topic Re: Anyone have a bone scan? in Community Chat

Anyone have a bone scan?

Irshgrl31201 — Sun, 12 Mar 2017 01:21:59 GMT

I had pneumonia a couple of months back and I started having some trouble coughing again so my dr sent me for a CT scan. Well they found 6 "spots" on my lungs so they are sending me for a bone scan which apparently "lights up" areas that may have cancer or infection. From what I have read they put a radioactive solution called a tracer into your veins and wait for the solution to be pumped through.

Just wondering if this hurts or is uncomfortable and/or if anyone has had an experience themselves with it. Just a little anxious about this.

I am not a smoker and never have been so this was a little unexpected.

Re: Anyone have a bone scan?

Annabellethecat66 — Sun, 12 Mar 2017 01:23:57 GMT

I've had several of them...not much to them. When you have arthritis you periodically get them.

Re: Anyone have a bone scan?

september — Sun, 12 Mar 2017 01:25:28 GMT

It doesn't hurt at all except for the little needle stick you feel when the radioisotope is injected. I had one for my hip area, my daughter had one for her spine, so our scans were limited in what they were looking at.

Best of luck to you!

Re: Anyone have a bone scan?

saltysails — Sun, 12 Mar 2017 01:28:01 GMT

I had a CT Scan where I had dye injected. It did not hurt at all. The only symptom I felt was the warm sensation between my legs and that went away before I left the table. In my case I was on the table and the tech then injected the dye just before being scanned.

Re: Anyone have a bone scan?

Kachina624 — Sun, 12 Mar 2017 01:41:11 GMT

Theres a bone scan to diagnose osteoporosis which is nothing. The type with the dye I had years ago and remember having to wait an hour or so for the dye to spread. I went to a near-by mall and killed some time then took my radio-active self back for the scan. No there was no pain involved.

Re: Anyone have a bone scan?

Irshgrl31201 — Sun, 12 Mar 2017 01:44:10 GMT

Thank you everyone! I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

Re: Anyone have a bone scan?

september — Sun, 12 Mar 2017 01:51:19 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
Theres a bone scan to diagnose osteoporosis which is nothing. The type with the dye I had years ago and remember having to wait an hour or so for the dye to spread. I went to a near-by mall and killed some time then took my radio-active self back for the scan. No there was no pain involved.

The common exam for osteoporosis is a bone density scan.

the OP is going to have a bone scan, performed in the nuclear medicine department of a hospital. It's quite different , but it seems like many of us have had this, as well as the other type. Neither one is uncomfortable.

The term "dye" is kind of misleading, even though it's commonly called that. It's a radioisotope that shows increased areas of uptake in bones that are fractured or compromised in some way.

Re: Anyone have a bone scan?

ShowMe — Sun, 12 Mar 2017 02:03:16 GMT

I have had this done quite a few times now. They give you the treatment for the scan with a needle which doesn't hurt at all. It takes about an hour for the to go through your system. I get the full body PET scan for my cancer. And yes, it does light up any area where there is cancer and also lets the doctor know if the cancer area is getting any smaller or larger. This type if scan does take about an hour. It doesn't hurt, but you can't move at all. That is what I don't like about it.

Re: Anyone have a bone scan?

AndiCat — Sun, 12 Mar 2017 02:11:01 GMT

@Irshgrl31201 I have never had that done but wanted to send some good wishes your way.

Re: Anyone have a bone scan?

silentgirl — Sun, 12 Mar 2017 02:17:50 GMT

Yes, a few-with and without tracers-no need to worry-it is not painful-

They will insert an IV (bit of sting) inject a tracer, you may wait awhile for the tracer to distribute or depending what your doctor has ordered, have films taken while you wait and then scanned after a certain amount of wait time- (as stated prior) they'll perform the scan, which can take a lengthy amount of time and you'll be finished-

They will most likely suggest that you drink a lot of water the following 24-48 hours to flush your system-

Best wishes for a healthy outcome-

Re: Anyone have a bone scan?

Bri36 — Sun, 12 Mar 2017 02:35:40 GMT

I've never had one. @Irshgrl31201, I hope everything will be okay!!

Re: Anyone have a bone scan?

Kachina624 — Sun, 12 Mar 2017 02:51:19 GMT

@september wrote:
@Kachina624 wrote:
Theres a bone scan to diagnose osteoporosis which is nothing. The type with the dye I had years ago and remember having to wait an hour or so for the dye to spread. I went to a near-by mall and killed some time then took my radio-active self back for the scan. No there was no pain involved.
The common exam for osteoporosis is a bone density scan.

the OP is going to have a bone scan, performed in the nuclear medicine department of a hospital. It's quite different , but it seems like many of us have had this, as well as the other type. Neither one is uncomfortable.

The term "dye" is kind of misleading, even though it's commonly called that. It's a radioisotope that shows increased areas of uptake in bones that are fractured or compromised in some way.

@september I'm quite aware of the differences. I think perhaps Annabelle has the bone density tests as they really are "nothing".

Re: Anyone have a bone scan?

SydneyH — Sun, 12 Mar 2017 02:56:24 GMT

I've had a non invasive one, it was no big deal imo.

Re: Anyone have a bone scan?

september — Sun, 12 Mar 2017 02:58:49 GMT

@Kachina624. Yes, the bone density scan really is easy, and quick too!

just wanted to reassure the OP that the bone scan is also painless, but requires more time spent while waiting for the injected material to get to your bones so they can be imaged .

Re: Anyone have a bone scan?

pattypeep — Sun, 12 Mar 2017 03:02:40 GMT

@Irshgrl31201 God bless.

Re: Anyone have a bone scan?

Noel7 — Sun, 12 Mar 2017 03:17:36 GMT

My friend @Irshgrl31201

I showed lung abnormalities and a node for a couple of routine X-rays. After time and continuing tests, it was determined they occurred during lupus flares. Knowing that, they told me it was nothing to worry about.

I just did a quick scan on Crohn's and lungs, and discovered there can also be Crohn's lung side effects. Just wanted to let you know. I was treated with steroids for the node and it went down.

I wish you didn't have to go through this worry, you are in my prayers.

Re: Anyone have a bone scan?

happycat — Sun, 12 Mar 2017 03:29:45 GMT

I have had several, it didn't hurt at all. Good luck to you, @Irshgrl31201.

Re: Anyone have a bone scan?

Irshgrl31201 — Sun, 12 Mar 2017 03:32:52 GMT

I just really wanted to thank everyone for all the good wishes. I really appreciate it. I think the only difficulty may be having to hold still for that long. I actually don't have a problem being still until they TELL me I have to be still. Hahaha! Thanks again.

Re: Anyone have a bone scan?

tansy — Sun, 12 Mar 2017 03:34:58 GMT

@Irshgrl31201 wrote:
I just really wanted to thank everyone for all the good wishes. I really appreciate it. I think the only difficulty may be having to hold still for that long. I actually don't have a problem being still until they TELL me I have to be still. Hahaha! Thanks again.

Your nose will immediately start itching😏

Good luck, @Irshgrl31201.

Re: Anyone have a bone scan?

Leeny — Sun, 12 Mar 2017 03:46:23 GMT

@Irshgrl31201 I've had the bone scan without the dye and that of course was not painful. I've had the dye scan and that is like someone mentioned you get a warm feeling all over, but it doesn't last. The laying still, I think, is the hardest. With my experiences the dye needs to be run slowly or I get a shakey and sick feeling. So they just slow up the IV for me. GOOD LUCK AND BEST WISHES TO YOU.