Bone scan

[Rheumagal]

Hi everyone. Hope all is well.

My Rheumatologist is sending me for a bone scan. Has anyone ever had this procedure before? I’d like to know as much as I can if possible to lessen my anxieties. Thanks ♥️

[Shalf]

Hi Rheumagal

I haven't had this but it's been suggested to me following incident with my hand/wrist.

I understand it's an expensive procedure. I'm interested to know more too and will be watching this thread for info!

Xx

[hawker955]

Hello Rheumagal. Yes annually. Nothing to worry about at all. Youjust sit still while thy run the scanner over the bones they want to scan and wit takes about 30-60 seconds. Then they may well scan another siteas well. It is a while-you wait procedure!

[Rheumagal in reply to hawker955]

Thanks hawker955. They told me about 4-5 hours in total. They inject some radioactive medicine first. Then about 2 hours for the actual scan.

Do you feel any reaction to the medicine?

[hawker955 in reply to Rheumagal]

I didn't have any injection for my scans. I just sat there, smiled politely and chatted away while they worked. So I can't help I'm afraid.

[Rheumagal in reply to hawker955]

Thanks. ☺️

[wishbone]

Can I ask why you are having a bone scan? I'm just curious.

[Rheumagal in reply to wishbone]

Hi wishbone. My Rheumatologist wants to have a more thorough scan of my bones and joints to check for any widespread inflammation and bone/joint damage.

[NeonkittyUK in reply to Rheumagal]

I had an "isotope bone scan" in 1995 which showed the "hot spots" of my arthritis on the results. I didn't have any injections of contrast dyes or anything like that so it sounds like it's a different type of scan but for exactly the same reasons - to detect RA. It took about 15 to 20 minutes whilst I laid under what I could describe as a large photocopying machine. It scanned and moved over my entire body head to toe. It was very uneventful! 😃 Things move on in the way they scan you and mine was 24 years ago. You could phone the X-ray department up and ask them more. They usually send you a leaflet about the procedure you are going to have. Please don't worry. X

[wishbone]

Thanks Rheumagal, yet more questions if you don't mind... is that with the NHS or are you going private?

[Rheumagal in reply to wishbone]

I’m in Canada. Thankfully it’s covered unlike my Ra meds

[wishbone in reply to Rheumagal]

Ah right, thanks Rheumagal.

Good luck with the scan.

[Elmo333]

I had a bone scan right st the beginning (ordered by nhs rheumatologist). It was fine. They injected some dye, sent me off to drink lots for a couple of hours and then had the scan. Just laid on a table whilst the scanner passed over the top. No tunnel so not claustrophobic like an MRI. My only problem is that I was desperate to pee the whole time due to the drinking!!! It is very sensitive and shows up inflammation clearly. Good luck!

[Rheumagal in reply to Elmo333]

Thanks so much Elmo333. Glad to know

[Matalow]

Yes I’ve had a few bone scans,nothing to worry about the scans I’ve had are called Dexa scans.

Mike

[Nanna71]

I had a bone scan years ago before I went through menopause for I don't remember what reason. It takes a long time, as I recall, involves no pain, and is really, really boring. Sort of a slow xray. At least, that's the way it is in Canada. No worries, bring a book.😊

[Shalf in reply to Nanna71]

If they send you away to 'drink lots for a few hours' - I would cure my boredom no problem. 😂

[Rheumagal]

Thanks for all the info!

[crazylady57]

Hi Rheumagal, nothing to it. I had visions of going into one of those MRI scanners, but you just lay on the bed and this arm thing just passes over you. Please don't worry.

[Moomin8]

I've had one - no problem tbh. It turned out I was not great, but not bad: middle of the road, considering my age 😉🤣 I was told to make sure I continue taking vitD3 (Fultium 800) twice a day and continue to exercise when I can. I walk to work and back so can't do more 😇

[dbestdeb]

My rheumatologist orders one every other year. Steroids cause bone loss and she is careful to check my bones and calcium levels always. She says a broken bone with RA pain is just too miserable.

