Bone scan

tgf
tgf Member Posts: 950 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I'm scheduled for a bone scan on Monday. Could you give me an idea what to expect? All I know is that I have to be there at 7:45 AM for them to inject something ... then go back at 11:00 for the actual scan. Is it like the MRI machine (that loud???) ... or more like the CAT scan machine ... or what???

thanks.

hugs.
teena
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Comments

  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    #2
    Hi Teena ♥
    I just had one done and mine was clean, so, I will pray that yours will be too. I had to go in 3 hours prior to the scan to be injected with the radioactive tracer substance. It didn't hurt, just a prick and then it was in. I was told then to drink LOTS of water to try and get as much of the tracer substance out of my urine and to come back in 3 hours for the actual bone scan. You have to remove your jewelry, and, I kept my own clothes on. They also have you go to the bathroom right before the test to empty your bladder of as much of the tracer as possible. You lay on a metal table, much like the one for rads. The machine is quiet, it isn't loud like a MRI. However, it is very close to you and it moves slow. Mine started at my head and moved down slowwwwwwwwwwwly. lol It took about an hour. There is NO radiation involved in this, so, that is good! Any other questions, just ask me. Good luck Teena! I will be thinking of you!

    p.s. I got a CD copy of mine and it is really cool to look at the inside of your body. You shoud get one if you can. It is also good to just have it for your records.

    Love, Jeanne ♥
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #3
    Bone scan
    Hi Teena, bone scans are not bad, for me the only uncomfortable part was how close it is to your body as Jeanne stated. Now if you are lucky enough to be in a position to see the screen you will be able to see your skeleton which I have thought is pretty cool. LOL It's not bad though so please do not worry too much, the worse part is waiting the 3 hours after the injection. I will keep you in my prayers that it comes back clean.

    ♥ RE ♥
  • Sunrae
    Sunrae Member Posts: 808
    #4
    RE said:

    Bone scan
    Hi Teena, bone scans are not bad, for me the only uncomfortable part was how close it is to your body as Jeanne stated. Now if you are lucky enough to be in a position to see the screen you will be able to see your skeleton which I have thought is pretty cool. LOL It's not bad though so please do not worry too much, the worse part is waiting the 3 hours after the injection. I will keep you in my prayers that it comes back clean.

    ♥ RE ♥

    The bone scan shouldn't
    The bone scan shouldn't cause you any concern, one of the better tests I had to go thru, if you have to go thru this. Yes, the 3 hours were the worst. My hubby went with me and we were going to go somewhere for lunch, but my CT scan was done the same day. The machine starts out close to your head and moves down your body slowly. My scan only lasted about 30 minutes and once it moved away from my face, I was ok. Just shut your eyes for a few minutes while its near your face.
  • m_azingrace
    m_azingrace Member Posts: 399
    #5
    RE said:

    Bone scan
    Hi Teena, bone scans are not bad, for me the only uncomfortable part was how close it is to your body as Jeanne stated. Now if you are lucky enough to be in a position to see the screen you will be able to see your skeleton which I have thought is pretty cool. LOL It's not bad though so please do not worry too much, the worse part is waiting the 3 hours after the injection. I will keep you in my prayers that it comes back clean.

    ♥ RE ♥

    Hi Teena
    Everything the others have said is accurate. The bench I was on was very narrow, but the techician made me as comfortable as possible. It took about an hour from start to finish, and wasn't an unpleasant experience. When I dressed that morning, I made sure there was no metal in any of my clothing...not bra hooks or adjusters, no zippers, rivets or metal buttons in my jeans, and I took off all jewelry, so I was able to keep my own clothes on...so that was a huge relief to me. I hope the scan goes well for you. Hugs and prayers. Gracie.
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #6
    m_azingrace said:

    Hi Teena
    Everything the others have said is accurate. The bench I was on was very narrow, but the techician made me as comfortable as possible. It took about an hour from start to finish, and wasn't an unpleasant experience. When I dressed that morning, I made sure there was no metal in any of my clothing...not bra hooks or adjusters, no zippers, rivets or metal buttons in my jeans, and I took off all jewelry, so I was able to keep my own clothes on...so that was a huge relief to me. I hope the scan goes well for you. Hugs and prayers. Gracie.

