Can someone tell me what’s involved in getting a bone scan? I know that it seems to be routine early on in treatment at some hospitals, but I never had one at any point. I finished treatment (lumpectomy, chemo and radiotherapy) in late January '08… and so far, so good…
I’ve been having a nagging ache in my lower back / bum area and down the back of my left leg for about 4 months or so. It feels muscular to me, so I’d been having private physio treatment. When my bcn found out, she said I should have contacted her and is arranging for a bone scan, possibly next week. I hadn’t been particularly worried about the ache, but of course, now I am!!
I REALLY don’t want to start worrying that every little ache and pain I now get in life might be related to bc, as I’m trying desperately to put it all behind me… ho hum… I guess I have to to do what I’m told and that it’s better safe than sorry.
Hi Ali,
I had a routine bone scan straight after dx. It was a very small nuclear jab in the arm (the tiniest I have ever had)and then I had to drink a lot and walk around for quite some hours. So take someone with you to keep you company. Then you lie on the table. They loosely velcrod my arms to my side so they didn’t move and then the scanner goes along and then comes to the top over your head and moves really slowly down your body. It is like a table top going over you and it is very close to your head so I would say shut your eyes for that bit. It is completely open so not in a tube and no sides to it. They can’t tell you anything on the day. You have to keep away from young children and pregnant ladies for 24 hours after it as you are radioactive.
Wishing you lots of luck and at least you will know for sure.
Lily x
Hi AliS, I have had many bone scans over the past 10 years and I have to tell you there is nothing to worry about. First they give you an injection that has a contrast in it so your bones will show up on the scan. Then you go away or you can wait there for about an hour or so and they tell you to drink tea or coffee or juice while you are waiting. When you go back you lie on the bed of the scanner and you have to keep very still. The conveyor belt moves forward and when they start the scan you will move backwards out of the machine as the scan takes more pictures. It is totally painless. I am a bit clostrophobic so when I start the scan I keep my eyes shut…coz if you open your eyes you are very close to the roof of the scanner. However after a few minutes your head will be out of scanner as you will be moved backwards and the scans will continue on the rest of your body. The whole thing I guess must take about 20/30 minutes. When done they ask you to wait a few minutes in waiting room until they look at the scans and then you are free to go. If you need to know more just ask? Hope this helps. But honestly it is not a bad scan to have. LOve Val (Scottishlass)
How long until you got the results? I know it’ll vary from one hospital to the next! I waited 3.5 weeks to get the results from my mammogram last year and only got told it was OK when I asked during a routine appointment with the oncologist… do they not know how anxious a time the waiting is?
I think I got the results quite quickly. But if you have not heard back from the hospital you can always phone your breast care nurse to ask if the results are back yet. Do not be afraid to chase things up if you do not hear. But I think they will need about a week at least. let us know how you get on and also when you have results. That is what we are here for. Love Val XX
Hi,when I had a bone scan on 13th july,was told I would get result at my next oncologist appt which was 3rd Sept. This seemed a long wait but it came through the post 2 weeks later,when I saw the hospital envelope I thought it must be bad news but quite the reverse. I wonder if anyone youve seen in the past has told you that chemo can trigger off arthritis,my onc.doc.said hed be amazed if I wasnt full of aches & pains,maybe thats partly down to the Femara as well,I said to him "is femara ageing me?"his reply was “no,
Chemo,radio & an operation are making you age,it could be 9 months before you feel your old self”. Also when I think back,my mum was full of athritis at my age(57)so its no surprise really,its just that it `s simpler to blame everything on B.C.,take cod liver oil, glucosamine,keep warm and if you overdo it,take it easy the next day.
Good luck with your scan, Mags x
I had the bone scan today… not as bad as I was expecting… in fact the actual scan was absolutely fine (except of course I had an itchy nose and couldn’t scratch it!). The worst bit was playing “Hunt the Vein” when they wanted to inject the radioactive stuff… the first nurse had no luck, despite several stabs! Then the other nurse finally got one at my wrist… ho hum! My bcn said she’d chase up the results, hopefully in a couple of days. I’m confident that it’s a muscular problem and can’t afford to worry about every single natural ache!!
Hi Ali, I am glad you have had your bonescan done and that you didn’t find it difficult, apart from the nurses problem with your veins that is. Poor you. But glad you posted to let everyone know that the bonescan was really ok and that we were not just leading you on or trying to pull the wool over your eyes. You will now be able to reassure someone else if you hear that they are going for a bonescan. Hope you don’t have to wait too long for your results and that they are good ones. Let us know either way. Keep well, love Val (Scottishlass)