Bone scan. is it claustrophobic?

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GG27
GG27 Member Posts: 2,128
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I have claustrophobia quite bad & have a bone scan scheduled for Monday.  I'm wondering if I should be getting ativan or something?  Or am I being silly?  I've looked at the machine & it doesn't seem too bad.  Perhaps someone who's been through it can reassure me?  Thanks, Dee

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  • changes
    changes Member Posts: 622
    edited January 2011

    Hi Dee,

    It's not bad - you lie on the table, and the machine starts at your head and moves its way down. I found it a teeny bit claustrophobic when it was at my head, just because it's only inches from your nose. It doesn't stay in one place very long, though, and I just closed my eyes and when I opened them again, it had moved further down. It found it much LESS stressful than an MRI or CT scan. Good luck with your scan - sending positive thoughts your way,

    Karen

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited January 2011

    Hi Dee. This is the machine like Karen said when it gets to your head it is kind of close but your sides are open.

    Good Luck to you.

    Sheila

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  • GG27
    GG27 Member Posts: 2,128
    edited January 2011

    That machine is much different than what I found on google.  I know I will need ativan, I get shortness of breath just looking at the picture. 

    Thanks to both of you for answering.  Cheers! Dee

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited January 2011

    Maybe it was the machine for bone density test.

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  • GG27
    GG27 Member Posts: 2,128
    edited January 2011

    You're right Sheila, that's exactly what I was looking at, I went back & looked on google again.  This is why I love coming here, everyone makes sure you know exactly what you're doing. Thanks! Dee

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited January 2011

    Dee...its not really that bad.

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  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 1,424
    edited January 2011

    Dee,

    I have to have valium before I can have a bone scan and I still feel like crying when it's over my face.  The first time I had one, it didn't linger too long over my head, but this last time the machine had a glitch and it was there awhile.  I thought I was going to freak out.  lol   You're probably safer taking an ativan.  Good luck!

    Cynthia

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  • faithfulheart
    faithfulheart Member Posts: 544
    edited January 2011

    HI Dee,

    I have been wondering the same thing myself. I had anxiety before cancer, and all the scans!

    Now it's xanax city come scan time. I had an opph in June due to my ER  statis, and started tamoxifen in sept. I have had lots of pain that comes and goes in my upper right leg sometimes  it will go down my leg or around my hip.

    I really can't totally pin point it,  I am so scared of a bone scan,  I am so not prepared for anymore bad news. I Really hope its just lack of estrogen. I don't want to live in denial either. Dee may I ask what your scan is for,  if thats to personal I apologize. It sometimes just helps to know what others are getting scans for. My onc won't scan ,only if he feels strongly enough about it.

    I just feel I am going crazy.  Praying  this pain I have had since oct, is not mets. I think I will join you in a bone scan dee!  Praying for good news for you!

    God bless

    Stephanie

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  • GG27
    GG27 Member Posts: 2,128
    edited January 2011

    Cynthia,  Yes, I think I'm going to get an script, I remember now having one of these when I was first diagnosed & although I had one ativan & my DH came in with me & held my hand, I was still very upset when it passed over my head.

    Stephanie,  I had leg pain when I was first taking T & went & had acupuncture & haven't had any leg pain for about a year now, you may want to try that, it took 3 treatments to get rid of it totally.  

    The bone scan is for the rib pain that I have had for a year now.  The onc is thinking that it's probably from rads, but because it won't lessen she wants to make sure it's nothing.  She is also running all the usual tumor marker blood tests.

    Cheers! Dee

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited January 2011

    Hi Dee, I also am claustrophobic but don't have too much drama with the bone scan.  I make sure I do a little relaxation while they set up and then I close my eyes.  If you are at all unsure, I would suggest getting something to relax you.  Hope it all goes well for you.

    Peace, strength, love n hugs.  Chrissyb

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited January 2011

    Dee, when I had the bone scan I was lying on a table that was completely open and the camera passed slowly over my body - it was a different type of machine than the one Sheila posted (guess there's a variety in them!). The tech told me when it was about to pass over my head (started at my feet). So I have 3 suggestions:

    1. take the ativan

    2. ask the tech to tell you when it's about to pass over your head so you can be mentally prepared.

