PET Scan Whole Body
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

PET Scan Whole Body

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › PET Scan Whole Body

  • Post
    • December 20, 2016 at 9:28 pm
    Aloha14
    Participant

    I found out that my Pet scan is a whole body scan. I imagine machines differ but I was wondering how close the inside of the machine gets to one's face because I'm clausterphobic. Is it open on both ends? Is it like an MRI? 

Viewing 8 reply threads
  • Replies
      • December 20, 2016 at 10:17 pm
      jennunicorn
      Participant

      PETs are always whole body, never heard of it being partial. It is the same machine as CT.. I get PET/CT scans when I go, I get CT first then the PET portion starts. It's a large opening and is open on both ends, so when they get past the top part of your body and move you down, eventually your head is out of the machine for a good part of the scan. I usually take a nap.. and I am also claustrophobic, brain MRIs are nightmares for me, even with anxiety meds, and PET/CT scans are easy peasy.

      • December 20, 2016 at 10:17 pm
      jennunicorn
      Participant

      PETs are always whole body, never heard of it being partial. It is the same machine as CT.. I get PET/CT scans when I go, I get CT first then the PET portion starts. It's a large opening and is open on both ends, so when they get past the top part of your body and move you down, eventually your head is out of the machine for a good part of the scan. I usually take a nap.. and I am also claustrophobic, brain MRIs are nightmares for me, even with anxiety meds, and PET/CT scans are easy peasy.

      • December 20, 2016 at 10:17 pm
      jennunicorn
      Participant

      PETs are always whole body, never heard of it being partial. It is the same machine as CT.. I get PET/CT scans when I go, I get CT first then the PET portion starts. It's a large opening and is open on both ends, so when they get past the top part of your body and move you down, eventually your head is out of the machine for a good part of the scan. I usually take a nap.. and I am also claustrophobic, brain MRIs are nightmares for me, even with anxiety meds, and PET/CT scans are easy peasy.

      • December 21, 2016 at 12:13 am
      Aloha14
      Participant

      Thanks Jenn. The office staff/scheduling staff said you have to rest for an hour after being injected before the scan starts. Does that mean you can just sit and wait and not move around? I have other complicating problems regarding my back and neck that's why it matters how long I have to lay on an exam table.

      • December 21, 2016 at 12:13 am
      Aloha14
      Participant

      Thanks Jenn. The office staff/scheduling staff said you have to rest for an hour after being injected before the scan starts. Does that mean you can just sit and wait and not move around? I have other complicating problems regarding my back and neck that's why it matters how long I have to lay on an exam table.

        • December 21, 2016 at 1:02 am
        jennunicorn
        Participant

        Like I said before, it varies with every place how they do their "resting" period. Where I go now it's just sit and hang out in a private waiting room situation, I'm not forced to lay on an exam table or anything. Hopefully it's similar where you are going. You can let them know about your back and neck issues and that you have to be able to move a bit in order to be comfortable.

        • December 21, 2016 at 1:02 am
        jennunicorn
        Participant

        Like I said before, it varies with every place how they do their "resting" period. Where I go now it's just sit and hang out in a private waiting room situation, I'm not forced to lay on an exam table or anything. Hopefully it's similar where you are going. You can let them know about your back and neck issues and that you have to be able to move a bit in order to be comfortable.

        • December 21, 2016 at 1:02 am
        jennunicorn
        Participant

        Like I said before, it varies with every place how they do their "resting" period. Where I go now it's just sit and hang out in a private waiting room situation, I'm not forced to lay on an exam table or anything. Hopefully it's similar where you are going. You can let them know about your back and neck issues and that you have to be able to move a bit in order to be comfortable.

      • December 21, 2016 at 12:13 am
      Aloha14
      Participant

      Thanks Jenn. The office staff/scheduling staff said you have to rest for an hour after being injected before the scan starts. Does that mean you can just sit and wait and not move around? I have other complicating problems regarding my back and neck that's why it matters how long I have to lay on an exam table.

      • December 21, 2016 at 1:19 am
      mjanssentx
      Participant

      Aloha – I am probably on PET scan #8 or 9 by now.  Here are my top recommendations.

      1:  Go in relaxed.  The actual procedure is the easy part.  They give you something to drink (contrast) and a shot with the glucose isotope.  You sit completely still for about an hour before they put you in the machine.  

      2:  Bring a Bluetooth speaker that connects to your phone and plays your favorite music.  I bring it to both that sitting portion and don't move for an hour along with the actual procedure in the PET scan machine.