    Finally an easy test
    It is the easiest test I have had so far. I got to wear my own clothes too. I just had to take off all of my jewelry. When it first starts, the machine is really close to your face and that kind of bothered me, so, I just closed my eyes. After I got the injection, my husband and I went and had lunch and I drank a lot of water as they had told me to. It did take close to an hour for it to be finished. They sent me the cd of it in the mail. Good luck!

    Debby
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #7
    DebbyM said:

    Finally an easy test
    It is the easiest test I have had so far. I got to wear my own clothes too. I just had to take off all of my jewelry. When it first starts, the machine is really close to your face and that kind of bothered me, so, I just closed my eyes. After I got the injection, my husband and I went and had lunch and I drank a lot of water as they had told me to. It did take close to an hour for it to be finished. They sent me the cd of it in the mail. Good luck!

    Debby

    Hey Teena
    I just pretty much ditto what everyone else said. If you google bone scan machine, it will show you what it looks like. It isn't scary or anything. It also got to me a bit when it was so very close to my face, so, I also closed my eyes. And, it does go slow, very slow. But, really a simple test compared to all of the other ones we go thru. Wishing you luck and praying for good news!

    ♠♣ Christmas Susie ♠♣
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    #8
    susie09 said:

    Hey Teena
    I just pretty much ditto what everyone else said. If you google bone scan machine, it will show you what it looks like. It isn't scary or anything. It also got to me a bit when it was so very close to my face, so, I also closed my eyes. And, it does go slow, very slow. But, really a simple test compared to all of the other ones we go thru. Wishing you luck and praying for good news!

    ♠♣ Christmas Susie ♠♣

    Bone scan
    Everyone has said exactly what I would write to you Teena. It is the easiest test, just lay there and let the machine slowly go over your body. Maybe if you have a couple of drinks while you have to wait that 3 hours or so to go back, you could take a little nap while they scan you. Just a suggestion. lol

    Hugs, Sue
  • roseann4
    roseann4 Member Posts: 992 Member
    #9
    Ritzy said:

    Bone scan
    Everyone has said exactly what I would write to you Teena. It is the easiest test, just lay there and let the machine slowly go over your body. Maybe if you have a couple of drinks while you have to wait that 3 hours or so to go back, you could take a little nap while they scan you. Just a suggestion. lol

    Hugs, Sue

    Had one and no big deal.
    Just make sure you use the bathroom before they sart. It took about 45 mins from start to finish and my bladder was full to start with. It showed several areas of arthritis but thank God no cancer. I pray you have the same results.

    Roseann
  • BunnyJane
    BunnyJane Member Posts: 213
    #10
    roseann4 said:

    Had one and no big deal.
    Just make sure you use the bathroom before they sart. It took about 45 mins from start to finish and my bladder was full to start with. It showed several areas of arthritis but thank God no cancer. I pray you have the same results.

    Roseann

    Easy test
    I agree with the other posts- the test is easy and not at all uncomfortable. Best of luck for good results! Jane
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #11
    BunnyJane said:

    Easy test
    I agree with the other posts- the test is easy and not at all uncomfortable. Best of luck for good results! Jane

    Hey Teena
    The bone scan is simple, it just takes awhile. You are laying there on the table in your clothes, so, it isn't bad at all. Be sure and try to drink lots of water after they give you the tracer stuff so it goes thru your body. Good luck!

    Lex♥
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #12
    Teena, my experience matches
    Teena, my experience matches everyone else's here. The test is easy, as tests go. I will be thinking of you and praying for good test results on Monday.

    Good to see you posting. Missed you!
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #13
    Moopy23 said:

    Teena, my experience matches
    Teena, my experience matches everyone else's here. The test is easy, as tests go. I will be thinking of you and praying for good test results on Monday.

    Good to see you posting. Missed you!

