CT Scans

Nenen

I've had 3 MRI scans and vividly remember how terrified I was for the first one. Although I didn't actually look forward to the last two I can honestly say I didn't panic or feel anything like as bad as when contemplating the first one. It is always fear of the unknown that makes it worse!

Like you, I am claustrophobic but was slightly relieved that both of the MRI scanners (2 different hospitals) I've been in are like tunnels with both ends open, which certainly helps. When having a head scan my head was held still in a soft padded clamping device but the staff were brilliant and made sure I was comfortable both beforehand and at regular intervals throughout. My husband was allowed to stay in the room with me and he helped by gently stroking my lower legs throughout (they stick out of the machine) to reassure me he was still there.

It makes a tremendous noise banging and clanking when it is scanning. The thing I didn't realise beforehand was they don't just do one continuous scan for 20 minutes (or whatever) in fact they do short bursts of scanning and check you are OK in between by asking you through the headphones or loudspeaker system. They can hear your replies too as I assume there is a microphone inside picking up anyhting you say... so they know immediately if you are having difficulties and will stop and get you out very quickly if needs be. In my case they would start by telling me something along the lines of, "Everything alright Nenen? You're doing well... Ok keep very still, this ones going to be about 45 seconds." This would be followed by 45 seconds of machine banging and clanking as the magnets turn. They would then repeat the message above and tell me how long the next one would last. In my case the longest time was 3 half minutes. I found the best way for me to manage was to count the seconds for each one sliently in my head while trying to breathe deeply and feel reassured by my dh's touch on my legs.

At the end of the first one when I was released and went to stand up I felt very wobbly (I had been overbreathing)! They were so kind and sat me down breathing into a paper bag! Despite this, the next two were far, far less frightening... to the point where if it was necessary for me to have another I wouldn't worry at all.... I'd much rather have an MRI scan than go to the dentist for example!

I know it is very easy for me to say but please try not to worry, I'm sure it really won't be anywhere near as bad as you think it will. Good luck... we'll all be thinking of you... let us know how you get on. :beer:

Errata

Good luck with the scans. If you explain to the radiologists when you're called that the procedure is giving you the heebie jeebies they'll do everything they can to set your mind at rest and settle you. They're very experienced at dealing with very apprehensive patients, and they'll want you to be as relaxed as possible so they can get the best pix. Tell them about the hearers, they're quite used to patients with them and understand the best way they can make themselves heard by the patient.

Need_More_Money_2

Barcode wrote: »

I assumed it would take about an hour as I'm having three parts scanned, and they said twenty minutes per scan. Basically, with the MRI, everything is being scanned. Then hopefully, all will be clear, and certain parts will only need to be scanned on a less regular basis.

I don't work in CT, but do work in a similar area. I only know a little about CT so I'm guessing here, but I suspect the 20mins per scan would include all the set up and positioning time. It might be that you just get set up once and then scanned from thorax right through to pelvis, in which case it wouldn't be anywhere near 3 x 20 mins. However, there might some contrast injection and/or to swallow which could lengthen the procedure.

Barcode

Yes, I've been told I have to drink something an hour beforehand as it makes things show up more clearly.

That's reassuring Nenen. Good idea about your husband reassuring you. I might ask my partner to do the same. There is some completely irrational fear of being trapped and left inside the scanner. Obviously silly, but that is why it is called irrational.

How long did it take all of you to get results? I'm going abroad for a week after my scan. My endocrinologist said he would call me if anything important (read: tumours) show up, otherwise, I'll just go back for a regular appointment to determine how often the scans should be from then on.

Savvy_Sue

Need_More_Money wrote: »

Depending on the machine, the resolution might not be as good at oblique angles, so they might want to get your head in a particular orientation to ensure they get the best resolution images.

True, but in that case they would surely not rely on giving instructions verbally, but would re-position your head manually. Even if you could hear properly ...

Barcode wrote: »

How long did it take all of you to get results? I'm going abroad for a week after my scan. My endocrinologist said he would call me if anything important (read: tumours) show up, otherwise, I'll just go back for a regular appointment to determine how often the scans should be from then on.

Oh, months ... but I only let it go on for months because of all the "what they're looking for is rare, slow-growing and benign, so you don't need to worry" conversations I'd had with medical professionals. And after the scan I had post-op, my GP agreed that if there WAS anything wrong they SHOULD have been in touch promptly.

Clearly in your position I'd be in touch at frequent and regular intervals demanding to know what the results were!

I think I've told that story before, but I now have an agreement that they will WRITE to me with the results of my scans rather than send me an appointment months afterwards. That way I get the results rather faster ...

Barcode

The endo said he would write to me. The follow up is in October, so it does seem to be moving quickly irrespective of the results. Strangely, I go between wanting to know and not wanting to know. When I first found out about this condition, I thought my mother was insane for refusing clinical investigations (despite being highly symptomatic), but now I can sort of understand the not-wanting-to-know mentality.

They need to rule out a paraganglioma in my inner ear as the cause of my sensori-neural deafness. Nobody ever considered it before as it's so rare, but when the gene was discovered, I'm suddenly bombarded with tests. I am not sure what could be done even if positive. Any operation is risky because of the nerves, and if it's benign (which I'd assume something I have had for 16 years must be), then I'd rather wait and see rather than risk losing what residual hearing I have. Hopefully, the deafness will be unrelated.

alison6692

Hiya

A CT scan is like a polo ( this is how we describe it to our paediatric patients ) Nothing like an MRI. Its worth calling the hospital before hand and letting them know that you are anxious as the time slots are very tight and they may get you to come in earlier so someone can help answer Q's.

PICTURE

HTH

Alison x

PS - Just read some of the other replies and they are much more use than mine - which is rather simplistic! Sorry.
In very anxious chldren having scan we use a light sedation like diazepam or midazolam - You could enquire about that too.

Barcode

Well, all that worrying, and it was nowhere near as bad as I'd feared! The MRI was open on both ends, and I was only half in it. I could see out quite clearly. Although I'm profoundly deaf, even I heard some of the noises through the headphones (!?). It must sound like an aeroplane landing to a normal person. My partner stayed with me, and I could see her clearly whilst in the machine. Took about twenty minutes. Not the most pleasant ordeal, but at least I know I can do it without panicking too much now.

Now I know I'll be fine with the CT scan. Thanks all.

Nenen

Barcode wrote: »

Well, all that worrying, and it was nowhere near as bad as I'd feared!

... can't help saying the dreaded phrase.... I told you so!

Seriously... I'm really glad it all went well and thank you for letting us know that. I now hope the results will bring good news too. :beer:

beechescomposter

Barcode wrote: »

Well, all that worrying, and it was nowhere near as bad as I'd feared! The MRI was open on both ends, and I was only half in it. I could see out quite clearly. Although I'm profoundly deaf, even I heard some of the noises through the headphones (!?). It must sound like an aeroplane landing to a normal person. My partner stayed with me, and I could see her clearly whilst in the machine. Took about twenty minutes. Not the most pleasant ordeal, but at least I know I can do it without panicking too much now.

Now I know I'll be fine with the CT scan. Thanks all.

Hi Barcode,
If you coped with the MRI you will have no trouble with the CT.
Once you are all lined up and ready to go the actual scan on a modern spiral scanner only takes a couple of seconds for the whole body.
They will usually inject you with contrast just before the scan which can give a mild sensation of having pee'd oneself!