Testing / Scan Before chemo ?all these ?

shasha_shasha

• Hello guys

I am newly diagnosed and been sending for so many testing before chemotherapy, I am wondering if you guys are the same boat as me, have you guys done from MRI scan, CT abdominal pelvis scan, Nuclear Medicine Body scan and PET scan? Also before chemotherapy did they told you for blood works? What blood work is all about ?

Thank you very much

2019whatayear

I had a CT chest/abdomen/pelvis and a bone scan- whole body. The bone scan showed a small spot so then I had an MRI of my pelvis and the spot was a boney island ( nothing bad) . Then I had my period the same time as the CT which made fluid show in my uterus so then I had a transvaginal US. No pet scan .

Bloodwork I don’t recall any specific prior to the start of chemo

shasha_shasha

Thank you, they send me some many stuffs ,I am very worried.something could turn back bad, I been having back pain. I just scared..I done MRI, CT and nuclear medicine scan this week and next week I m going to have Pet scan.😣

Spookiesmom

Yes, my first time around I felt like putting up a tent on the hospital property and just stay there, was soooooo many tests. 2nd time around, not nearly as many.

shasha_shasha

Did you have like a scan happened in a week like MRI ,next day CT scan and another scan with some injections and fluids taking? Any side effects? I felt like I have extremely back pain.

MinusTwo

Yes all those scans before chemo. And an Echo because I was HER2+ ANd many of these again after chemo & before surgery.

Sharifa - when you get a chance, if you go to My Profile and enter your diagnosis and update with treatment as you go along, it will help everyone answer your questions.

shasha_shasha

Yeah so far I didn't receive any much details, as per now doctor just mentioned to me I have 6 cm tumor which was huge and Invasive grade 3 with her2+, now they keep on sending me for testing before chemotherapy. this week my schedule super packed with my testing, I got so much pain here and there they put me some contrast ,injection and I have to drink someting, so extremely tired ,next week I have Pet scan.so much things😣

2019whatayear

oh yes I had an echo too forgot about that - that one hurt ! B/c it was so soon after my BMX. Drinking the chalky stuff was so gross.

Yes all the tests were close together I had the echo and the CT one day then within a few days the bone scan and then the MRI . No side effects just major anxiety waiting for the reaulrs

Anonymous

Yes, many tests before chemo. It's important for the oncologist to have those results before treatment is planned and treatment actually begins. We can understand your fear; it's normal. Your life is being threatened by something you can't fight right now, and it causes fear and anxiety. Once you find out more, you'll feel more confident. In the meantime, these discussion boards are a good place to let out emotion and ask questions; it helps relieve fear. We are here for you because we have all been where you are now.

Claire in AZ

Anonymous

Sharifah, your back pain is probably unrelated to your dx. Even if we don't feel that we are tensing muscles, we are, because we are under such tremendous stress, and everything (pain, etc.) takes on new meaning; we are hyper-aware of every little ache or pain when our lives are being threatened. If you can do some gentle back stretches and meditative breathing regularly, your pain may lessen. The next time you see your oncologist, please tell them about your back pain; in the meantime, see if taking Advil or an NSAID will relieve it.

Again, we are here for you-

Claire in AZ

Newfromny

Sharifah, My diagnosis was similar to yours , a large tumor, after 6 infusions TCHP, the tumor had shrunk. Still had a double mastectomy because I had clinical IBC, pathology showed PCR. I did have all those tests before chemo, they are nerve racking but necessary.

shasha_shasha

Yeah my anxiety as well I felt all the test are next to each others, like this week from Monday to Yesterday except today Friday I managed to have a bit rest 😭 during all scan they injected for dye contracts , nucklear medicine injection and I had to drink the 2 fluids before all the scans started..add on last week I already had 2 MRI scan with contrast injection..I felt my back pain extremely painful yesterday till today like I can't even move any places ,I can't even carry my baby 😭 I called the office they said to take Tylenol. I will have chemotherapy supposed this coming Thursday and PET scan this Monday . I hope my body can be recovered before chemotherapy.

Anonymous

If you don't have any physical reason not to take an NSAID, I'd take that instead. It's an anti-inflammatory (Tylenol isn't) and may relieve your pain more effectively. All medical people offer the blanket answer "take Tylenol" because they don't know who is on a type of med (like blood thinners) that would preclude taking an NSAID. Have you tried a warm bath or shower, or heating pad, to try to relieve your back pain a little?

Again, the next time you see your oncologist, share that you've been having bad back pain. They need to know-not just the worker bees in the front offices.

Claire in AZ

shasha_shasha

Thank you, yes I could take them,I normally didn't take Tylenol , yeah you know doctor always giving standard answer to take Tylenol over any others pain reliever. Yes next time I need to highlight to oncologist about this I was feeling well before after all these test I had extremely back pain.,my body feel so compressed . I have to be in the bed all day. when I try to move it is so painful. I hope everything gets better 🙏.