Anybody ever have a PET scan?

[John Schmidt]

My cardiologist has ordered one for me and I'm wondering if it's anything like an MRI. Unless it's an open MRI, I refuse unless they put me under. Goes back to something that's stuck with me that happened in the service, guess I never got over it in the subconcious because I can't even handle a full face helmet with the chin guard. My dr. doesn't apparently believe me when I respond to his questions. This time he asked how far I can walk before I get winded, I suggested he didn't listen to me earlier when I was discussing how I ride the bicycle 3-4 times a week for anywhere from 6 miles on up...depending on the weather mostly. I told him walking isn't something I care to do, mainly because it's about as boring as watching haircuts. He just looked at me, then asked the same question again. So I said "hey, earth to Dr. XXXX, are you even listening to me?" When he said yes, I asked what I had just told him, his response..."that's not important."  I think our relationship is about to come to a close, plus I get a strong feeling he's not being upfront with me. I'll find out soon because I let their office know I'm not subjecting myself to any more tests until I get some answers. His defense..."all I want to know is...." then asked the same lame question again about getting winded.

So, as I walked out the door and in front of all those in the waiting room, I turned and asked him if he had a bicycle. He answered in the affirmative. Then I suggested he meet me next M, W, & F evening with his bicycle....and try to keep up. He's done a complete about face in the last couple years and I'm fed up with him....time to move on, wouldn't you agree?

I even convinced my wife to change neurologists for her Parkinson's disease. She had the same problem with the previous one that I have with my current cardiologist. Her new one has advised her and explained more in ten minutes than the other one did in the last ten years. He's also pressing for her to undergo the Deep Brain Stimulation surgery, she's to the point where something needs to be done. If you've ever watched Michael J. Fox being interviewed, with all his movement he has more control than she does....plus she's almost lost her voice. That would kill me, not hearing her speak anymore. The surgery would help alleviate that to some degree. If she were still going to the prior dr., we would be looking at nursing homes for her by the end of next year.

Sorry for the rant, just tired of keeping these darn dr's. in new cars and not getting any satisfaction in the treatment. At least pay attention to the answer when you ask a question.

[R J]

This is the easiest way to explain it.

http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=PET

[JimL]

John I have read enough of your posts to realize that you are a pretty bright guy, not for me to judge but you might be just a little stubborn right now!  

As you are well aware, many of the bullshit tests that physicians order are to protect themselves from frivolous lawsuits that might pop-up down the road (often from outstanding, altruistic lawyers like Senator John Edwards).  Until the political climate changes and serious consideration is given to tort reform.....your going to have to endure this stuff.  Furthermore....there is an off chance that might actually need to have this test done!

In my opinion if you have good health care coverage and there are no other compelling reasons for dumping your physician...put up with the aggravation and follow your physicians directions.

[John Schmidt]

I get impatient at times. When I told my eldest that, she said "whoa dad, like we girls never saw that coming!"  It's not for a few weeks so I have some time to unwind from my last dr. visit. Guess I'll go for a ride.

RJ, that was a good article. I might go over to the facility that will be doing the PET scan and see if they'll let me look at the machine, see what's involved in the process. Me and tight spaces don't get along anymore so I need to know ahead of time.

[Willow]

  I think our relationship is about to come to a close,  ...

Sounds to me like it's time, John, unless he's so good at what he does that you're compelled to overlook his shortcomings.

A lot of doctors and most patients seem to be confused regarding the relationship.  People ask me about doctors' orders and I tell them I don't get orders from doctors, I get recommendations.  I greatly value the input of trained physicians, but I'm in charge of my own health.  When a doctor demonstrates that he (or she) is under the impression that the doctor is supposed to dictate to the mindless patient, it's time to move on.

You may have a little trouble with a PET scan. 

[f6gal]

I haven't personally had the PET scan experience, but most claustrophobic people are able to tolerate a PET scan.  It's not nearly as bad as a closed MRI on two counts.  First, only the part of your body being scanned is in the machine (your head is outside the other end).  Second, the scanner makes far less noise.  If you're able to tolerate an open MRI, you should be fine with the PET scan.

As far as your doctor, some of the best doctors have the worst bedside manner.  However, you need to understand your treatment and your options... if he's failing you in the communication department, you need to move on.

[gregc]

I had a pet scan before my heart valve surgery.  they put you in a very tiny tube during the scan, alot like a .cat scan machine

[solo1]

I think that I had a PET scan about ten years ago and wasn't aware of the name.  They removed some blood from me ,made it radioactive, and reinjected. Waited awhile and then was placed in two different machines to read the activity.  However, I don't think that a CAT scan was done.

I cannot stand a closed MRI machine, have to use an open one.  I had no trouble with the PET machines.

As to your comments on doctors, I agree 100%.  I 'm in charge of my own body, not them.   Just the other day I saw the ortho doctor again about my knees.  Since I have had no pain or problems since Inzane, I told him i would wait before I have my knees replaced.  He stormed out of the room so fast, that he left skid marks , figuratively speaking.

The patient should be in control and make informed decisions if the doctor is willing to give them the facts.  Some doctors don't like to let the patient decide.

[John Schmidt]

I'm with Carl and others on this...I make the final decision. I think what bothers me most is his communication with me, and the reaction...or lack thereof, to my answers to his questions. I get the same reaction from him that we all sometimes have with our children when we ask; "what are you doing?" And they answer "nothing."  His orders for tests, etc., are just that...."orders."  I have some free time next week and plan to stop at the facility that will be administering the scan, doing so in hopes of letting me see the actual machine. Right now, I have enough going on and if this is something I can put off I plan to do so....I just want a straight answer from the dr.

