How do I prepare?
This exam is only performed at specific times at the main hospital campus and will need to be scheduled by our Central Scheduling Department.
You can pick up a prep kit and detailed instructions at the main hospital radiology department or purchase the products listed at your local pharmacy and follow the instructions listed below:
In advance to your procedure: You may pick up the prep from the ordering provider for the OTC prep. If you wish to purchase the prep you will need: Miralax (or generic equivalent) 238g or 255g bottle along with a small box of Dulcolax (or generic equivalent) tablets (both over the counter at your local pharmacy).
The day prior to your test
- You need to drink only clear liquids for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This includes juice, water, black coffee, tea, clear broth soups, jello, Italian ice, etc. No red liquids please.
- The morning before your test, mix the entire bottle of Miralax with 64 oz. of a clear liquid of your choice (Gatorade, half Gatorade-half water, poweraid), as long as it is not red. Place mixture in the refrigerator, so that it is cold later in the day when you start drinking.
- At about 5pm take 2 Dulcolax tablets with clear liquids.
- Wait 30 minutes after taking these tablets, then start drinking the Miralax mixture. Ideally, you should drink an 8oz glass every 15-20 minutes until you have completely finished the mixture. If you become bloated or nauseous, you may take a break for a half an hour and resume drinking at a slower pace. Please make sure that you drink the whole bottle or enough to make your bowel movements close to a clear liquid.
- When you are finished drinking the Miralax, wait one hour and take 2 additional Dulcolax tablets.
- It may take a few hours before you start having bowel movements.
- Please do not eat or drink anything after midnight the evening prior to the test.
The day of your test
- You may take your prescription medications with sips of water the morning of the procedure.
- Please do not eat or drink anything.
- Metformin (Glucophage) will need to be held for 48 hours after the test. Please contact your doctor for further instructions if you take this medication.
If you have any questions prior to your test you may call the Southern Ohio Medical Center Radiology Department at 740-356-8117.
What will the exam be like?
You will be instructed to change into a gown. This is to remove all metal from the area of interest. This also will protect your clothes from getting stained. The technologist will greet you and ask a few questions about your identity and the reason you are being tested. If you are allergic to iodine, please let your technologist know at this time. The technologist will have you lie on your back on the x-ray table. They will take 1-2 initial images over your kidneys and bladder. Next, the technologist will start an IV and inject iodinated contrast into the veins. You may get a warm, flushed feeling or a funny taste in your mouth, but that goes away within minutes. The technologist will take timed images to watch the flow of contrast from your kidneys into your bladder. Once the contrast fills your bladder, you will be asked to go to the bathroom to empty your bladder. Next the technologist will take one more image to show that your kidneys and bladder have emptied. This test, routinely, takes about 40 minutes but may continue as long as a couple of hours. Once your exams are read by our radiologists, it usually takes two to three business days for your doctor to get a copy of your report.
What do I do after the exam?
Unless you are on a fluid restricted diet, drink at least 6-8 glasses of water a day for the next two days. Watch around your IV site for redness or swelling. Keep it covered until you get home. Also watch for allergy type symptoms. Should they occur, please contact your doctor or call us at 356-8117.If you take some form of metformin for diabetes, please do not take it for the next two days and call your doctor before you start taking it again.
How do I prepare?
This exam is performed at specific times and will need to be scheduled with a radiologist by our Central Scheduling Department or our nursing staff.
What will the exam be like?
You will be instructed to change into a gown. This is to remove all metal from the area of interest. This also will protect your clothes from getting stained. The technologist will greet you and ask a few questions about your identity and the reason you are being tested. If you are allergic to iodine, please let your technologist know at this time. The technologist will have you lie on your back on the x-ray table. A nurse will come in and insert a urinary catheter through the urethra and into your bladder so that your bladder can be filled with iodinated contrast (x-ray dye). As the bladder is filling with the contrast, the technologist will be taking x-ray images with you in various positions and at various time intervals. The catheter is then removed and additional images are taken while you urinate. Once the bladder is emptied, the technologist will take one final image. This test takes about 1 hour to complete. Once your exams are read by our radiologists, it usually takes two to three business days for your doctor to get a copy of your report.
What do I do after the exam?
Unless you are on a fluid restricted diet, drink at least 6-8 glasses of water a day for the next two days. You may return to routine daily activities. Any questions or concern please contact your doctor or call the x-ray department at 356-8117.