    3. CLOSE YOUR EYES WHEN IT GOES OVER YOUR HEAD.

    Even if the machine is like the one in the picture that should help. If you look carefully at the picture you'll see that it's not completely enclosed like other scan machines but open at the side. It also doesn't cover you whole body at once.

    Best of luck. And don't forget suggestion #3!

    Leah

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  • Faith316
    Faith316 Member Posts: 2,431
    edited January 2011

    Curious as I have never had a bone scan.  Approximately how long is it over your head?

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited January 2011

    Not that long Faith.

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  • changes
    changes Member Posts: 622
    edited January 2011

    Dee,

    A word of warning - don't be freaked out if they "rescan" a body part. They did that for my head and ribs (and I went in with LEG pain). I was absolutely convinced it was because the radiologist had "found" something, but it was nothing.

    Karen

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  • Amy4199
    Amy4199 Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2011

    holy moly!  the first time I had a bone scan I was alone - freaked out - I tried to crawl out of the machine sideways - they had to restart whole thing - you are NOT crazy - second time - I took my prescription of clonipin, had husband hold hand hole time and still cried - made tech stand by so minute I was done she could release me - anxiety thinking about it - I would definitely go with the ativan and have some support - try to have them keep your mind busy!  GOOD LUCK!  I will say prayer!

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  • Faith316
    Faith316 Member Posts: 2,431
    edited January 2011

    Do most places let you have somebody in the room with you?

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  • GG27
    GG27 Member Posts: 2,128
    edited January 2011

    I don't know if most places let someone in with you, but the Nanaimo hospital does.  I've got a prescription for ativan which I will take an hour before hand.  If I take two, I won't care if it's on top of me, but last time I only took one & it was horrible for me.

    I would like to get a handle on my claustrophobia, does anyone have any thoughts on hypnosis or anything else?  I've had nightmares since I was a kid about being in a dark room with only a tiny window & not being able to get out.  It's just gotten worse with all these scans, esp the bone scan & the sentinal node scan.

    Thanks everyone for your support, I appreciate it.  Dee

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  • Cat123
    Cat123 Member Posts: 296
    edited January 2011

    It's not bad....just close your eyes!

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  • GG27
    GG27 Member Posts: 2,128
    edited January 2011

    Cat123, That's very easy to say if you don't have claustrophobia.

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  • dsiemens
    dsiemens Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2011

    I realize it's a little late for my reply, but I thought I'd add my two bits. I just had a bone scan done and wasn't prepared for how claustrophobic I would be. I really had trouble when the machine passed over my face. Even though my eyes were closed I couldn't stop thinking about being stuck.  The technician said he would be there for me and could move the camera higher if I needed that. I began to panic and called out "how much longer?" (which was bad because my voice echoed off the camera, giving me an indication of how close it was) and there was no response. He had left the room. At this point I contemplated rolling off the table. I thought I was going to throw up. However, I survived. It really required a lot of mental energy for me.

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  • hawksfansarah
    hawksfansarah Member Posts: 91
    edited June 2014

    I want you to know something. They can make the level higher so that it is not just an inch from your nose.  Ask them to do this.  They will still be able to get a good picture.  If it is more than six inches from your nose, the picture will come out fuzzy. So ask for something in that range, whatever you can tolerate.

    I am terribly claustrophobic, and I find bone scans horrific.  I find MRIs horrible too.

    CT scans are also bad, but out of those three scans, it's my most preferred (and I am allergic to iodine).

    Dexa scans rock! No claustrophobia at all!

    Prayers for your good health, I hope you can get through it.  Bring someone with you.  I brought my mom, took valium, and despite all that, they had to restart the scan because I freaked out. Maybe covering the eyes helps? It doesn't help me, I feel anxiety from my breath bouncing back from the close proximity of the machine.  

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  • Nan54
    Nan54 Member Posts: 93
    edited June 2014

    I am also terribly, terribly claustrophobic. Like to the point that I choose to climb 10, 15 floors in heels, rather than ride a crowded elevator! I have found that a Xanax (or Ativan, Valium, etc), plus keeping my eyes closed the entire time gets me through these tests. I find my "happy place" - which for me is a memory of running and playing with my kids, them giggling uncontrollably, on a beautiful sunny day. I focus on this memory and allow myself to feel the peace that it brings me. It might sound silly, but it works for me. If you would have shown me that machine before my cancer diagnosis, I would have sworn that I'd rather die than get in it. Funny how things change!

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