1 hour 15 minute bone scan!! Anyone else have one that long?????

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barbe1958
barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

This is my third bone scan and I can't believe how much imaging was done. Finally went to a BIG hospital (all grown up and world reknown!). There were 3 images produed; side, face on, and from back, very cool. I've only ever seen face on before. I saw some hot spots but of course am trying to forget I saw them.

Then she said she had to do 2 more chest ones, that's where my sternum and left rib seemed to glow...hoping it was just the holiday cheer.

Then she wanted some extras of my FEET!!! I've never had that done before, but they were pretty solid black on the bottoms in the scan. I know the scan is a negative/positive thing, so what some people see as a hotspot could be either black or white, depending on how it's processed.

All in all, it was 1 hour and 20 minutes - she made me pee more in between. Has anyone ever been scanned that long? I only recall about 20-30 minutes....

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  • shadow2356
    shadow2356 Member Posts: 393
    edited November 2010

    Hello! I had one last year and I think it took about the same amount of time. I got injected, had to wait, and then I was on the table for over an hour. It was negative at that time.

    How did you know you had hot spots? When I saw mine last year it just looked like my skeleton. I remember thinking I had a lot of padding around it. LOL. It just looked black and white.

    I am having another in about a week due to hip pain. I will certainly be more attentive this time since I know a bit more now.

    Good luck to you and I hope all is well.

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  • konakat
    konakat Member Posts: 6,085
    edited August 2013

    The estimate to get my spine done is 40 minutes.  So the 40 minutes could have been taken up by doing your legs/feet?  Pee time?  They may have been taking finer/thinner images which adds a lot of time too. 

    Sorry you have this crap going on Barbe.  Lots of hugs,

    Elizabeth

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited November 2010

    That sounds about the same amount of time it will take the TSA if you had them do it this Sunday. ;-b

    That does lengthy but considering the amount of images that's about right. Don't you just love the big hospitals.

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited November 2010

    (((Barbe)))  So surprised to just see your post.  Have you been having more than fibromyalgia pain, or was this routine followup? 

    As far as the length of time, I have a feeling it's just the difference between wherever you've had tests before and big university hospital thoroughness, which is a good thing.

    And about hot spots... there was a thread here recently by someone who was absolutely convinced she saw hot spots on her scan, and it turned out whatever it was wasn't hot spots at all but something totally normal.  Praying that's the sort of thing you saw, too!     Deanna

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  • Chelee
    Chelee Member Posts: 513
    edited November 2010

    I just had a recent bone scan on a brand new machine.  I went and had my injection/tracer...went home and came back in two hours I believe it was?  I will guess that my total scan took 45 minutes.  I know for sure it wasn't 1 1/2 hrs.  They did throw in one extra view up by my cervical spine which made me nervous. So total time has to be 45 to 50 minutes if that?  But every place is different. 

    You must of had a real fancy machine because I've had 3 bone scans over the last 5 yrs and I've never been able to see the screen to check for hot spots.  (How did you manage to sneak a peek?)  lol  Or maybe your tech showed you the film afterwards?  They won't ever let me see mine till my onc has the results and reviews it.  (darn it.)  Sending positive thoughts your way. 

    Chelee 

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  • Tg5471530
    Tg5471530 Member Posts: 111
    edited November 2010

    My bone scan took about an hour also.  Chelee- I watched the scan on the computer screen right in front of me.  The tech even asked me if I could see it and pointed out what each thing was as it showed up on the screen.  He kept saying "cool isnt it?"  I was even given a disk to take home to look at.  But of course I didnt know how to read the scans. 

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  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited November 2010

    hmm..I just had one. My husband said, as I got out..That was quick! I was doing imaging in my brain with my eyes closed to help pass the time. I have no idea how long it took but I'm sure it was not an hour or even 45 minutes! I begin to think..did they do a good job?

    A big hospital? Maybe interns were working so it took longer?

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited November 2010

    I make a point of saying how fascinating it is to watch the picture appear so they don't seem to hide the terminals as much. They do say they can't comment on what is appearing.

