PET Scan instructions

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  • Chris3
    Chris3 Member Posts: 58
    #22
    48 Hour Prep for my PET
    I just had my second PET Scan. Mine had a 48 hour prep - augh! My scan was at 1pm on Wednesday. On Monday midday, I was to stop with any solid food. Monday early evening, I had to drink 4 liters of Gavilyte to "clean" out my system. Then all day Tuesday I could only have clear, sugar-free liquids (broth, sugar-free jello or soda, water). Then at 9am on Wednesday, I could only have water. Upon arriving at 1pm then they took the water away. I was injected with radioactive dye and told to sit quietly for 1 1/2 hours. The instructions also said no exercise, walking, heavy housework (<-- the only benefit!) on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. By the time I was done with my scans (also had a chest CT) it was after 4pm. I thought I was going to faint! I lost 5 pounds.

    (Had a funny(?) nightmare on Tuesday night before my scan. I dreamt I was asking my doctor how often I would need follow-up scans. The nightmare doctor said I would need a PET Scan weekly for the first 3 months. I woke up in a cold sweat!)
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #23
    Chris3 said:

    48 Hour Prep for my PET
    I just had my second PET Scan. Mine had a 48 hour prep - augh! My scan was at 1pm on Wednesday. On Monday midday, I was to stop with any solid food. Monday early evening, I had to drink 4 liters of Gavilyte to "clean" out my system. Then all day Tuesday I could only have clear, sugar-free liquids (broth, sugar-free jello or soda, water). Then at 9am on Wednesday, I could only have water. Upon arriving at 1pm then they took the water away. I was injected with radioactive dye and told to sit quietly for 1 1/2 hours. The instructions also said no exercise, walking, heavy housework (<-- the only benefit!) on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. By the time I was done with my scans (also had a chest CT) it was after 4pm. I thought I was going to faint! I lost 5 pounds.

    (Had a funny(?) nightmare on Tuesday night before my scan. I dreamt I was asking my doctor how often I would need follow-up scans. The nightmare doctor said I would need a PET Scan weekly for the first 3 months. I woke up in a cold sweat!)</p>

    PET prep
    Wow Chris. You are the first person I've heard about having to do this sort of prep prior to a PET scan. It sounds almost similar to prepping for a colonoscopy! I am having a PET on 7/28 and my instructions are no vigorous exercise for 24 hours, no caffeine for 12 hours, and nothing to eat for 4 hours prior to the scan--water is ok. I have inquired when I had previous PET scans (I've had 7 previously) about cutting back on carbs prior to the scan. The tech told me that even things I had eaten the evening before would not affect the scan. At my hospital, they will do scans on anyone with a glucose level below 200. I also only have to sit for about an hour after the glucose injection. Do they have you drink any contrast prior to the scan? I always have to drink a small bottle. You poor dear, I bet you were about ready to faint after all of that! Weekly PET scans--now that's a scary nightmare! I hope your results come back all good!
  • Chris3
    Chris3 Member Posts: 58
    #24
    mp327 said:

    PET prep
    Wow Chris. You are the first person I've heard about having to do this sort of prep prior to a PET scan. It sounds almost similar to prepping for a colonoscopy! I am having a PET on 7/28 and my instructions are no vigorous exercise for 24 hours, no caffeine for 12 hours, and nothing to eat for 4 hours prior to the scan--water is ok. I have inquired when I had previous PET scans (I've had 7 previously) about cutting back on carbs prior to the scan. The tech told me that even things I had eaten the evening before would not affect the scan. At my hospital, they will do scans on anyone with a glucose level below 200. I also only have to sit for about an hour after the glucose injection. Do they have you drink any contrast prior to the scan? I always have to drink a small bottle. You poor dear, I bet you were about ready to faint after all of that! Weekly PET scans--now that's a scary nightmare! I hope your results come back all good!

    PET prep
    I've had 3 colonoscopys and the PET Prep is worse! I was really jealous when I read the other posts talking about the shorter prep time. Oh well... like you said, not a lot of consistancy.

    When I had my PET, I didn't need contrast - just the radioactive IV. When I had my 2 Pelvic CT Scans, then I was injected with contrast.
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    #25
    Chris3 said:

    PET prep
    I've had 3 colonoscopys and the PET Prep is worse! I was really jealous when I read the other posts talking about the shorter prep time. Oh well... like you said, not a lot of consistancy.

    When I had my PET, I didn't need contrast - just the radioactive IV. When I had my 2 Pelvic CT Scans, then I was injected with contrast.

    PET prep
    I just was told no eating 6 hours before. That was about it. I had a pet-ct merged images. Dreams are so funny, and I am glad that this was a dream, I certainly wouldn't want a pet every week. LOL. Lori
  • pjjenkins
    pjjenkins Member Posts: 173
    #26
    Chris3 said:

    48 Hour Prep for my PET
    I just had my second PET Scan. Mine had a 48 hour prep - augh! My scan was at 1pm on Wednesday. On Monday midday, I was to stop with any solid food. Monday early evening, I had to drink 4 liters of Gavilyte to "clean" out my system. Then all day Tuesday I could only have clear, sugar-free liquids (broth, sugar-free jello or soda, water). Then at 9am on Wednesday, I could only have water. Upon arriving at 1pm then they took the water away. I was injected with radioactive dye and told to sit quietly for 1 1/2 hours. The instructions also said no exercise, walking, heavy housework (<-- the only benefit!) on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. By the time I was done with my scans (also had a chest CT) it was after 4pm. I thought I was going to faint! I lost 5 pounds.

    (Had a funny(?) nightmare on Tuesday night before my scan. I dreamt I was asking my doctor how often I would need follow-up scans. The nightmare doctor said I would need a PET Scan weekly for the first 3 months. I woke up in a cold sweat!)</p>

    PET preps
    Hi, Chris,
    My sympathy on your prep! Mine was more like MPs as previously written. No wonder you had a nightmare! I suspect there are none among us who would be able to deal with WEEKLY scans!!! LOL!
  • susan smiles
    susan smiles Member Posts: 12
    #27
    Xylitol is healthy Treat!
    I have known for a long time that cancer is fed by sugar, the first time they gave me a PET scan, 8 years ago. The Glucose goes straight to the cancer to feed it. So why don't they tell that to cancer patients? Xylitol is a healthy form of sugar that cancer patients can have. It actually increases the white blood cell count. It has to be made from Birch Bark and not Corn as most corn is GMO. Global Sweets is a good source. Tell them, The SilverSpoon Chef recommended it to you. They are really nice!
  • chennai
    chennai Member Posts: 1
    #28
    z said:

    pre pet
    Joanne,

    The last pet I had I was instructed not to eat for 6 hours prior to the scan. When I arrived they tested my blood sugar to make sure it was in normal range. The medicine they give you to drink prior to the scan is some type of glucose concoction. Since cancer tumors intake all the sugar they can, thats what makes the pet show the activity of any cancer tumors as they suck up the glucose and as they say light up the cancer tumors. Lori

    good mornig.. what is the time gap for pet scans..

  • Phoebesnow
    Phoebesnow Member Posts: 600 Member
    edited May 2017 #29
    chennai said:

    good mornig.. what is the time gap for pet scans..

    Pet scans

    usually 3 months after tx is completed.  

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