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CT scan - what can I expect?
Hi all, letter arrived this morning, scan booked for 2 weeks time. Eeek!
I have the instructions about what to expect re the injection and 'camera' etc, (I need to let them know if I am claustrophobic.....? errrr... no - how about just plain, *~+^*%^ terrified!!!)
Anyway, that side of it is not bothering me, it's got to be done. What IS bothering me and worrying me badly is what EXACTLY they are looking for and what MIGHT they see.
I know they are looking at the little nodule they have found in the remaining side of my thyroid to see if it is 'hot' or 'cold' but will they look around the area of the missing side of the thyroid? Will they be able to see if there is 'anything' else lurking around there? I have a recurring (paranoid, I know) worry that somehow these little 'paps' have already migrated around the area and into the lymphs, neck tissue, whatever....
I KNOW I am being paranoid and panicky, I know I should just go with it and see what happens but I cannot put my mind to rest and you know what the middle of the night is like.....................?
Anyhow, anyone out there who has experience of CT scan please let me know your thoughts or what happened with you.
Much appreciated again
J x
I have the instructions about what to expect re the injection and 'camera' etc, (I need to let them know if I am claustrophobic.....? errrr... no - how about just plain, *~+^*%^ terrified!!!)
Anyway, that side of it is not bothering me, it's got to be done. What IS bothering me and worrying me badly is what EXACTLY they are looking for and what MIGHT they see.
I know they are looking at the little nodule they have found in the remaining side of my thyroid to see if it is 'hot' or 'cold' but will they look around the area of the missing side of the thyroid? Will they be able to see if there is 'anything' else lurking around there? I have a recurring (paranoid, I know) worry that somehow these little 'paps' have already migrated around the area and into the lymphs, neck tissue, whatever....
I KNOW I am being paranoid and panicky, I know I should just go with it and see what happens but I cannot put my mind to rest and you know what the middle of the night is like.....................?
Anyhow, anyone out there who has experience of CT scan please let me know your thoughts or what happened with you.
Much appreciated again
J x
The top of the letter from the Hospital who have booked the scan for me says
TECHNETIUM SCAN
hmmmmm?
Why did the other doc call it a CT scan? I am very confused.
I don't think it is a CT scan at all - I have just done a search on thyroid scans and the nuclear medicine one seems the most obvious one for nodules - it involves the injecting of radioactive tracer.
Oh well - I give up - am not a happy bunny today anyway :(
J x
TECHNETIUM SCAN
hmmmmm?
Why did the other doc call it a CT scan? I am very confused.
I don't think it is a CT scan at all - I have just done a search on thyroid scans and the nuclear medicine one seems the most obvious one for nodules - it involves the injecting of radioactive tracer.
Oh well - I give up - am not a happy bunny today anyway :(
J x
I cannot recall the exact name of the scan you are talking about .. an Nuclear Uptake Scan I think ?????? No little camera with a CT scan .. it isn't a camera .. it is a whole machine ..
As I recall, the Hida Scan for gallbladder wtih nuclear tracer my 17yr old had in January had a camera and nuclear tracer as you describe. Whole different machine than a CT Scan and they told me the machine itself is used for many nuclear imaging types of tests so I wonder if that is the same machine for Gallbladder Hida is used for Nuclear Tracer Uptake Scan ?? Theo ne with the camera on it ??
C~
C~
As I recall, the Hida Scan for gallbladder wtih nuclear tracer my 17yr old had in January had a camera and nuclear tracer as you describe. Whole different machine than a CT Scan and they told me the machine itself is used for many nuclear imaging types of tests so I wonder if that is the same machine for Gallbladder Hida is used for Nuclear Tracer Uptake Scan ?? Theo ne with the camera on it ??
C~
C~
How strange - the doc definitely called it a ct scan but I see what you mean - I am confused myself!!
J
J
Is it a CT Scan or nuclear scan?
I don't think it is CT Scan ? I've had CT Scan with contrast for other issues .. they inject a dye ... not with instructions like you have been given ... I'm wondering if it is the other scan you get for hot/cold nodules?
C~
I don't think it is CT Scan ? I've had CT Scan with contrast for other issues .. they inject a dye ... not with instructions like you have been given ... I'm wondering if it is the other scan you get for hot/cold nodules?
C~
Hi there, don't know I'm afraid what the 'contrast for thyroid' means. The letter says NM (means nuclear medicine) THYROID SCAN - PERTECHNETATE.
And that they will inject radioactive tracer then wait 15 mins and then the scan will take approx 20 mins.
Also says the dosage is about the same as a routine x ray.
Not to have prolonged contact with pregnant women for 24 hours after or small children.
To drink lots of fluids as this will help flush it out of system.
LOL - will I glow???!!!
J x
And that they will inject radioactive tracer then wait 15 mins and then the scan will take approx 20 mins.
Also says the dosage is about the same as a routine x ray.
Not to have prolonged contact with pregnant women for 24 hours after or small children.
To drink lots of fluids as this will help flush it out of system.
LOL - will I glow???!!!
J x
You are not being paranoid; you are being a realist!
? .. is the CT Scan done with or without contrast for thyroid?
C~
? .. is the CT Scan done with or without contrast for thyroid?
C~
Thanks so much for that - I appreciate the info. I see what you mean about building up a picture, thats what I hoped this scan would do sothey can see the whole area.