      3:  Close your eyes for the entire procedure.  I never fall completely asleep but I am in "Zen" mode.  Since I am listening to my music…i count the songs that approximate time for the scan.  (Just 5 more songs and I am done.)

      4:  Make sure you are comfortable at the very beginning beginning…get a warm blanket and make sure the position that they have you in is comfortable (like the leg cushions and the arm straps).

      5:  Ensure that you have your doctor appointment scheduled for the very next morning.  Some places can do it on the same day but I usually schedule the PET scan for Monday mornings with the doctor readout on Tuesday morning.

      The hard part for me is actually the second day…right before the doctor appointment.  (my blood pressure is usually way high).  So far I have been NED for just over 2 years.  My next scan is in late January.

      Best wishes 

      Michel

      • December 21, 2016 at 1:19 am
      mjanssentx
      Participant

      Aloha – I am probably on PET scan #8 or 9 by now.  Here are my top recommendations.

      1:  Go in relaxed.  The actual procedure is the easy part.  They give you something to drink (contrast) and a shot with the glucose isotope.  You sit completely still for about an hour before they put you in the machine.  

      2:  Bring a Bluetooth speaker that connects to your phone and plays your favorite music.  I bring it to both that sitting portion and don't move for an hour along with the actual procedure in the PET scan machine.

      3:  Close your eyes for the entire procedure.  I never fall completely asleep but I am in "Zen" mode.  Since I am listening to my music…i count the songs that approximate time for the scan.  (Just 5 more songs and I am done.)

      4:  Make sure you are comfortable at the very beginning beginning…get a warm blanket and make sure the position that they have you in is comfortable (like the leg cushions and the arm straps).

      5:  Ensure that you have your doctor appointment scheduled for the very next morning.  Some places can do it on the same day but I usually schedule the PET scan for Monday mornings with the doctor readout on Tuesday morning.

      The hard part for me is actually the second day…right before the doctor appointment.  (my blood pressure is usually way high).  So far I have been NED for just over 2 years.  My next scan is in late January.

      Best wishes 

      Michel

        • December 21, 2016 at 6:52 pm
        jennunicorn
        Participant

        The contrast drink is not typical, I have had PET alone and PET/CTs many times in 2 different facilities, never had to drink contrast, so don't expect that. So many different ways places do scans I guess. Contrast is usually used for CTs.. when I do the CT portion of the PET/CT they do the contrast that gets injected while I'm in the machine, but no drink.

         

        • December 21, 2016 at 6:52 pm
        jennunicorn
        Participant

        The contrast drink is not typical, I have had PET alone and PET/CTs many times in 2 different facilities, never had to drink contrast, so don't expect that. So many different ways places do scans I guess. Contrast is usually used for CTs.. when I do the CT portion of the PET/CT they do the contrast that gets injected while I'm in the machine, but no drink.

         

        • December 21, 2016 at 6:52 pm
        jennunicorn
        Participant

        The contrast drink is not typical, I have had PET alone and PET/CTs many times in 2 different facilities, never had to drink contrast, so don't expect that. So many different ways places do scans I guess. Contrast is usually used for CTs.. when I do the CT portion of the PET/CT they do the contrast that gets injected while I'm in the machine, but no drink.

         

      • December 21, 2016 at 1:19 am
      mjanssentx
      Participant

      Aloha – I am probably on PET scan #8 or 9 by now.  Here are my top recommendations.

      1:  Go in relaxed.  The actual procedure is the easy part.  They give you something to drink (contrast) and a shot with the glucose isotope.  You sit completely still for about an hour before they put you in the machine.  

      2:  Bring a Bluetooth speaker that connects to your phone and plays your favorite music.  I bring it to both that sitting portion and don't move for an hour along with the actual procedure in the PET scan machine.

      3:  Close your eyes for the entire procedure.  I never fall completely asleep but I am in "Zen" mode.  Since I am listening to my music…i count the songs that approximate time for the scan.  (Just 5 more songs and I am done.)

      4:  Make sure you are comfortable at the very beginning beginning…get a warm blanket and make sure the position that they have you in is comfortable (like the leg cushions and the arm straps).

      5:  Ensure that you have your doctor appointment scheduled for the very next morning.  Some places can do it on the same day but I usually schedule the PET scan for Monday mornings with the doctor readout on Tuesday morning.

      The hard part for me is actually the second day…right before the doctor appointment.  (my blood pressure is usually way high).  So far I have been NED for just over 2 years.  My next scan is in late January.

      Best wishes 

      Michel

Viewing 8 reply threads
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
About the MRF Patient Forum

The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

Popular Topics