Bone Scans

Public Archive
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I was diagnosed in April 2006. Had x 2 WLE followed by Radiotherapy. Everything has been fine and I have been back to work for past 12 months. 2 weeks ago when I had my 3 monthly check with ONC I mentioned that I have tender area on my back on operated side. ONC made nothing of it but sent me for chest Xray. Today came in from work and letter waiting saying something has shown up on chest XRAY. They need to look specifically at the 9th rib on my back and will need to do a bone scan. What does a bone scan entail and has anybody else had a similar experience ? I’m worried sick

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I’m very sorry to hear about your worry. I really hope it isn’t anything. I had a bone scan after my mastectomy last year and it was really ok. I had to go in a couple hours beforehand as they injected you with a nuclear substance that makes your bones more visible for the scan. Later you come back and lie out and a machine scans over your body for about twenty mins I think and that’s it. Best of luck and please let us know how you are doing. x

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Thanks teacup it does help to know what to expect. Will keep you posted on how i go on

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After they inject the radioactive substance, you have to avoid being anywhere near children or pregnant women until after the scan!

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Hi Lillibet. Sorry to hear your news. I’ve also had two bone scans, injection does not hurt, but it was a little bit uncomfortable having to lie really still for an hour - but it is not painful at all. Like you, I am just waiting for results on chest x-ray. I too have pain between my shoulder blades and my GP thought there was some problem with my air intake on that side, so straight off for chest x-ray. Just phoned the surgery again, but results still not in - althought he receptionist said, that the longer the results take to come back the better! If they noticed anything sinister they would probably have reported back to the GP within a couple of days - so here is hoping! This waiting game is awful, had loads of those over the years, and every time your mind goes mad with worry. Hope your bone scan will show nothing sinister - keeping everything crossed for you. Let us know how you get on, the girls on here are very supportive and helpful.

Birgit

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Thanks for your postings. I now have date for bone scan. Next wednesday 20th Feb. Glad to hear its not painful, after what i’ve been through you would think i’d be brave, but i’m not !!!

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I was interested to see your posting as I have also got to have a bone scan on Monday 18 Feb at 9.00 am, and am also worried sick. I was also diagnosed in April 2006 (and again in April 2007!), had surgery, radiotherapy and Tamoxifen and have been complaining about a pain in my back for several weeks.

Like you I’m not so worried about the scan as the results!!

Best wishes
Lesley

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Thanks for your posting Lesley. Had my scan as planned last Wednesday. Hope yours went ok on the 18th. Have you been told when to expect results? My ONC said he would see me with the results but I have no date or anything yet. Hope its good news for us both. I too have just a tenderness really in a certain area on my back and mentioned this during my routine check up. I was sent for chest xray and then just over 2 weeks later recieved a letter saying the xray had shown up an abnormality on my 9th rib at the back and that the radioligist recommended the bone scan to get to the bottom of it. I fear the worse because i dont know what else it could be, but hope that perhaps the radiotherapy caused some damage or something. Please let me know how you go on and fingers crossed for us both.x

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Hi Lesley and Lillibet,

Hope both of you have had good results from your bone scans. I’m now waiting to be referred for a bone scan after going to my GP with two areas of tenderness, one in the ribs above my mastectomy scar and one in my back between my shoulder blades. I had one when I had my recurrence 2 and a half years ago, but can’t help worrying again about this one. It never seems to stop, does it?

Kathy