    When she told me to try to pee more dye out, she said she had to run to the waiting room as she had TWO people waiting for their scans. Then she took another 15-20 minutes! I feel very blessed that she didn't rush after we knew we were backing up her day...

    Mt. Sinai is a training hospital, but she was the only one in the room, except when she went out and brought someone else in. I guess that's when they decided to do extra scans.

    My follow-up appointment isn't until - are you ready for this - February 3rd!! So, I will be dreading getting a call from the doctor before then, which means something did show up.

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  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited November 2010

    I've only had the regular, non-dye bone scans for osteoporosis, but my back aches have become more frequent (practically constant) lately, so I may speak to my onc when I see him in January about having the nuclear dye scan.

    I know, I shouldn't go looking for trouble, but I'm making changes in my life (house purchase) that will require years of committment, and I don't want to go into it and find out a short time later that I've jumped the shark.

    Barbe, I hope your scans are only showing problems that you already know about. Fingers crossed for "no surprises."

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited November 2010

    Thanks Nancy! And Iago, that was hilarious!!!!!

    Did you get the house Nancy????? And how can they do a bone scan without the dye? Do you mean a bone density scan is what you had?

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited November 2010

    Sheesh, that's a long wait.  I hope you don't have to wait that long AND that they find nothing alarming.

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  • flash
    flash Member Posts: 1,685
    edited November 2010

    hugs barb, maybe it won't be negative. 

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  • flash
    flash Member Posts: 1,685
    edited November 2010

    sorry, that didn't come out right.  I mean maybe the scan will be negative and it isn't mets.

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited November 2010

    I understood Flash! hehehehdhehehehehe

    Mixed feelings on that one. I am so crippled now that I WANT them to find something. So they can FIX it!!!!

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  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited November 2010

    Yes, I've only had bone density scans..no dye involved.

    So you haven't heard from your dr?  No news is good news, right? If it was something really serious, he would have called.

    (Yes, I have a signed, accepted offer on a townhouse. Contract to come this week, I hope.)

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited December 2010

    Barbe, and word yet on your scan results?  Do you have to wait for an app't. to get results? 

    Thinking of you ~ Deanna

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited December 2010

    I'm hoping I don't have to wait for scan results if something did show up. So every time the phone rings, my gut falls into my butt!

    I am off work right now with a swollen knee. The ER doc said at LEAST a week off, maybe more. they are culturing the fluid they took off my knee (55 cc's!) so I'm waiting for that call too. Most of the tests I took on Friday told me my doc would know in a week to 10 days.

    I just want that magic bullet!!!!

    Great news Nancy!!! How exciting for you. Are your brothers devastated?

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited December 2010

    Okay, how's this for a head game. I called the rheumi's office to see if my results were in. I said I hated to have to wait until February for results and she huffed and puffed and said she would pull my file. I waited and she said she'd call me. I gave her my home number as DH is home (of course!), then texted him to tell him. I told her to let me know if everything is okay and if not, could I get an earlier appointment.

    So DH texts me and says Dr office called. I called him and said what did they say. He said they told me to tell you to call them! I said, did she say everything was okay and he said no, just to call and maybe get in earlier.

    So I called their office. Busy. Second call got voicemail and they STRESS to leave only ONE message and they'll get back within 48 hours. That means Wednesday!

    I've been trying the line in case I can get through like I did the first time, but I have the feeling it's going to be a loooooong 2 days....sigh. The message I left to her gave my work number (now I have to be glued to my desk) and said to either call work or home and leave a message on the new appointment date (I "assumed" here....). Wish me luck!!

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  • coonie
    coonie Member Posts: 7,618
    edited December 2010

    OMGoodness gracious Barbe!!!!! I hope you hear ASAP. Glad you called them. Waiting that long is just torture!!

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited December 2010
    Crap, just got through to the doctors office and the nurse said it was the doctor herself who called, but now she's in with a patient! I gave my work number and now the waiting game begins again. I don't know if I want to hear news over the phone......Undecided
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  • moe0279
    moe0279 Member Posts: 200
    edited December 2010

    I go for a bone scan Monday, what should i expect?  will it tell it my BC has met. anywhere else?  Waiting is the hardest..

