Bone scan- what to expect

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Falconer
Falconer Member Posts: 1,192
edited September 2017 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Hi Friends,

A few weeks ago I had an MRI of my cervical spine and a few of my thoracic vertebrae showed up in the imaging and there is a lesion on T4. The radiologist suspects hemangioma but given my history of BC recommended a bone scan. I'll be having one Thursday. I'm to report to the hospital at 10:00, then go away for three hours. Then come back for the scan. That is all the info I have. Would any of you please tell me what you know about bone scans from your experience? Thanks in advance for your helpful information.

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  • Freya244117
    Freya244117 Member Posts: 603
    edited September 2017

    When you first arrive, a radioactive substance called a tracer is injected into a vein in your arm. The tracer travels through your bloodstream and into your bones. You are then sent away for a few hours, during this time you can eat and drink normally. I usually drink more than usual before and after. Before as it makes it a big easier to find a vein on me, and after the injection as I think it helps the tracer move through your body.

    Once back the scan takes about 20 - 30 mins to do. It's on a bed like in a CT scan. They sometimes take extra pics of area of concern. I have never had any after effects from the injection.

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  • Falconer
    Falconer Member Posts: 1,192
    edited September 2017
    Freya, thanks. You've been so helpful to me lately. Much much gratitude. ❤️
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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited September 2017

    I had a bone scan and it was pretty easy. The injection is IV but I didn't have any side effects from the actual tracer. You just lie there as this machine scans you. It gets pretty close to your face at one point.

    But yeah no big deal!!

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