CT colonoscopy aftercare
This page gives you information about what to expect following your CT colonoscopy.
On this page
After your CT colonoscopy
Please return to your normal eating and drinking patterns. We recommend that you drink plenty of fluids for the following 2 to 3 days.
Due to the pre-scan preparation, you may continue to have loose stools for 1 to 2 days after your scan. This is normal.
The doctor who asked us to perform the test will be sent the results and will contact you to arrange a follow-up appointment.
Medications
During the CT colonoscopy you may have been given any of the following:
- Carbon dioxide
- Buscopan
- X-ray contrast (dye)
Carbon dioxide
The carbon dioxide used to inflate your bowel will be absorbed into your body quite quickly following the procedure.
However, you may have some minor abdominal discomfort for
1 to 2 hours. Returning to your normal diet and moving around will help to ease any remaining discomfort.
Please contact your GP urgently if you experience any of the following symptoms over the next 4 days:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Increasingly painful abdominal discomfort
- Sweating and nausea (feeling sick)
- Feeling generally unwell
Buscopan
This is used to relax the muscles in the bowel wall. Side effects are rare, a fast heart rate and/or blurred vision can happen after the injection but should only last for about 30 minutes.
Do not drive until your vision has returned to normal.
In rare cases, this injection can cause an eye problem called ‘acute angle closure glaucoma’.
Please contact your GP urgently if you develop any of the following symptoms within 48 hours of this test:
- Hazy or blurred vision
- The appearance of rainbow-coloured circles around bright lights
- Red eye appearance and/or severe eye and head pain
- Sickness or vomiting (accompanying severe eye pain)
- Sudden sight loss
X-ray contrast
X-ray contrast or ‘dye’ is used to highlight the organs within the body making it easier to interpret the images. In a few cases an allergy to the contrast may present up to 2 days after the injection. If you have any of the following symptoms, please contact your GP:
- Itchy, raised rash on the skin around the site of injection or all over the body
- Sickness or vomiting up to 24 hours after the injection
Contact information
If you have any problems or questions, please call the number below:
Radiology Nurses
Tel: 0300 422 6245
Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm
Alternatively, you can you contact your GP or NHS 111 for advice.
NHS 111
Tel: 111
If you become unwell and need to see a doctor, please take the below leaflet with you for information.