Nuclear Medicine Tests?

[James53]

Hi

Have been seeing Haematology over past 4 months after being referred by my Rheumy with high haemoglobin and PCV.

Haematology now referring me for further tests at Dept for Nuclear Medicine. Advised blood out, isotopes added then blood back in followed by several bloods out!

So here is the question-

How long does this all take?

What should I expect?

Ok to drive there and home?

Cheers folks

[Ebot]

Hi James

It takes a few hours and involves quite a lot of needle activity! I had mine done up at Guy’s and as I recall went off for a walk to The Tate and also got some lunch while they dealt with my blood before reinjecting. I was told a couple of hours but they called me ahead of time to return to the department. So, depending on where you are going be prepared to amuse yourself for a good few hours and take some sustenance. The second part of the treatment involves drawing blood at intervals - another hour or so of activity. You’ll be jabbed in both arms - they take from one and reinject / draw from the other (or something like that). I recall being exhausted rather than anything else. It’s a bit of a wearing process. And it depends how well you tolerate needles. (The second part was all done via a canula.) One word of caution - alert them to the fact that you are a bleeder (if you are). They may not be that familiar with dealing with MPN patients. I made a bit of a mess of the department (!). Good luck.

[James53 in reply to Ebot]

Hi

Many thanks for your words of wisdom and caution!

Don’t mind needles too much as long as they find a vein. Hate it when they faff about though.

Cheers

[Ebot in reply to James53]

Yeah...... 😬. Had a really interesting guy do the procedure. But probably not the most experienced phlebotomist. And they have to use both arms. Was sore after.

Be prepared to advise(!). Drink loads in advance and arrive nice and warm! Had to call in a nurse when at the end I discovered I’d bled all down the corridor and in to the loos. 🤦🏻‍♀️ . Lack of decent compression and being told to sit still as per venesection.

[James53 in reply to Ebot]

Oh dear, sounds like you had a bit of a time of it.

Will take a box of tissues🙈

[Ebot in reply to James53]

And floor mop? 😂

[James53 in reply to Ebot]

Steam cleaner

[Ebot in reply to James53]

No doubt some hospitals (and patients) would be grateful. 😆 Hope it goes well.

[Aime]

Hi James, I stayed in the same room and the process lasted approximately 1.5 hours. I had 3 needles in total: blood drawn before, Injection to put blood and “glowing” material in and then a further drawing of blood.

I was not allowed to walk about, had to stay sitting for the whole time so there must be different methods. I was tired but have a 3 hour round trip to get there and back but felt ok otherwise. Yeah arms a bit bruised but I’m so used to needles, as they are frequent due to my PV and also cortisone jabs for my arthritis .

I’m sure you will be fine. Just make sure you’re well hydrated and that you have eaten before and after and be prepared to have a rest afterwards.

Kind regards

Aime xx😺😺

[James53 in reply to Aime]

Cheers Aime and thanks