[sugerbear]

being in that line of work (x-ray) the PET scanner is USUALLY built into a CAT scanner.

so it's just like having a cat scan.
your head is RARELY inside to scanner, just going through.
i'm VERY claustrophobic and can do a ct but not an MRI.

[BF]

I've had an MRI (closed), a whole bunch of CT scans (scheduled for one at the end of this year) and one PET scan. 

The MRI was like being stuffed into a tube and it sounded like I was inside a clothes dryer with a pair of tennis shoes in them.......LOUD....and you can't move.  Very confining. 

The CT scans and the PET scan are a piece of cake.  You lay on a table and the table moves into what looks like a huge dounut (large hole)......nothing to it.  You just hold your breath for a couple of seconds and lie still when they tell you while they take the image, then they slide you back out. 

You may be slid in and out several times depending on what they're doing. 

[BF]

"They removed some blood from me ,made it radioactive, and reinjected."


They used to do that to me with the first several years that I was getting the CT scans.  Felt like I was getting nuked from the inside out.  Wasn't bad, just really un-nerving.....felt kinda flushed but alot warmer. 

However, they stopped doing that several years ago and don't inject me with anything anymore. 

[F-106]

I had one 6 months ago. Just like an MRI but the tube is shorter on the machine. I understand the photos the doc gets back are better than the MRI photos. The way it was discribed to me is the PET scanner see items the doctors looks for that the MRI scanners cant pick up. I had my done at U.C Berkley.

My cardiologist has ordered one for me and I'm wondering if it's anything like an MRI. Unless it's an open MRI, I refuse unless they put me under. Goes back to something that's stuck with me that happened in the service, guess I never got over it in the subconcious because I can't even handle a full face helmet with the chin guard. My dr. doesn't apparently believe me when I respond to his questions. This time he asked how far I can walk before I get winded, I suggested he didn't listen to me earlier when I was discussing how I ride the bicycle 3-4 times a week for anywhere from 6 miles on up...depending on the weather mostly. I told him walking isn't something I care to do, mainly because it's about as boring as watching haircuts. He just looked at me, then asked the same question again. So I said "hey, earth to Dr. XXXX, are you even listening to me?" When he said yes, I asked what I had just told him, his response..."that's not important."  I think our relationship is about to come to a close, plus I get a strong feeling he's not being upfront with me. I'll find out soon because I let their office know I'm not subjecting myself to any more tests until I get some answers. His defense..."all I want to know is...." then asked the same lame question again about getting winded.

So, as I walked out the door and in front of all those in the waiting room, I turned and asked him if he had a bicycle. He answered in the affirmative. Then I suggested he meet me next M, W, & F evening with his bicycle....and try to keep up. He's done a complete about face in the last couple years and I'm fed up with him....time to move on, wouldn't you agree?

I even convinced my wife to change neurologists for her Parkinson's disease. She had the same problem with the previous one that I have with my current cardiologist. Her new one has advised her and explained more in ten minutes than the other one did in the last ten years. He's also pressing for her to undergo the Deep Brain Stimulation surgery, she's to the point where something needs to be done. If you've ever watched Michael J. Fox being interviewed, with all his movement he has more control than she does....plus she's almost lost her voice. That would kill me, not hearing her speak anymore. The surgery would help alleviate that to some degree. If she were still going to the prior dr., we would be looking at nursing homes for her by the end of next year.

Sorry for the rant, just tired of keeping these darn dr's. in new cars and not getting any satisfaction in the treatment. At least pay attention to the answer when you ask a question.

[medic263]

A good doctor will sit down and discuss things with you and not just bark out orders and walk out of the room.  Some people don't care about the doctors bedside manor, but I sure do.  And if you are in doubt, it does not hurt to get a second opinion.  Sometimes doctors get stuck in a rut and do not look at other options or ailments.

[Dougger]

John,
Sounds like you and Rita are good canidates for the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. I go there for prostate problems and friends in Titusville go there for any number of ailments. They work with the whole person not just the heart, or neurologic or any other single problem.

[NCGhostrider]

I would probably look around.  I have dealt with and have a few friends who are doctors.  The good ones are those that listen, and they listen even if they don't agree.  Bottom line is that you know more about your body than they do, but they have the skill to diagnose the tests and what you tell them is happening when you are alone, or away from them.  If they don't listen to ALL of it, they are not doing you their best.

A few let the "God" complex hit them.  They are used to being treated with awe and admiration and do not like being questioned.  And if any of you have ever worked for a doctor, that questioning concerns technology, construction etc.   They will often spend tremendous amounts of time learning all they can about everything they touch so they can be "in charge."   I told a good friend (doctor) of mine one day that I would eventually replace him with a computer, and he would just hire a technician to do the "grunt" work.  He doubted me... but have you seen trials they are doing in remote areas now.. a true doc in a box....  (yes I think it is scary too)

Just my observation, and I am not always right!   

[KerryNolan]

I had one recently, and it turns out I have one more dog than I thought I did.

Sorry...
Kerry

[thumper]

I've had probably half a dozen to monitor my cancer.  Basically, it's a CT or "CAT scan" using nuclear contrast.

Nothing to it.  They inject the nuclear contrast then you have to wait about 45 minutes for it to travel throughout the body.  The scan itself takes about 20 minutes.  Drink plenty of fluids to get rid of the contrast and that's pretty much it.

I have a big one coming the beginning of October to see if the new chemo treatment is working.