PET scan - cortisone injection

olybee
olybee Member Posts: 85
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Well, Bob went in today for his first post-treatment PET scan. The technician asked if he'd had any recent treatments. Bob said, well, I just got a cortisone injection in my shoulder last week. The tech said, oh, then that will light up like a Christmas tree. Argghhh
I asked the ortho before he gave the injection if it would affect anything - "nope, no problem." Now I won't have confidence in the PET scan, because I'm a natural born worrier, and I've been worrying about why his shoulder joint went out mid radiation anyway. Anybody know anything about this, have any helpful info? I am in real need of positive outcome at this point. This is so difficult - again, I so respect all of you who are living through this. I'm just the caregiver, and I want to cry, swear, scream, etc.

Comments

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #2
    Hi olybee

    Sorry I just don’t know enough about cortisone injections with PET scans to give you a good answer, hope someone else can do better.

    Hondo
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #3
    PET scans are done by injecting radio-labeled
    glucose into the body while the body is fasting. The fasting state helps ensure there isn't a lot of glucose around when the test is done. This helps the cells pick up the labeled stuff. Since cancer cells tend to be metabolically very active, they highlight with the uptaken labeled glucose.

    It is true that cortisone can elevate your glucose levels. but the test your glucose before injecting you. If your level is above about 120, they don't do the test. If you had the test, therefore, there is no concern about any of this interfering with the results.

    Best
  • francma
    francma Member Posts: 69 Member
    #4
    shoulder pain
    Oh my..I was diagnosed a month ago with frozen shoulder...last treatments for me were 4/18/11. I'm wondering if he is experiencing the same as myself. Very painful. I've been seeing a physical therapist the past month. The cortisone injections have not been recommended yet, but I am in pain..aches alot in both arms. Have they suggested PT before it locks up? He will do well..believe and keep positive. It is a difficult journey..but can be overcomed. I wish I'd taken yoga to stretch muscles and relieve all this stress. This is a great website. Keep in touch and stay strong!

    Fran
  • francma
    francma Member Posts: 69 Member
    #5
    shoulder pain
    Oh my..I was diagnosed a month ago with frozen shoulder...last treatments for me were 4/18/11. I'm wondering if he is experiencing the same as myself. Very painful. I've been seeing a physical therapist the past month. The cortisone injections have not been recommended yet, but I am in pain..aches alot in both arms. Have they suggested PT before it locks up? He will do well..believe and keep positive. It is a difficult journey..but can be overcomed. I wish I'd taken yoga to stretch muscles and relieve all this stress. This is a great website. Keep in touch and stay strong!

    Fran
  • francma
    francma Member Posts: 69 Member
    #6
    shoulder pain
    Oh my..I was diagnosed a month ago with frozen shoulder...last treatments for me were 4/18/11. I'm wondering if he is experiencing the same as myself. Very painful. I've been seeing a physical therapist the past month. The cortisone injections have not been recommended yet, but I am in pain..aches alot in both arms. Have they suggested PT before it locks up? He will do well..believe and keep positive. It is a difficult journey..but can be overcomed. I wish I'd taken yoga to stretch muscles and relieve all this stress. This is a great website. Keep in touch and stay strong!

    Fran
  • francma
    francma Member Posts: 69 Member
    #7
    shoulder pain
    dup..sorry
  • olybee
    olybee Member Posts: 85
    #8
    francma said:

    shoulder pain
    dup..sorry

    PT
    he is going to start PT next week, and I hope it will help. We get the PET news tomorrow, so fingers crossed, praying for NED

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