J x
J x
I have had several CT scans for Graves Eye Disease, then for sinus problems. The first CT scan told my surgeon a lot about the state of my eyes at the time, but that same set of films told my ENT what he needed to know about my sinuses before things got messed up.
The CT scan is a set of several X-rays - cross sections, so think of it as if you laid all the pictures on top of each other, you'd almost have a 3 dimensional picture of the area being scanned. So, they probably will be able to look at other parts of your neck, I'd guess, depending on how big of an area they scan.
Having the scan is pretty uneventful - just lay there and lay still. You can close your eyes or not. There is a lot of "whirring" type noise as the thing rotates around you. No pain, and it will be over fairly quickly - none of mine ever took more than a couple of minutes. The harder part will be waiting for the doctor to get back to you about what they see. I don't think the technician will be able to read the films for you, they'll leave that to a radiologist or your doc.
I know telling you to relax is easy for me to say and harder for you to do. However, it will be easier for you to not to "borrow trouble" as my Mom always said - might as well wait for it to find you. Hopefully, they'll find nothing!
The CT scan is a set of several X-rays - cross sections, so think of it as if you laid all the pictures on top of each other, you'd almost have a 3 dimensional picture of the area being scanned. So, they probably will be able to look at other parts of your neck, I'd guess, depending on how big of an area they scan.
Having the scan is pretty uneventful - just lay there and lay still. You can close your eyes or not. There is a lot of "whirring" type noise as the thing rotates around you. No pain, and it will be over fairly quickly - none of mine ever took more than a couple of minutes. The harder part will be waiting for the doctor to get back to you about what they see. I don't think the technician will be able to read the films for you, they'll leave that to a radiologist or your doc.
I know telling you to relax is easy for me to say and harder for you to do. However, it will be easier for you to not to "borrow trouble" as my Mom always said - might as well wait for it to find you. Hopefully, they'll find nothing!
thanks for your replies, oh yes.....the middle of the night - not a place I am enjoying being!
As I said, I'm actually ok about the whole 'procedure' thing - have had a lot worse in my time. (UURGGH, like the camera that the doc put up my nose and down my throat prior to my PT to check the larynx!!) I am just going to relax and space out. It's what they are actually looking for and might see that is scaring me.
Can they see the other parts of the neck area or are they just looking at my remaining thyroid?
J x
As I said, I'm actually ok about the whole 'procedure' thing - have had a lot worse in my time. (UURGGH, like the camera that the doc put up my nose and down my throat prior to my PT to check the larynx!!) I am just going to relax and space out. It's what they are actually looking for and might see that is scaring me.
Can they see the other parts of the neck area or are they just looking at my remaining thyroid?
J x
I quite enjoyed my CT scan. It was not as bad as I thought it would be. Bit daunting at first, but really no different than lying in bed with your eyes closed!
The scary bit is of course, as moojy says is the unknown. It is hard to not think all of that, but I thought the absolute worst then when I got my results and they weren't bad I was relieved. When I had my thyroid biopsy I did the same thing and when I got told it might be cancer I said, Yep, figured that out. The docs were kind of confused, but if you kind of 'plan' for it, you are half way prepared. NOT that I hope you have any bad stuff. For ME that worked...but when I go to the dentist I have to 'stop' and think of something else. You will know what works for you. Good luck and let us know how it goes!
The scary bit is of course, as moojy says is the unknown. It is hard to not think all of that, but I thought the absolute worst then when I got my results and they weren't bad I was relieved. When I had my thyroid biopsy I did the same thing and when I got told it might be cancer I said, Yep, figured that out. The docs were kind of confused, but if you kind of 'plan' for it, you are half way prepared. NOT that I hope you have any bad stuff. For ME that worked...but when I go to the dentist I have to 'stop' and think of something else. You will know what works for you. Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Ah yes...the fear of the unknown! We have all been there and ARE there. I also know what the 'middle of the night' is like because most of the time I am awake for it.
My next scan is in 2 days, and it will tell the story for me too. However they will make me wait yet another week for the entire result. No pressure, but until then I might have to pull out the remaining hair I do have.
The scan itself is ok...but you expressed what I believe we all think about having one. The "what ifs"...and "what might". We can drive ourselves nuts...and we do. The self-inflicted fright is the worst form of torture.
When I find myself doing that I try the 'stop thought process' and try to focus on another topic far from the one at hand. Mentally tell yourself to STOP thinking about it and go elsewhere with your mind...someplace peaceful that you love. I use the beach. It was part of a relaxation technique I learned many years ago and it works. I didn't say it's always easy to do but it has helped me.
I know I can't change the outcome, so I try to deal with the reality.
Please know you are not alone. Many of us are there with you. I know I am. Here...hold my hand. We can do it together.
My next scan is in 2 days, and it will tell the story for me too. However they will make me wait yet another week for the entire result. No pressure, but until then I might have to pull out the remaining hair I do have.
The scan itself is ok...but you expressed what I believe we all think about having one. The "what ifs"...and "what might". We can drive ourselves nuts...and we do. The self-inflicted fright is the worst form of torture.
When I find myself doing that I try the 'stop thought process' and try to focus on another topic far from the one at hand. Mentally tell yourself to STOP thinking about it and go elsewhere with your mind...someplace peaceful that you love. I use the beach. It was part of a relaxation technique I learned many years ago and it works. I didn't say it's always easy to do but it has helped me.
I know I can't change the outcome, so I try to deal with the reality.
Please know you are not alone. Many of us are there with you. I know I am. Here...hold my hand. We can do it together.
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