    I am the same as what
    I am the same as what everyone else wrote. You will be fine. No worries.

    Praying for good results with your scan. Let us know.

    Angie
  • taleena
    taleena Member Posts: 1,612 Member
    #14
    Angie2U said:

    I am the same as what
    I am the same as what everyone else wrote. You will be fine. No worries.

    Praying for good results with your scan. Let us know.

    Angie

    Teena... will be thinking of
    Teena... will be thinking of you on Monday... I had one several years ago and really there not too bad... the injection is the worst part.. then the wait in between... Hang in there and let us know how things go!

    ♥ & hugs,

    ~T
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #15
    taleena said:

    Teena... will be thinking of
    Teena... will be thinking of you on Monday... I had one several years ago and really there not too bad... the injection is the worst part.. then the wait in between... Hang in there and let us know how things go!

    ♥ & hugs,

    ~T

    The bone scan is really ok
    The bone scan is really ok Teena. Just get your injection of the tracer, go away for 3 hours or so, drink lots, come back, go to the bathroom, lay down and the machine goes from head to toe very slowly. Mine was also about an hour long. I am surprised that everyone who has had bc doesn't get one. Good luck!
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #16
    Kylez said:

    The bone scan is really ok
    The bone scan is really ok Teena. Just get your injection of the tracer, go away for 3 hours or so, drink lots, come back, go to the bathroom, lay down and the machine goes from head to toe very slowly. Mine was also about an hour long. I am surprised that everyone who has had bc doesn't get one. Good luck!

    My husband has always been
    My husband has always been able to stay in the room with me , and I got the results that day.
  • Bree
    Bree Member Posts: 9
    #17
    Bone scan
    I had my bone scan last Friday. Was not bothersome at all. I also had to have my CAT scan done on the same day so it all was pretty quick. Worse part was waiting the 3 hours to go back and have the scan. I get my results back on Monday so praying they will be good.

    Best of luck on yours....keep the faith.

    Bree
  • terri805
    terri805 Member Posts: 122
    #18
    Bree said:

    Bone scan
    I had my bone scan last Friday. Was not bothersome at all. I also had to have my CAT scan done on the same day so it all was pretty quick. Worse part was waiting the 3 hours to go back and have the scan. I get my results back on Monday so praying they will be good.

    Best of luck on yours....keep the faith.

    Bree

    just curious
    Did all of you have to have a bone scan due to having breast cancer? I was just dx with insti ductal carcinoma yesterday and I haven't got to speak with an oncologist yet to know what the plan will be. Will I have to have a bone scan to? Here I have been freakin about having breast cancer and not even giving a thought to having it elsewhere.
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #19
    you've already had a lot of
    you've already had a lot of answers so I'll just add:
    I've had two bone scans and I looked over and saw the screen when I was leaving and it's really cool to see your own skeleton! I never saw myself so thin!
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #20
    terri805 said:

    just curious
    Did all of you have to have a bone scan due to having breast cancer? I was just dx with insti ductal carcinoma yesterday and I haven't got to speak with an oncologist yet to know what the plan will be. Will I have to have a bone scan to? Here I have been freakin about having breast cancer and not even giving a thought to having it elsewhere.

    They did a bone scan for me
    They did a bone scan for me as part of the staging. I was a stage 3a. Then after treatment I was having joint/bone pain and did another to make sure it was not mets to the bone. It wasn't.
  • m_azingrace
    m_azingrace Member Posts: 399
    #21
    Marcia527 said:

    you've already had a lot of
    you've already had a lot of answers so I'll just add:
    I've had two bone scans and I looked over and saw the screen when I was leaving and it's really cool to see your own skeleton! I never saw myself so thin!

    Bone scan
    I had the lumpecomy and lymph node removal, and many nodes were positive for BC. As a result, I was given CT scan, MRI's and the bone scan to see if/where the cancer had spread. It revealed mets to bone. I know how scarey it is to have to have so many tests, but the more they can find out about your disease, the better able they are to plan and execute the best course of treatment. I hope your bone scan went well. Hugs to you. Gracie.

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