecting a contrast Prostate MRI in a few days time followed by a contrast Chest CT around a  week later.  She quickly put me at ease telling me the MRI contrast was a different substance which would not be an issue. She remarked it might be preferable to rearrange the 2nd CT depending on the urgency and took the trouble to check my notes and the scan protocol.

Happily, despite my letter mentioning contrast for the chest CT she ascertained it would not require contrast which pleased me.  She then explained she was able to do the chest scan today as well which really pleased me and did it first followed by the head scan.  I was delighted to have 2 at once to avoid another appointment thereby taking away some of the apprehension that I experience anticipating scans. It was also nice to know that this resulted in freeing up an appointment in a very busy department.