    Barbe...sending prayers and thoughts your way!!!!

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  • Lowrider54
    Lowrider54 Member Posts: 2,721
    edited December 2010

    My full body bone scans usually take at least 2 hours.  I hate them - having my feet tied together and all alone in this great big dark room with a machine managing its way all around me while I have to lay still in the center on what feels like a slab.  I have lots of old baseball injuries, volleyball injuries and, who would ever think this one, cheerleading injuries that I have bunches of calcifications that they always have to go back over.

    The MRI's are not much better but a little more comfortable - when they do the cervical, thorasic and lumbar spine, they always want to give me a break at some point and I just grit my teeth and tell em to keep on going!  It is almost 2 hours too.

    Barbe...hope you get results soon...the waiting is horrid - I have a week wait in January but only because this is an unusual scan - the onc wants a 'slow and very close exam and a double set of eyes on the interuptation' since the PET was conflicting, I will happily wait for this one as it may be the difference between 'mild progression' and 'less progression' and possible 'stability'. 

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited December 2010

    Moe, you will get an injection of dye. They may or may not check you right away under a machine to make sure the dye has reached your kidneys. Then you have to walk around and waste a coulple of hours drinking water to flush your system. When you go back you will lie fully clothed (if no metal) on a table that will then work it's way through a machine. Sometimes your head is out, sometimes your feet. But it is a short, open tunnel so not a dark, scary place. The test usually takes 30 minutes or so.

    The scan will show any activity new or old that your bones have had. So an old break or new arthritis will show up the same, as a glow. It has to be interpretted as to what is mets and what is just old age or an old injury. Good luck! 

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited December 2010

    Ohhhhh Barbe, this is sucky!  I hope they call soon with news that'll make you think it WILL be a Merry Christmas.

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited December 2010

    Lowrider, my biggest fear is how long it stayed on my head. In fact, I even asked if the test had started yet! They said it will move when it has all the info it needs. As this was my third time, I thought I knew the drill by now....but it makes sense that if it goes slower it'll get more info.

    Good luck in January!

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited December 2010

    Thanks Sharon, it's been killing me to know! And I had that horrid incident that looks like it was "just" gout of my knee but I had to have bed rest for a week. I have to get this all figured out so I can start making long-term plans again! hehehehehehe (ain't that sad!)

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  • coonie
    coonie Member Posts: 7,618
    edited December 2010

    Barbe???? Hear anything yet??

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited December 2010

    I'm also here, Barbe... fingers crossed and praying for only good news...

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited December 2010

    Thanks guys, I'm kinda sorry I phoned their office. I was just going to patiently wait until February. The nurse doesn't realize I'm a cancer patient and worried about mets. She must think I'm a ding-dong by now. I've been calling trying to catch the doctor in-between patients but just get the machine.

    I've been talking REALLY fast to my customers though to get off the line!

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited December 2010

    OMG I'm driving home in freezing weather with traffic down to one lane and my DH texts me to say the Dr phoned again and will call at 6. I had to stop and get dinner and milk and then make my way home but I did it!!

    Okay, no mets. I'll start with that. BUT the MRI didn't do the area on my hip that has a "hole" in it on x-ray. Both MRI's missed the hips! Doi! The doctor is sending me a req for that and for my knees to be done. I have a lot of bony growth on my feet and hips and spine. So I grow bone rather than lose it. My left foot is particularily bad (?) though I didn't notice at all as well as the base of my spine.

    Blood work showed inflamation but no red flags. "Not particularily overwhelming" were her words. Kidney function was okay on that day so I have to see what the ultrasound picked up. You see, the drugs for arthritis damage my kidneys and raise my blood pressure. But, my blood pressure goes high when I'm in pain. We have to get a balance. I'm still going to see her in February.

    She asked if I wanted physio but I said I had never had luck with it and I'd prefer massage. So I'm getting massages paid for by the government!!! WOO HOO!!! I told her that was worth the pain!

    So all in all, for now she is treating it as bad osteoarthritis. I'll take it!!!! Thanks for all the good wishes, they worked!

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