Complications from a CT scan???

Published

I dont know who else to ask. Lets start from the beginning. I went to the hospital the other day because I was having lower right abdominal pain. They sent me for a CT scan to rule out appy and gallbladder. It came back that I had a big cyst in my ovary. Nothing uncommon for me except for annoying.

Well, about an hour after leaving the hospital and getting the CT scan, I lost hearing in my left ear. Its so hard to explain. My ear did not ache, but it felt like it was completely clogged. However I could hear myself but I sounded like I was a robot. I went to my doctor on Friday to get a check up and ask her about my ear. She looked in my ear and it was all clear, no redness or liquid. I mentioned to her it happened after the CT scan. She has never heard of someone having a complication after a CT scan.

She told me to rest and if it didnt get better by Monday, I should call her back and she will call the radiologist to discuss this.

I am completely confused. My balance is WAY off. Sometimes I cannot walk straight because I am so dizzy.

I am not seeking medical advise from this, I was just curious if anyone else has heard of something like this happening after a CT scan. My doctor is confused and so am I. I cannot come up with an answer. Your feedback is appreciated.

Worst thing is that school starts tomorrow, I dont know how I am going to tolerate it with this weird ear thing.

Thanks, Sheri

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

Did you have contrast? If so I suppose you could have an allergy to the contrast, if you have symptoms consistant with an atopic reaction. Otherwise, if you didn't have a contrast allergic reaction, I think it sounds like a coincidence. Of course no-one here is attempting to diagnose, just offering ideas to talk to the doc about.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The balance problem sounds like it might be inner ear vs complication. I'd go back to the doc.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I did have contrast. They put a IV in and administered the contrast that way since I had a problem drinking the contrast last time I had a CT scan.

I just dont understand it and either does my doctor. It could be a weird coincidence. But she saw no sign of inner ear infection which is the weird thing. But thanks for the replies. I will be calling her tomorrow.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I had a CT with contrast once. A few hours later, when I was in the shower, I noticed that I was beet red from the waist down. This was before I was a nurse, so I called the ER for advice. The triage nurse said it was an allergic reaction and to get to the ER. I had 2 ER docs examine me, and they asked me if I had been laying out in the sun. Yeah, right. From the waist down?? In the end, the gave me a shot of benedryl (in the end, of course!) and sent me on my way. I've not heard of anyone losing their hearing from it though, but I'm sure stranger things have happened.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

I think it was just coincidence! It sounds like an inner ear thing!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sheri!!!!

I too had a CT scan last week (r/o enlarged lymph node vs. parotid gland mass) with contrast. Needless to say, I felt terrible the rest of the day and into the night. I am so glad you mentioned the hearing loss though....I was doing the dishes after dinner that night and all of a sudden couldn't hear out of one of my ears (I can't remember which it was). I mentioned it to my mother (who is also a nurse) and she said maybe it was a reaction to the contrast as I have a lot of other allergies. The hearing loss lasted most of the evening, but was better and completely gone by the next morning.

I also ended up with muscle cramps for about 2-3 days following the CT scan.

I'm not sure whether it was from the IV contrast or not, but I can say for sure that if I never have to do that again, I won't!!!

Jen

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi there again. Like the doctor told me, she found NOTHING wrong with my ears. No redness or fluid, no signs of a cold either.

Its just weird. I am still having balance problems and here it is Monday and I had the CT done on Thursday.

I was thinking it might have been an allergic reaction. I had a CT a few years ago and I had to drink the contrast, which was so sugary. About 10 minutes after finishing it, I told the tech that I HAD to go to the bathroom. Of course the inconsiderate jerk told me to hold it. I wanted to yell, " Well how and I supposed to hold diarrhea in, can you tell me that." Then I had to dash to the bathroom to relieve myself. They said it was a reaction to the liquid contrast.

I will keep all this in mind next time I need a CT with contrast. Not being able to hear is horrible.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion