First PET Scan is coming up. Please tell me what to expect.

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Kaso
Kaso Member Posts: 61
edited October 2017 in Just Diagnosed

I despise closed in spaces, and I am extremely fearful if I can not see out- even when in the back of an elevator. I have my BC diagnosis and am post a partial mastecomy and winding down radiotherapy treatments. A change to a new MO created this recommendation with concern over a lingering cough that started pre diagnosis. I have had both chest xray and lung ct scan, and the ct simulation scan (which picked up an area of inflammation in the lungs). Any tips, advice and honest truth are appreciated.

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  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited October 2017

    I can only say that while I have not had a PET, I have a phobia about elevators. Don't know why -- always have. The MRI was fine. It's open like a tube. Maybe the PET is like this? Elevator and MRI tube to me are not the same beasts.

    GOOD luck!

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited October 2017

    Kaso- during my PET scan, I could see "out" as it was more like a CT scan than a closed MRI. For my PET, the actual test took 23 mins followed by a CT with contrast which took about 2 mins. Most of the time, I was staring at the pictures of clouds and tree limbs on the ceiling.

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  • fishingal68
    fishingal68 Member Posts: 56
    edited October 2017

    Hi, Kaso,

    My PET scan was easy! First they started my IV & injected the radioactive sugar mixture. They had me sit quiet & still for an hour after. Then they had me lie down on the skinny table in the PET scan machine. The table moved me in and out. My tech gave me step-by-step directions as she did her work. The "tube" I went in was not really very long (probably 36" total) , and it reminded me of a water slide without the water. Mine only lasted 12 minutes from start to finish. Totally painless and quick!

    Hope this helps! Good luck!

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  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited October 2017

    Me too Kaso. I had an MRI once. It was enclosed and at first the techs talked to me but then stopped. I thought I would lose my mind. I started praying Hail Marys and let them have it when I got out. Never again. Had to be an open one. I'm very claustrophobic.

    Diane

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited October 2017

    Compared to an MRI, PETs are pretty peaceful scans. You are not entirely enclosed in a tube, and you should be able see out of the machine. They move your body every now and then. The real challenge is staying completely still for 20+ minutes.

    Good luck!

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  • Simbobby
    Simbobby Member Posts: 140
    edited October 2017

    Hi Kaso,

    My Pet CT scan was a piece of cake.

    After they injected the solution into the IV, they dimmed the lights and I slept for one hour.

    They woke me and positioned me for the procedure. Made me very comfortable. My scan machine was more like being passed through a big donut. Took about 20 minutes. I slept through that too.

    Now an MRI on the other hand - torture- for me


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  • AgathaNYC
    AgathaNYC Member Posts: 473
    edited October 2017

    The PET that I had was much less stressful than the breast MRI. First of all I was on my back and was on an open table that moved through the "donut" that was the scanning machine. I didn't feel too closed in at all. The worst part for me was drinking the glucose solution before hand and that wasn't so bad. I asked for it chilled, don't know if that helped or not.

    I hope yours is equally as uneventful and that the lung activity turns out just to be a regular ole cough.

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  • Kaso
    Kaso Member Posts: 61
    edited October 2017

    Thanks everyone. I ran a fever of 102 and the cough if I didn't have breast cancer would simply be resolved by my internist with an antibiotic, but with BC and with finishing radiation I was sent to the ER. No meds are being prescribed as yet. The radiologist believes the thoracic doctor who is seeing me needs to prescribe so I am awaiting an appointment today.

    I wouldn't mind falling asleep as the glucose solution is enterring in and being wheeled directly to the PET machine. I could then awaken when it is completed.

    Thanks again

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