Hi all
I have been anxious and worrying a bit about this today and wondered if anyone can let me know what actually happens.
I know I will be injected with something that takes about 3 hours to go through, but then, is it like an MRI machine (I hate enclosed spaces) or an ordinary xray?
Do you have to lay still on the machine? how long does the actual scan take?
Sorry to ask all these questions, but I know how helpful this site is. At least I will have the results tomorrow so there will be no more waiting and I just so hope everything is ok.
Hi Peacock,
Yep you are right you have an injection, go away for a couple of hours and then go back for the scan.
When I had my scan it was not enclosed all around me - I layed down on a flat surface, then the machine started at the top of my head and very slowly moved down my body. The machine is quite close to you, but it does move down your body, so once it has moved from your head you are not underneath any equipment. There was music in the background and staff were there all the way through the scan and I could call them if I needed them - I didnt need them!
You will be absolutely fine - its just the apprehension - all this is quite daunting I know.
Take care.
Hi Peacock
I went for a bone scan today, my second. It took 21minutes & 16 seconds or so i was told. You are injected at the first appointment with a radioactive dye, then you go back about 2 hours later for your scan, i was told to drink plenty of water, tea, coffee… in between as what ever doesn’t stick to your bones comes back out when you go to the loo! A bit like chemo once it’s gone round the system it’s done it’s job so you need to flush it out. You lie on a bed & are asked to keep very still while a series of pictures are taken starting at your head, the scanner is about 1-2 inches from your face to start with (i kept my eyes closed) & each image is taken for about 3 mins. After the head it moves further down to about your collarbone/ ribs, in all it took a series of about 5 images, ending up at your feet. Worst bit was it being so close to your face, but keep you eyes closed & it only lasts for 3 mins.
I don’t get my results until the 10th July when i See the onc, The radiologist that did my scan asked me if my appointment was ‘soonish’, when i said about 3 weeks she said ‘the system does work sometimes then’. To be honest i wish she hadn’t have said anything & then i wouldn’t read anything into what was being said.
I hope it goes well
take care
Louise xx
thank you Lt and Louise for your advice, it’s a bit more reassuring to know what to expect
Hi Peacock
Just take it slowly when you sit up afterwards, although the movement is very slow, it did make me feel a tad unsteady for a few seconds. Don’t feel scared, it’s completely painless.
Dawnflower
Hi Peacock
Just to say I was really worried when I went for my bone scan, it sounds a lot worse than it is. It’s just like the other girls say, a quick injection go away/home for a couple of hours drink water, tea. When you go back you lie down and the scanner, just wider than your body and about 3 feet long, no sides works it’s way down. You can move each area of your body after it has moved over it. Very much like an xray.
You shouldn’t feel enclosed at all, I am a bit clostrophobic and it didn’t bother me at all ( no sides ). Other than worrying about getting an itchy nose it was nothing to worry about.
Look after yourself and try not to worry.
Ann
xxx
Peacock
I had one of those and it was the easiest least invasive thing I have had done so far. Coupled with the fact that they do what they say they do, when they say as timing is important.
good luck
Pauline x
Hi Peacock,
Good luck tomorrow… I had mine not long ago and it really was not too bad. I had to lie on a bed and a flat “scanner” like machine slowly moved over me from head to toe. I did not feel enclosed at all and the radiographer played some lovely music in the background so I closed my eyes and relaxed (as best one can!).
My advise was to drink loads (the more the better) and I drank 2 1/2 litres of water and a cup of coffee - apparantly it gives a better picture!
The worse bit for me was waiting for results but I was lucky that I was called 3 days later. I hope you have the same luck as me
All the very best of luck and a hug
Hayley x
I have a bone scan booked for next Monday so this was very helpful. Good luck with your scan Peacock and hope you get a good result soon.
The scan was absolutely fine, in my bad French I understood everything they were saying and they were very kind so it is nothing to be scared of at all. I drank 2 litres in the 3 hours wait which was probably the worst bit as I hate plain water.
I am also pleased to say that the results are fine, no cancer in the bones thank goodness.
Hope everyone else gets such a good result. Bon courage.
Whey hey for you - delighted to hear that you got the all clear on the bones front. Let’s just hope that I am a copy cat.
Hi Peacock - Fantastic news - I’m sooooo pleased. Well done on the water - bet your pictures were fab 
Lilac blushes - got everything crossed for you, let us know how it all goes
Love Hayley x
Thanks for the good wishes. I’m tempted to say I’m sure it will be fine but that was the phrase we all used when I was off to get the lump checked out and that one came right back to bit me in the bum… I’m just concentrating on the fact that my pee will be radioactive afterwards!
Beat of luck love, from the heart. I know how nerve racking it was so will be thinking of you. Yes too on being “too” positive", I was the same at first and it just snowballed from lump to mastectomy! Scared to predict anything now
I had to keep away from my young children that night - they were really cheesed off and did not understand why mummy was waving nite nite from the garden up to their window! Flush it all away with water!
Take care
Hi Lilacbushes
Just to say that I hope all went well for you today, let us know how it went please
Good luck