Talk me out of thinking I have brain Mets

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited August 2020

    Most docs don't like to order a PET/CT because of there's a high incidence of artifacts that are NOT cancer.

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  • TurboKitten88
    TurboKitten88 Member Posts: 60
    edited August 2020

    interesting. I guess I’m not sure what I will be getting since the doctor put in a order for several but waiting to hear from the insurance? I didn’t realize there was so much difference of opinions on them as she acted like they will give basically the same information. I’m definitely not versed enough in that to have asked I guess more questions about it. At this point I’m just having to go all in and have faith that she will know what is best needed. And of course I hope she is doing the eight thing. I know for sure the brain mri tomorrow. But hoping to hear back on what is approved for the other through the insurance and from what I understand they should be calling me on that Monday or Tuesday! Thank you guys so much for all the input. This is all things I didn’t know or think about. 💗

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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited August 2020
    My oncologist mentioned once that PET scans aren't good for finding brain mets because the brain has too much sugar content - and PET scans look for sugar. I had one PET scan last year for a different cancer, and it picked up something that made the doctor order a biopsy. Turns out it was scar tissue forming. THAT's a month of my life I'd like back, from scan to finally getting the results. So the PET isn't perfect.
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  • TurboKitten88
    TurboKitten88 Member Posts: 60
    edited August 2020

    AliceBastable I see. Well I’m wondering if that’s why we are doing only a mri on the brain first? And the pet-ct is to be for bones and organs from what I’m understanding. But I won’t know for sure about the second scan being ordered till they finish hashing it all out with insurance. I can totally understand wanting that time back! That was all that time playing the what if’s over and over. I’m glad it turned out to be nothing but that is nerve wreaking!!!

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited August 2020

    Alice is right. The PET/CT picks up sugar. It's one reason that you have to lie completely still for 30 minutes after the nuclear contrast is infused. For example, I wanted to read but they told me even turning the pages meant muscles were working and energy burning/sugar, etc. Sorry I can't explain the exact science. I had several PET/CTs but they were just to make sure there weren't any other cancers before the first treatment, and again to make sure there was nothing left after final treatment since I didn't have pCR with chemo, and finally at my own request 3 years down the road before the port was removed.

    Good luck with your MRI

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2020

    Yes, a brain MRI is what they will use to check for brain mets. PET-CT scans usually only go to the base of the skull or up to the eye sockets

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  • TurboKitten88
    TurboKitten88 Member Posts: 60
    edited August 2020

    thank you guys. I didn’t know pet only went to base of skull. I’m guessing that’s why we are having two different scans then. Little nervous but I go in at 1130 💗

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2020

    rooting for you, turbokitten

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  • TurboKitten88
    TurboKitten88 Member Posts: 60
    edited September 2020

    updating!🦄🌈I found out my brain is clear! 💃🏻💃🏻🙌🏻but on my mammogram I have a area they “didn't like". They think it's just dense glandular tissue most likely but it is definitely different than my last mammogram. It's larger than my last one and since I'm breastfeeding less now it should be smaller not larger is what they told me. They were gonna order me a breast mri but since I'm having a pet/ct scan next week, worse case if it is cancer it will light up. I was in there over two hours. We took two sets of mammogram and two different ultrasound techs and the doctor had to come look. So feeling good about one test. So so on the other. Looking forward to getting a all clear in the last one so I can let this go. Pet/ct is on Wednesday. 💗

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2020

    Great news about the brain imaging! Fingers crossed for your PET scan xo

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited September 2020

    I am glad your brain scan came back clear. One odd time I had horrible dizziness and vertigo is when I tried a new heartburn medication. Apparently it was a very rare side effect.

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  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,710
    edited September 2020

    Clear Brain MRI, yay! 🎉

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  • NorCalS
    NorCalS Member Posts: 288
    edited September 2020

    Yay! Congrats

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  • 2019whatayear
    2019whatayear Member Posts: 767
    edited September 2020

    wonderful news!!!

    When I had a PET scan the tech said this scan goes from your eyes to your thighs :-)

    They also let me read so go figure !

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  • TurboKitten88
    TurboKitten88 Member Posts: 60
    edited September 2020

    Thanks guys 💗well. I’m still set for Wednesday. A little nervous. Like. Is it bad that I keep thinking It would be my luck the last test shows something 😅 I just really need to get this done and over with. I want to go back to focusing on other things. Like getting this dizziness fixed. I’m not on any medication at all actually 😬 so it for sure can’t be that. My friend is a physical therapist and is versed in bbpv If it even is thatand can do the manuvier that is supposed to fix/help and she is coming over Sunday. Can’t hurt right 🤷🏼♀️

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  • TurboKitten88
    TurboKitten88 Member Posts: 60
    edited September 2020

    testing done. 💗✨ should have the results by the time I go to the oncologist tomorrow at 1 🦄

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  • TurboKitten88
    TurboKitten88 Member Posts: 60
    edited September 2020

    just coming back to update that I did not have anything bad show up on the scans! 💗💗

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  • KMom57
    KMom57 Member Posts: 252
    edited September 2020

    Yaayy! I’ve been following your post. Great news for you! Go have a wonderful weekend!
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2020

    Great news, turbokitten! 👍🏼 Thanks for updating.

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  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,710
    edited September 2020

    turbokitten, congrats 🎉

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