Side effects of enhanced ct scans for lung cancer.

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@troubletwo, you'd have to ask a doctor. On this site, we're primarily survivors who share our experiences.

I've had many CT scans, both with and without contrast. The technician always tells me to drink extra water after the scan. I can tell you that after having over a dozen CT scans in the last three years, my kidneys are fine. I know for sure because I also have a Nephrologist as a result of persistently low blood sodium levels.

It didn't take me long to find this statement from the NIH: "there is still virtually no definitive evidence of effectiveness of N-acetylcysteine (NAC)." The rest of the article shows that the risk of damage from CT contrast in the general population is less than 5%. I hope this information helps.

Thank you Matthew for your experiences and comments. Sure help going forward with all this.

I thank you too Matthew, I hadn't given a thought to the potential side effects of all the cts that I've had done, I know know why they also told me to drink plenty of water afterwards to flush the kidneys as they put it .

Hi
I guess the radiation of ct scans are one thing, and ct scans with contrast are somewhat more potent for the body to handle and flush.
One’s creatinine count seems to be an important factor before going forward with a contrast ct scan?

Thanks. Husband is getting CT scan with liquid and iv contrast next month. I will put drink lots of water afterward on our calendar.

@troubletwo, you may want to check with your doctor. I am on a three month monitoring schedule, and I do have lab work completed prior to receiving the CT contrast for my scans. I have never had a scan delayed due to poor kidney or liver numbers.
Are you getting frequent scans? How long ago were you diagnosed?

Thank you Lisa for your experiences. I am writing on behalf of my hubby that out of the blue found out 3 years ago (October), that he had lung cancer in both his lungs with a different cancer in each lung, and a non smoker. He has had quarterly contrast ct scans and we know the contrast gets filtered through the kidneys each time and I guess my reason for asking the long term effects of these dyes going through your system. Radiation is of course another cause for concern as too much can actually bring on cancer, so a lot on our plate to handle with age also a factor.