Chest Scans?

[LouLou]

I'm curious. How many adults have gotten these done and is it regularly (like annual)? I've noticed CFF hasn't made it part of their suggested care but wonder if we should be having them.

 

[ladybug]

Do you mean a CT scan of your lungs? I had one of these once... its where they inject dye and have you lay really still, right? They were just seeing how well air moves through my lungs. It was kinda weird, cause I had just went to the U of M in Minnesota to "meet" the transplant coordinator even though I was like 60% FEV1... just to get a feel for the center and its people. Well, she suggested I have one done just "to see". So, I did. Not sure what it accomplished. Nothing ever came of it. She read the results and said they were as expected and nothing was ever said again. I don't really know why we did it, or what point it served in the long run. That was probably 11 years ago, and nothing has been stated since by the 2 CF centers I've been seen at since. Hmmmm.... I suppose like with everything, it is an expensive test, and they probably don't suggest it unless there is a good reason. Hmmmm....

Good question. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[anonymous]

To my knowledge I have only had one CT Scan on my lungs. It was last Friday and was to check for a pulmonary embolism - results negative for embolism thank goodness.
As for the way my lungs looked. My doc said that it showed what is typical of someone with Cystic Fibrosis or any lung disease. He also said he didn't see anything out of the ordinary.
I have never had anyone suggst it before last week. I am glad too cause I didn't like the way the dye made me feel. Just a wierd sensation and not one I am anxious to repeat (had one other CT Scan - for something else and the sensation was not as bad as the one for my chest).

Lindsey - cotlsfan715 just not signed in
23 CF/CFRD

 

[thelizardqueen]

I've never had a chest scan, but I am going for my first one on saturday. My doc has finally decided to make this a routine thing so that he can stay on top of business. Looks like he's finally getting some sense into his head and is starting to do more regular things since I've started to complain to him about my care.

 

[Diane]

I've had 2 of them. One time years ago without dye.... and one after my second embolization ( with dye) , to make sure there werent any other offending dilated blood vessels . I may have another in the future if hemoptysis keeps rearing its ugly head .

 

[NoExcuses]

Latest studies are showing that CT scans over an extended period of time are causing increased cancer risks in CF patients.

But like anything (bronchs, PICC lines, antibiotics) there is a risk vs. reward we all must access.

 

[anonymous]

very high radiation compared to x-rays. That's what I've heard. Cancer doesn't supprise me.

John

 

[NoExcuses]

now i remember where i read it. in CF Roundtable towards the back.

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.usacfa.com/
">http://www.usacfa.com/
</a>

i don't think they have the newsletter online, but if you're really interested in reading it, you can order a back issue.

 

[anonymous]

Liz
In case no one warned you, if you have a CT Scan with contrast, when they run that stuff through your veins you will feel real hot & it will feel like you just peed yourself.

 

[thelizardqueen]

Thanks Anon. I've been told that it feels like a hot flush going through your body. Thanks for the heads up that it feels like you've peed yourself. If I hadn't of known I would have thought I'd done that to myself. LOL.

 

[princessjdc]

Ive had a ct done on my lungs in '03 the first year to ever get a pick line. Yea I remember the die they gave me cause it felt like I had to pee and I got really warm. But havent had one since then.

 

[anonymous]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote> I've been told that it feels like a hot flush going through your body. Thanks for the heads up that it feels like you've peed yourself. If I hadn't of known I would have thought I'd done that to myself. LOL.</end quote></div>

LOL .. the first time I had one done was for a test they were doing on my gallbladder/liver and all and they didn't tell me about this side effect. I started trying to take my pants off cause I thought I had peed myself. lol. All I could think was OH NO! I have just peed my pants and I have to walk out through a crowd of people ugh. Then the woman yelled stop disrobing .. that is a normal sensation.

You also can get a metallic taste in your mouth. With the Chest scan (the one they did for me anyway) the dye is injected at a faster rate, so the warming sensation doesn't last to long esp in comparison to a reg CT Scan. You can also get a nausea type feeling and feel like you have a weight on your chest. It goes away in a few seconds maybe 30 at most after they finish the test.

Lindsey