Having Bone Scan Tomorrow-Help

tomatojuice

I am a bit clostrophobic. Even got a bit clostrophobic during rads. Can anyone tell me what a bone scan machine looks like, and how it works? I am really concerned about tomorrow.

EGAL

I've had several bone scans and I just was lying on a bed (table) and the machine just moved above me.  It is not like an MRI or CT scan.  It took about 20 minutes but I just closed my eyes and relaxed.  I was not enclosed in anything.  You'll do fine. 

pk0199

TJ,

I haven't started my rads yet so l can't compare a bone scan machine to a rad machine. As long as bone scan units have not changed too much in the last 10 yrs , this is what l know. (l am an xray tech not a nuc med tech so my info could be a little out of date, but this is what l saw when l had my sentinal node biopsy)

A bone scan machine , is like a huge solid magnifying glass. Did you have a sentinal node biopsy, the unit is the same. You will be injected with a radioisotope and will have to return a couple of hours later. You will lay on a table and they will place the imaging camera above and sometimes beside you depending on what they see or don't see. The camera will not touch you but it comes close. I don't think it is a claustrophobic as a CT scanner. The imaging scanner will then just pick up the radioisotope and transmit it to a picture of your body. My advice, make sure you are comfortable, if not say something as you cannot move unless they say you can. Also ask for a blanket, l have yet to be in a nuc med room where it is even semi warm. (the equipment really doesn't like to be warm)

I am having my CT simulation tomorrow morning and l too am a bit clostrophobic. Holding really still won't be an issue, l can do that. I plan on trying to go to my happy place during the scan. Sun , sand , ocean, fruity drink and maybe a little George Clooney or Brad Pitt, hopefully l will be good to go.

Hopefully this has helped. Please feel free to join me in my happy place tomorrow during your scan for support. Please bring your own fantasy man!

Best of luck.

tomatojuice

Thank you so much  EGAL -made me feel so more ready. Oh my God pko199 made me laugh so much, and really good advice. I will definately join you in your happy place. And my fantasy guy-every time I think of him I laugh. It just amazes me sometimes that I still have one.I'm 59, but for some reason I thought after menopause it would be all over. Its such a pleasant surprise to still find some men so attractive.I 'll be thinking of the mountains and the night sky, and him.

wetcoast

Hi tomatoejuice,

 I am to have a bone scan done as well. I have yet to receive an appointment date and am unsure if it will be before the  new year so if you wouldn't mind keeping me posted on how it is done. I am also curious if  you know if it shows bone density as well. I am not claustophobic but have been having trouble with hives for the last 3 mos so hopefully I won't have to many itches that day.

SoCalLisa

It is really no big deal..I have had three of them...the coolest thing is to see your own skeleton on the screen..

pk0199

Wetcoat, bone scan won't show you bone density, that is a Bone Mineral Density test. You lay on the table and you get a low dose xray of your lower spine, hip and sometimes forearm. Your results are then compared with in the  World Health Organization (or something like that) .

TJ, why would you think that just because you have gone through menopause that you wouldn't have a fantasy man? Maybe after menopause you have earned the right to have two!!

See you tomorrow lazing on the beach!!!

tomatojuice

Had the bone scan and a bone density. Bone scan went fine. The tech said my head would be under the screen for about ten minutes, but it felt more like 3 minutes. It was so easy. If I have to do it again, I wouldn't even think twice about it. pKo199 I went through meno at 5o, it was so difficult for me-hot sweats, couldn't sleep etc. Had no interest in sex at all. I just thought it would always be that way. But after a year or two, things got so much better. I think alot had to do with exercising(walking). I got a pedometer and would try for a certain amt. of steps each day. With that,I  got back to sleeping regular again, no more sweats. And started feeling my sexy self again. If you can, and you are healthy enough, I cannot stress the wonderful benefits of exercise. It just makes you feel so good.Actually even if your not that healthy, even sitting in a chair exercises can be of great emotional and physical benefit.

mawhinney

what is the diffference between a bone scan and a bone density test?