Low carb prep/PET scan

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christine47
christine47 Member Posts: 1,454
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

I am having a repeat PET scan this week.  The only instructions: nothing but water day of scan.  I have heard of others avoiding carbs the day before??  I certainly am hoping for a negative scan this week.  Suggestions??

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

    Whenever I have PET scans at MD Anderson, they always have me do low carbs the day before.  One of the nurses told me that your blood sugar level has to be below 200 for them to do the scan.

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  • christine47
    christine47 Member Posts: 1,454
    edited March 2011

    that makes sense, I know they checked my blood surgar before the last test (it was normal), I will go easy on the carbs tomorrow.  Anything for a negative scan this time!

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  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited March 2011

    Hi there, I had a PET/CT recently and also had to follow a no carb diet for the 2 day period before and day of the exam . I also was not allowed to eat or drinkg 4 hours before the exam. And no excercising 2 days before. I would call the center you're having the exam at. They will give you specifics. Especially if you are diabetic, you have different protocol. 

    Good luck ! hope everything goes well.

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  • mrsnjband
    mrsnjband Member Posts: 1,409
    edited March 2011

    I remember doing a CT scan one day & a PET scan the next.  I had to work both days with very little to eat either day.  I thought I would die.  Never again will I let them double team me like that. NJ

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  • lindatwo
    lindatwo Member Posts: 122
    edited April 2011

    It's kind of interesting that the requirements aren't always the same for a pet scan?  I've had two scans, and both times I had to avoid exercise, could eat ONLY eggs and meat the day before.  When I asked the reason for the strict diet, I was told that basically they inject you with some kind of sugar (glucose?), and the cancer cells will suck up the sugar and show up on the scan.  I thought that was kind of intersting, does sugar "feed" cancer?

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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited April 2011

    Linda - I believe the answer to your question "does sugar 'feed' cancer" is yes. 

    I have a PET scheduled for next Friday and I am diabetic.  My instructions are to eat breakfast early, then fast until my scan at 2:00.  There was no mention of low carb, although I will do it anyways.  I was told I could drink water during the 6 hour fasting period.

     Surely there is some official protocol for a PET..I guess I'll have to do some homework.

    Michelle

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  • SATEX12
    SATEX12 Member Posts: 38
    edited April 2011

    I have had two PET Scans and will have another in a few weeks. My instructions have been the same for all three. Low carb the day before, eat lots of protein and no eating or drinking anything after midnight until after the scan.

    Hope this helps and good luck with the PET Scan!

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