so much for a petscan

AnneBehymer
AnneBehymer Member Posts: 738 Member
in Ovarian Cancer #1
Went for my petscan today first problem I felt like crap so bad that after the petscan I was going to the ER. Second problem I am clastrophobic but I looked up the machine online and felt like I would be fine. Guess what I was anything but fine thank God the tech said lets do a run through so I could show you how it works. We tried two times and still I could not handle it soooooo I was not able to get it done. The tech did talk about sudation as an option. I say put me to sleep that will be the only way to do it.

Love, Hugs, and Prayers
Anne

Comments

  • Cafewoman53
    Cafewoman53 Member Posts: 735 Member
    #2
    oh no
    Maybe you can try again with anti-anxiety drugs. They have open mri machines for claustraphobic people do they have open pet scanners as well?
    Also try it with a washcloth over your eyes if you can't see it I think it helps, my best friend is claustraphobic and that helps her.
    I'm so sorry this happened to you.
    Colleen
  • antcat
    antcat Member Posts: 270
    #3
    PET Scan
    Hi Annie,I know the feeling, I was petrified the first time I was told to go for a PET scan, but the doctor gave me a prescription for Ativan and told me to take it 1 hr. before Scan. I actually took it at the hospital, because you have to wait 1 hr. when they put the glucose in you. I also bought a black sleep mask & just before I went into the machine, I put the mask on. I couldn't see anything and I got thru the PET scan fine. I actually had a PET scan done several times, and never had experienced any problems as long as I followed the above.

    Good luck and take care.

    AntCat
  • whiterose
    whiterose Member Posts: 89
    #4
    Sorry
    Sorry you had this experience! I'm claustrophobic also, but I simply shut my eyes and didn't open them til the scan was over. It worked for me. The washcloth idea sounds like a good one, too. My biggest complaint was that it was freezing in the scan room, even more so than the chemo room, which is really something.....
  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #5
    Sorry Anne
    I hope you're feeling better. Did you end up going to the ER? I used to be horribly claustrophobic and couldn't do MRIs without heavy sedation. I had someone to EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) on me one time, and all these tests were a breeze afterwards. EFT is a tapping technique that releases trauma. It is amazing that it makes that much difference, but it did for me. I also had it done on one of my horses who was clearly abused in the past. His change was instantaneous and he was no longer fearful of people afterwards. Maybe you could find a practitioner in your area.
  • LaundryQueen
    LaundryQueen Member Posts: 676
    #6
    Tethys41 said:

    Sorry Anne
    I hope you're feeling better. Did you end up going to the ER? I used to be horribly claustrophobic and couldn't do MRIs without heavy sedation. I had someone to EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) on me one time, and all these tests were a breeze afterwards. EFT is a tapping technique that releases trauma. It is amazing that it makes that much difference, but it did for me. I also had it done on one of my horses who was clearly abused in the past. His change was instantaneous and he was no longer fearful of people afterwards. Maybe you could find a practitioner in your area.

    EFT
    EFT is amazing! I have seen the technique work wonders for phobias & fears.

    Please consider trying EFT, Anne, PET/CT scans are so helpful. I'm sorry you had such a hard time today.

    The technician told me the scanner HAS to be kept in a cold room or it will overheat. I wore wool socks & long underwear for the occasion.
  • AnneBehymer
    AnneBehymer Member Posts: 738 Member
    #7
    LaundryQueen said:

    EFT
    EFT is amazing! I have seen the technique work wonders for phobias & fears.

    Please consider trying EFT, Anne, PET/CT scans are so helpful. I'm sorry you had such a hard time today.

    The technician told me the scanner HAS to be kept in a cold room or it will overheat. I wore wool socks & long underwear for the occasion.

    it turned out to be good
    it turned out to be good that it was not done because my state health care that I am on will not pay for it at the hosptial I have to go somewhere else to get it done. The doctor and I talked about the heave sedation and that is how I am going to go. I will check into the EFT I just asked my mom and she said it is much like EMDR which uses lights. I did try the wash cloth that is what I sue for catscans but there was something about touching the sides of the machine so I curled my shoulders and place my hands on my lap and then I felt the upper part and that just freaked me out. I think some of it was because I was not feeling well it made it worst but unless I am under I really don't think I can do it without being put under.

    Love, Hugs, and Prayers
    Anne
  • lovesanimals
    lovesanimals Member Posts: 1,366 Member
    #8
    AnneBehymer said:

    it turned out to be good
    it turned out to be good that it was not done because my state health care that I am on will not pay for it at the hosptial I have to go somewhere else to get it done. The doctor and I talked about the heave sedation and that is how I am going to go. I will check into the EFT I just asked my mom and she said it is much like EMDR which uses lights. I did try the wash cloth that is what I sue for catscans but there was something about touching the sides of the machine so I curled my shoulders and place my hands on my lap and then I felt the upper part and that just freaked me out. I think some of it was because I was not feeling well it made it worst but unless I am under I really don't think I can do it without being put under.

    Love, Hugs, and Prayers
    Anne

    Hi Anne
    I think sedation is the way to go for you. I'm already on an anti-depressant for anxiety and panic attacks, so I think I would be okay having a PET scan. Without my med, I'm sure I would have the same reaction as you. Glad you know now to have the scan done in a non-hospital setting, so that your health care will cover it. I think your next experience with a PET scan will go smoothly and please of course let us know the outcome.

    Take care,
    Kelly
  • AnneBehymer
    AnneBehymer Member Posts: 738 Member
    #9
    lovesanimals said:

    Hi Anne
    I think sedation is the way to go for you. I'm already on an anti-depressant for anxiety and panic attacks, so I think I would be okay having a PET scan. Without my med, I'm sure I would have the same reaction as you. Glad you know now to have the scan done in a non-hospital setting, so that your health care will cover it. I think your next experience with a PET scan will go smoothly and please of course let us know the outcome.

    Take care,
    Kelly

    Kelly
    I will let you know what I find out when the petscan is completed. I got a call today from my health care and they said they now will cover anything done at my hospital. They approved the Petscan I was so glad to hear that I did not want to change doctors.

    Love, Hugs, and Prayers
    Anne
  • lovesanimals
    lovesanimals Member Posts: 1,366 Member
    #10
    AnneBehymer said:

    Kelly
    I will let you know what I find out when the petscan is completed. I got a call today from my health care and they said they now will cover anything done at my hospital. They approved the Petscan I was so glad to hear that I did not want to change doctors.

    Love, Hugs, and Prayers
    Anne

    So glad
    So glad that your health care approved the hospital Petscan and you don't have to change doctors! That's one less thing to worry about!

    Kelly

Discussion Boards