[nomoreheels]

The bone scan (Bone or Skeletal Scintigraphy) did they specify what it was for? It's just some seem to be mistaking one from another. There's a bone scan which checks the whole body & is usually ordered where there's suspection of bone disease. The machine is a donut shaped scanner. An isotope (a radioactive tracer) is injected before the scan which is around 2 to 4 hours later. This takes anything from 10 minutes to an hour usually depending if one area is scanned or the whole body. The other is a DEXA scan (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) sometimes also called DXA. This usually just checks one or two areas, the hips & spine are the areas mine centre on. The machine is a table with an arm which passes over the area/s to be scanned, more open than the other. This is to check the density of your bones, gives an estimated fracture risk & is usually only 10 minutes or so. Most often ordered where there's suspected osteoporosis or if you've been on steroids longer than short term doses.

[Rheumagal in reply to nomoreheels]

They will be injecting a radioactive tracer and doing a full body bone scan. My Rheumatologist wants to see how extensive my inflammation is. I was told by the clinic to expect at least 2 hours for the actual scan.

Thanks nomoreheels for replying. I was a little nervous about the injection part, not sure what I was to expect.

I’m also going in the week before for a hida scan of my liver which is very similar but specifically to check my liver. They suspect autoimmune hepatitis but want to rule out a blockage.

[nomoreheels in reply to Rheumagal]

I thought as much. I've never heard of it being used for that, I have for infection but not inflammation, you learn something new every day! I hope it's not a drawn out procedure for you & it shows clearly the inflammation you have going on. It might be an idea to take a book or something to keep you occupied, unless someone is going with you. Do let us know how it went won't you? The HIDA scan too. You'll be glowing! 👽

[Rheumagal in reply to nomoreheels]

Thanks. Yes! I know

[ButterflySue]

Hi, I had one done last week, but I live in Spain so it may be different. You lay on your back on a bed & overhead machine about same size of the bed & about inches above just hovers from head down to feet & back again! (With the lights on!!)

It was the same procedure when I lived in the U.K. & had it done, over 20 years ago.

It really is nothing to worry about, but we’re all the same first time round!! Very informal & I was even told I needn’t have taken my shoes off!!!

Enjoy!! 🤗x

[NeonkittyUK in reply to ButterflySue]

Sounds exactly like the one I had in the UK in 1995. I was almost asleep I relaxed so much! It wasn't noisy either .. Just a few whoosh type noises every now and then as it moved.

[ButterflySue in reply to NeonkittyUK]

When I had my first one done in the U.K. (probably the same year as you!) it was only a few months after I’d had my navel pierced. I was more worried how I was going to get it back in, as it was the first time I’d removed it!....so the time went quickly!! 😳🙄🤗

[NeonkittyUK in reply to ButterflySue]

😁😱

[lKeith]

Rheumagal

Hi, As it happens I went for one of those bone scans yesterday. There are 2 ways of doing this, you either lay flat on a special bed whilst the machine scans your body, or there is a CT scanner.

I had the CT scanner (new model) the whole body was done within 10 minutes. It was like a tractor tyre, no canister to negotiate. You lay again on your back, or in my case side , and the bed takes you into the centre of the tyre, all quite speedy & easy & no pain or discomfort to the patient.

IKeith

[Dobcross1]

Hi Brushwork, I have Bradycardia too and always get the athlete question - I wish 🤣😂. It's on my records but has never bothered me or stopped me doing anything and hopefully you will be the same 🤞. I'm sure I read somewhere that there's a link between RA and Bradycardia a while ago...

[nomoreheels in reply to Dobcross1]

Just in case you want a response do you realise you've replied under the wrong post D?

[Dobcross1 in reply to nomoreheels]

Thanks NMH, I'm obviously still half asleep! 🙄

[nomoreheels in reply to Dobcross1]

No probs. 👍