Pet Scan

[Bonsaigirl]

My rheumatologist has booked me in for a pet scan. Has anyone had this procedure? If so can you give me a bit of advice on what to expect.

Thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Is it a PET-CT? It is a bit like having 2 CT scans one after the other. You get an infusion of radioactive glucose beforehand while resting in a reclining chair - no effort allowed. Once the scan starts it is very quick, just a few minutes each. ANd then you are done and can go home - preferably not on the bus!

Are you on pred still? It interferes with the inflammation signal so you usually should reduce it beforehand.

[Sophiestree]

Hi, I have had two. They will first do a finger prick to check your glucose levels and then inject a radioactive glucose where you will then need to sit for approximately an hour, sometimes less. Then you will go in for the scan which takes about 20 minutes I seem to remember. It's not claustrophobic at all. Make sure you have been to the loo before you go in as it is a while. If you go dressed in things that don't have metal then that eases the process too.

[SnazzyD]

I had a small needle to give me a solution (a sugar with a radioactive bit attached to it) after which I had to lie for an hour. It’s really important that to do absolutely nothing, so read a book, go to sleep etc. Visit the loo beforehand. This is because they want the sugar to go to areas of inflammation and not the muscles demanding energy to move you about. I think I may have had to fast beforehand too because they don’t want a high blood sugar either because they want their solution to be the main available source for your inflammation to hoover up, not your breakfast to get there first. I hate scans but found this fairly quick and not panicky.

[piglette]

I think the others have explained what happens. You are very lucky to get a PET scan as they seem to be like gold dust at the moment.

[Elbowpiece]

After my PET scan l left with a radio active sticker and told to avoid pregnant women and young babies in the next few hours.

[Rugger]

My experience was similar to the others. I had to lie down for an hour after having the radioactive glucose - this was in a room on my own so as not to 'beam' radioactivity at the staff! The scan took around 25 minutes, but I recited poems in my head to pass the time! I am claustrophobic and told the staff, who were very kind and reassuring and I managed the procedure without any panic. (The CT scanner is not as enclosed as an MRI scanner.) Wear warm clothes and socks, as the machine has to be kept very cold, so the whole room is quite cool. As PMRpro says, you are not supposed to travel home on public transport, to safeguard fellow passengers from the radiation - especially anyone who is pregnant.

All the best.

[ladygigger]

Same here - I had a CT scan followed by a PET-CT scan.

The CT scan was in the general radiology area, but the PET-CT was separate (possibly because you're radioactive when you leave!) I was put in a side room and given bottles of water and an injection but as I'd explained that I have a weak bladder, I was allowed to go to the loo.

The scan itself was no problem - after I'd screamed at the nurse who did the first CT when she pulled my arms above my head because I wasn't fast enough (it was very early days of PMR) I explained my problem and the nurse in the PET-CT was absolutely lovely (still want to punch the other one though!)

I found it very relaxing and actually fell asleep!

[Omakaat]

In the CT scan part of the procedure, you might get an extra small dose injected which instantly makes you feel like you peed in your pants. You don’t, but it feels exactly like it. At least, that is how they do it in the Netherlands. Luckily the nurse warned me and reassured me.

Also, like mentioned by SnazzyD, fasting beforehand is really helpful in the diagnosis.

And drink 1 liter of water immediately when you come home, to get rid of the radioactive stuff as soon as possible.

[Sharitone]

I echo what everyone else has said. Mine took 25 minutes.

After the glucose injection I was allowed to go to the loo as much as I liked it was all in a special unit. As well as the keeping away from pregnant women and small children, I was told not to use the same loo as anyone else for 24 hours.