CT Scan question

I wasn't really sure where to post this...and this might be a really really stupid question, but it is bugging me!

I am getting a CT scan tomorrow morning and I have to drink this huge bottle of Barium Sulfate...it looks nasty. I have to drink one large bottle 2 hours before the test and then another bottle when I get to the place.

Does anyone know the effects of this liquid? Will I have any digestive difficulties following this test? Now, the really dumb question...but I am really curious...are there any calories in that liquid they are making me drink. It looks like white water.

Can anyone help me out? Thanks!

You shouldn't have any ill effects from the barium sulfate- and it's actually a metal along with some other chemicals- so, i think any calories are negligible.

Good luck with your scans!

well, about the cals in barium - i did a bit of research as i can totally understand u - i wonder how many cals are everywhere - even stupid things like my roll on even if i don't eat it :). before i did the research i thought there were none and it seems i'm right - barium is like a chemical element, right? from that mendelev chart. calcium is too, sodium too. do they have cals? noup. so i guess it is the same for barium. about the digestion problems - i have no ideea, but i've read that you should try and elimitate that from your system as quickly as you can - and drinking water is the solution - so after having that horrible tasting drink (i read that about the taste) just drink a lot and let's hope you'll do okay. if u don't have anything other than that planned for tomorrow morning go home after the xray drink as much water as you can and go to sleep for a couple of hours - that helps everytime. hope my post helped a bit. hugs

I doubt there would be many, if any, calories in the Barium Sulphate drink. And no I highly doubt you would have any adverse side effects from the Barium Sulphate drink. If you do these are some possible ones taken from http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/DVH/Uses/0,3915,7859%7CBarium%2BSulfate% 2BOral,00.html:

 Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
•bloating
•constipation (severe or continuing)
•cramping (severe)
•nausea or vomiting
•stomach or lower abdominal pain
•tightness in chest or troubled breathing
•wheezing

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•constipation
•cramping
•diarrhea

 Don't worry, I'm sure you will be just fine : ) Best of luck with the CT Scans!