What can I expect in a IVP?

What can I expect in a IVP (Intravenous Pyelogram) I'm having it done friday morning and I have to admit I'm a bit nervous. I have a huge fear of needles. Anyone have one?

do they hook you up to an IV? or is it a simple injection?

you will be taken to an xray room after you put on a gown.
they will give you a shot of iodine type material in your veins.
They may take pictures before the shot.
They will then take more xrays after the shot
Then you will get up after xrays are confirmed readable and get dressed and that's all there is to it.
The shot may make you feel a little warm (similar to a hot flash) This part was scary for me the first time b/c they didn't warn me but this is completely normal. That is the only thing you will feel during the whole thing other than them pushing and proding and telling you to move this way and that way for the xrays. Its a piece of cake so once you get past the needle, which is only one stick you will be just fine. Hope everything turns out fine Friday.

the doctor might

I have had it done. I am fortunate to have small veins, there for they had to use a butterfly needle and the IVP was slower going into my system. Sometimes the normal size needle will cause the skin to become flush when the medicine is entering the system. You feel hot. Talk to the doctor about your fears.. and oh I hate needles..but that didn't hurt at all.

I don't remember the IVP itself being that bad at all, but the preparation starting the day before the exam was no picnic.

Can't eat after about noon on the day before the exam. Need to take one glass of water an hour for the next several hours. Then in the early evening, take a strong laxative to "cleanse" your intestines (this is so nothing inside your digestive system will interfere with the images taken during the IVP).

The morning of the exam, only one glass of water.

One piece of advice - after the exam is over, and you are allowed to eat again, don't have a huge meal immediately. Maybe have two or three small to mid-sized snacks during the day, then a normal sized dinner. Having a huge meal after "fasting" for nearly 24 hours is rough on the body, and you will probably get indigestion if you do that.