I’ve got staging scans next week - an isotope bone scan on Monday and a chest/abdo/pelvis CT scan on Wednesday. I’ll get a letter tomorrow or on Saturday with more information but for now I don’t know what’s involved other than that I have an injection for the bone scan and go back 3 hours later for the scan, and for the CT scan I can’t eat for 6 hours beforehand and need to have a drink of some sort (picking up a pack about that on Monday).
Maybe ignorance is bliss, but I was planning on going on my own to these to save DH from having to sort it with his work. Will I be OK doing that or should I have someone with me?
Personally, I’ve been for bone scans on my own as well as have my OH take me but he doesn’t work so it’s no problem. Never had a problem with any side effects. You do have to drink a lot to help the dye get in your system better and therefore give a good picture, so don’t go too far from a loo!!!
I’ve never had a CT scan but think I will have one before long. Saw onc today and she is arranging it. I asked her if it involves dye and needles, she said ‘Yes, get them to cannulate you here in oncology’ - I have rubbish veins and am known for it in the department. Would rather have the cannula than drink a horrid liquid personally !! From speaking to other ladies, they’ve sometimes gone on their own so you should be ok.
I’m much earlier in the journey, but I think I’d probably want the support when the results come through more than the company while hanging around for the tests themselves, particularly if time off work is limited.
I did read a thread a few weeks ago about the flavour of drink for the CT scans and I can’t remember whether it was the orange or lemon one that was best - just that one of them was supposed to taste ok and the other one tastes disgusting! Hopefully someone will come along with practical suggestions for the scans and views on the flavours.
If you are going on your own, bring a good book that you don’t have to think too hard with (can I suggest Harry Potter?) and also some relaxing music to stick in your headphones if you really don’t want to make conversation with those around you. That might help you to get into your own zone where you’d fret less. Just a suggestion, you might be one of those who does want to chat, but for myself I know I’d rather just chill on my own.
Hi I have had both Nuclear bone scans and cT scans in the last two weeks.
I went on my own for both as there is a lot of sitting around and didnt want to bother anyone else. For the nuclear scan you get injected with the Dye into your arm and then go back about 2/3 hours later to have the scan which lasts around 45 mins to an hour. As my hospital is close by I went home. But you can go shopping or just sit in the hospital etc - you are not nuclear active or anything and can eat and drink normally it has no effect at all - driving ok.
For the cT scan again, you get the contrast injected into your arm as you are scanned but the cannula is put in my the nurse before hand and kept in whilst scaning. I have problems with my veins from Chemo and it took four goes to get it and was a bit sore. I just had to drink plain water for 45 mins before my scan (4 glasses). I drove there ok on my own and went shopping afterwards and felt ok
Hi jane.
I had my bone scan, i laid flat on my back and went in a machine. It started right over my head, almost touching my nose. The injection didn’t hurt, I went to meet a friend for coffee for a couple of hours whilst it did it’s thing:-) the scan took about half an hour.
The ct scan was really quick, it’s the drink that takes a while, am sure mine tasted aniseedy! Again, I laid on a flat bed, kind of inside a huge donut! Had an injection that made me feel like I was wetting myself and had to hold my breath a couple of times.
I went by myself for both, no point in t’husband being there, no one else is allowed in the scan room.
Hope it all makes sense:-)) it’s all very do-able.
Kerry x
Thanks - that’s great. I think I can cope with those! Might even fit some shopping in…
I’ll take my Kindle with me - might evenn put some music on it. And yes, Chocciemuffin, I definitely want DH with me for the results. His work are being great but we don’t want to push it tooo far.
I’ve had both recently and although my husband came with me for both, it was more for company than support. I don’t think you should expect it to be a painful or uncomfortable experience in any way and I didn’t find there were any after effects. During the CT scan, the radiologist explained that I might have a hot feeling between my legs, as if I’d wet myself and funnily enough that’s exactly what it felt like. In both cases the actuals scans are over in minutes but the bone scan can be a bit claustrophobic as it starts off quite close to your face. Good luck with it.
With the nuclear scan you need to flush the loo twice for around 24 after and avoid contact with babies&young children, it took three hours from injection to scan. I went by myself, took a book! Good luck! X
Ditto- went on my own: nothing unpleasant - just a bit of waiting round- so make sure you’ve got a book- or your knitting. The waiting is as nothing compared with the hanging around for chemotherapy.
I have had both scans done numerous times. You have to lie very still on your back for the bone scan. The good thing is that as the bone scan is done you move out backwards from under the machine so your head sticks out and is therefor less confined space. The whole thing took about half an hour and was painless…just glad to get me head out! If I remember correctly you need to keep away from pregnant ladies and young children for the 2/3 hours you have to wait from time of injection to returning for the scan. Check with the nurse that I have got this right! You also need to drink plenty, it can be tea, coffee, water whatever.
The CT scan is easy too. It is not like an MRI scan which is in a very confined tube. This machine is more like a doughnut shape! It can be a bit noisy ( which never bothered me) and didn’t take long to do either. I think my drink tasted mildly of aniseed??? I am sure you will be fine. The staff are always lovely so tell them if you are worried about anything. Love Val
I’ve just had both and hubby came along and was nice to have hi m around. It was as otheers said a little hanging about but got mine done together. Staff are good and seemed a little confused on what I need to do but
Drink aniseed jug of water one cup every 15mins
Get injection.
Then went for CT scan and warm sensation in abdo…
had a quick lunch
Then went back and had bone scan and just need to lie still at times with a thin monitor slowing going over your body…
if you want more info let me know good luck