PET/CT with contrast-what to eat???

First….hang in there!  I know your brain is going 1000 miles an hour.  Mine still does too some days, but take a deep breath, and take things a step at a time. 

My PET scan instructions were for a low carb diet beginning at dinner the night before the scan, and I was to have NO food or drink for 4 hours before the scan.  Also, no strenuous exercise or accupuncture for 12 hours prior to the scan.  You can have a small amount of water in the 4 hours before the scan.  

Make sure you don't wear clothing with zippers or other metal (I wore sweats).

If you would like to message me and provide your e-mail address, I will scan and e-mail the paper to you.  

Remember…keep breathing.  Hang in there.  BTW, I was just diagnosed in July.  =)

First….hang in there!  I know your brain is going 1000 miles an hour.  Mine still does too some days, but take a deep breath, and take things a step at a time. 

My PET scan instructions were for a low carb diet beginning at dinner the night before the scan, and I was to have NO food or drink for 4 hours before the scan.  Also, no strenuous exercise or accupuncture for 12 hours prior to the scan.  You can have a small amount of water in the 4 hours before the scan.  

Make sure you don't wear clothing with zippers or other metal (I wore sweats).

If you would like to message me and provide your e-mail address, I will scan and e-mail the paper to you.  

Remember…keep breathing.  Hang in there.  BTW, I was just diagnosed in July.  =)

This is fascintaing to me.  I just had my first PET/CT less than two weeks ago.  Other than fasting for six hours, no one advised me of a particular diet to follow.  I did understand how the scan works to the extent that if my glucose levels were too high prior to the test, it would be postponed.  So, for the few days prior to my test, I avoided processed sugar mostly.  Not sure if it helped, but figured it made sense.

Hang in there.  The test is not bad at all, mostly boring for me.  During the "relaxation" time, I wasn't even allowed to read a book.  Be prepared to be alone with your thoughts.  I made a mental list of the things I will be doing after I recover…not just a list, though…I focused on how great each of those experiences will feel.

You have found a wonderful group of supportive, knowledgeable and genuinely amazing people.  While it is not a "club" any of us would otherwise choose, I know I am thankful for each and every one of us on here.  All the best for good scan results!!!

Jacki

This is fascintaing to me.  I just had my first PET/CT less than two weeks ago.  Other than fasting for six hours, no one advised me of a particular diet to follow.  I did understand how the scan works to the extent that if my glucose levels were too high prior to the test, it would be postponed.  So, for the few days prior to my test, I avoided processed sugar mostly.  Not sure if it helped, but figured it made sense.

Hang in there.  The test is not bad at all, mostly boring for me.  During the "relaxation" time, I wasn't even allowed to read a book.  Be prepared to be alone with your thoughts.  I made a mental list of the things I will be doing after I recover…not just a list, though…I focused on how great each of those experiences will feel.

You have found a wonderful group of supportive, knowledgeable and genuinely amazing people.  While it is not a "club" any of us would otherwise choose, I know I am thankful for each and every one of us on here.  All the best for good scan results!!!

Jacki

My instructions did not restrict diet either but to be safe I did the low carb diet, if you really feel you need a specific list follow an Atkins diet  for the dinner before you scan and beyond.  You can find that on the internet.  It is basically Protein and Veggies, No sugar , No Bread, No Rice, etc.

Mary

Stage 3

My instructions did not restrict diet either but to be safe I did the low carb diet, if you really feel you need a specific list follow an Atkins diet  for the dinner before you scan and beyond.  You can find that on the internet.  It is basically Protein and Veggies, No sugar , No Bread, No Rice, etc.

Mary

Stage 3

My imaging center provides these instructions for preparing for a PET/CT.  I think every imaging center has slightly different rules/recommendations.

1) No exercise for 48-hrs prior to the test

2) A high protein/low carbohydrate diet for the day before the test.  (Limit bread, sugar, starches, and pasta)

3) Do not eat 5 hours prior to the exam. This includes gum or  mints. If on TPN, this must also be stopped 5 hours prior to the exam.

4) You may drink water only.

5) Take all routine medications.  However, if you are diabetic, NO INSULIN 6 hours before your test.

6) Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothes.  (I'm always required to remove any metal, including my watch, earrings, and rings.  However, they've never made me remove my underwire bra – seems like a contradiction to me!)

As far as diet recommendations, the first time I got my prep sheet, I immediately thought "Atkins Diet, induction phase".  The Atkins diet is high protein, low carbohydrate, and the induction phase is the most stringent part of the diet.  That should give you a good list of dos/don'ts for food items.

My imaging center provides these instructions for preparing for a PET/CT.  I think every imaging center has slightly different rules/recommendations.

1) No exercise for 48-hrs prior to the test

2) A high protein/low carbohydrate diet for the day before the test.  (Limit bread, sugar, starches, and pasta)

3) Do not eat 5 hours prior to the exam. This includes gum or  mints. If on TPN, this must also be stopped 5 hours prior to the exam.

4) You may drink water only.

5) Take all routine medications.  However, if you are diabetic, NO INSULIN 6 hours before your test.

6) Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothes.  (I'm always required to remove any metal, including my watch, earrings, and rings.  However, they've never made me remove my underwire bra – seems like a contradiction to me!)

As far as diet recommendations, the first time I got my prep sheet, I immediately thought "Atkins Diet, induction phase".  The Atkins diet is high protein, low carbohydrate, and the induction phase is the most stringent part of the diet.  That should give you a good list of dos/don'ts for food items.

The day before should be low carb, no sugars.

So.. all meats are okay, beef, chicken (I always roast a whole chicken the night before that so I can nibble on it the day before and have it for lunch) lamb, fish, turkey. Leafy green veggies are great, like spinich, eggs are okay.

avoid fruits and juices, and carbs, so no pasta, rice, potatoes or bread, no dairy products either

Drink a lot of water, this will help when it comes time for them to insert the IV and help with those potato chip cravings (NO potato chips!!)

good luck!

The day before should be low carb, no sugars.

So.. all meats are okay, beef, chicken (I always roast a whole chicken the night before that so I can nibble on it the day before and have it for lunch) lamb, fish, turkey. Leafy green veggies are great, like spinich, eggs are okay.

avoid fruits and juices, and carbs, so no pasta, rice, potatoes or bread, no dairy products either

Drink a lot of water, this will help when it comes time for them to insert the IV and help with those potato chip cravings (NO potato chips!!)

good luck!

My instructions have been to not eat 4 hours before. And I must drink 20 ounces of water before. They actually give me a schedule.  Otherwise no instructions.  Each place is different. Call your hospital and ask for their specific instructions.  

They always take my sugar levels before the test.  To be safe I don't eat sugar the day before or strenuous excercise – but I don't usually do that anyway! lol

Good luck,  I have now had 21 PET scans (I think I glow)

Linda

My instructions have been to not eat 4 hours before. And I must drink 20 ounces of water before. They actually give me a schedule.  Otherwise no instructions.  Each place is different. Call your hospital and ask for their specific instructions.  

They always take my sugar levels before the test.  To be safe I don't eat sugar the day before or strenuous excercise – but I don't usually do that anyway! lol

Good luck,  I have now had 21 PET scans (I think I glow)

Linda