› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Increased side effects of CT scans over time? Scan Toxicity
- This topic has 21 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 11 months ago by
Kim41.
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- May 22, 2012 at 11:21 pm
Hi All,
I'm on what I think is a fairly heavy CT scan rate of every 60 days, and have noticed that over time the CT scans are causing a "hangover" effect almost akin to when I was on Interferon.
Drinking the barium is no problem, the injection of contrast causes the normal heat flush and odd taste/smell. Then as the day progresses I feel worse and worse despite drinking 56+ ounces of water during the afternoon.
Anyone else out there have the same experience?
Hi All,
I'm on what I think is a fairly heavy CT scan rate of every 60 days, and have noticed that over time the CT scans are causing a "hangover" effect almost akin to when I was on Interferon.
Drinking the barium is no problem, the injection of contrast causes the normal heat flush and odd taste/smell. Then as the day progresses I feel worse and worse despite drinking 56+ ounces of water during the afternoon.
Anyone else out there have the same experience?
- Replies
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- May 22, 2012 at 11:50 pm
I have a similar side effect from scans, I was on a 90 day schedule. I am also allergic to iodine. I am given three different meds so I can tolerate the iodine. I am no sure if it's the iodine or something else but I just generally feel like crap for about 24 hours. For me it wasn't cumulative, it has been happening from my first scan.
You might do a little home skin test and see if you react to something with iodine in it. That can be a dangerous allergy and it is a cumulative (probably not right term) allergy.
Good Luck,
Mary
Stage 3
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- May 22, 2012 at 11:50 pm
I have a similar side effect from scans, I was on a 90 day schedule. I am also allergic to iodine. I am given three different meds so I can tolerate the iodine. I am no sure if it's the iodine or something else but I just generally feel like crap for about 24 hours. For me it wasn't cumulative, it has been happening from my first scan.
You might do a little home skin test and see if you react to something with iodine in it. That can be a dangerous allergy and it is a cumulative (probably not right term) allergy.
Good Luck,
Mary
Stage 3
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- May 22, 2012 at 11:50 pm
I have a similar side effect from scans, I was on a 90 day schedule. I am also allergic to iodine. I am given three different meds so I can tolerate the iodine. I am no sure if it's the iodine or something else but I just generally feel like crap for about 24 hours. For me it wasn't cumulative, it has been happening from my first scan.
You might do a little home skin test and see if you react to something with iodine in it. That can be a dangerous allergy and it is a cumulative (probably not right term) allergy.
Good Luck,
Mary
Stage 3
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- May 23, 2012 at 12:33 am
I have gone through periods when I had a flu like syndrome after my scans. Sometimes it is worse than others, some cycles it doesn't happen at all! For me, the number of scans didn't correlate with increased problems, it just seemed random.
Eileen L
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- May 23, 2012 at 12:33 am
I have gone through periods when I had a flu like syndrome after my scans. Sometimes it is worse than others, some cycles it doesn't happen at all! For me, the number of scans didn't correlate with increased problems, it just seemed random.
Eileen L
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- May 23, 2012 at 12:33 am
I have gone through periods when I had a flu like syndrome after my scans. Sometimes it is worse than others, some cycles it doesn't happen at all! For me, the number of scans didn't correlate with increased problems, it just seemed random.
Eileen L
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- May 23, 2012 at 2:00 am
I would say "Poo".
You failed to mention why you are on a CT schedule of every 60 days (which many, but not me, would like to be on).
So, are you bragging or complaining?
Ya know, no one can force another to get medical care. So, if you don't like the care you are getting then just stop. Just say no.
Frankly, from what you describe, strikes me as more of a coping issue based upon a lack of knowledge of purpose.
Yeah, yeah, yeah…………..so my opinion is not popular.
WHY are you getting the scans and WHY are you not saying this to your doctor and WHY have you not had an answer from them?
My suggestion? Buy a mirror, look in it, ask these questions of yourself and then ask your doctors.
FYI, I've probably had in excess of over 100 radiological studies; maybe closer to 200.
TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ., if you don't talk to them, they will not talk to you.
Charlie S
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- May 23, 2012 at 2:00 am
I would say "Poo".
You failed to mention why you are on a CT schedule of every 60 days (which many, but not me, would like to be on).
So, are you bragging or complaining?
Ya know, no one can force another to get medical care. So, if you don't like the care you are getting then just stop. Just say no.
Frankly, from what you describe, strikes me as more of a coping issue based upon a lack of knowledge of purpose.
Yeah, yeah, yeah…………..so my opinion is not popular.
WHY are you getting the scans and WHY are you not saying this to your doctor and WHY have you not had an answer from them?
My suggestion? Buy a mirror, look in it, ask these questions of yourself and then ask your doctors.
FYI, I've probably had in excess of over 100 radiological studies; maybe closer to 200.
TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ., if you don't talk to them, they will not talk to you.
Charlie S
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- May 23, 2012 at 2:00 am
I would say "Poo".
You failed to mention why you are on a CT schedule of every 60 days (which many, but not me, would like to be on).
So, are you bragging or complaining?
Ya know, no one can force another to get medical care. So, if you don't like the care you are getting then just stop. Just say no.
Frankly, from what you describe, strikes me as more of a coping issue based upon a lack of knowledge of purpose.
Yeah, yeah, yeah…………..so my opinion is not popular.
WHY are you getting the scans and WHY are you not saying this to your doctor and WHY have you not had an answer from them?
My suggestion? Buy a mirror, look in it, ask these questions of yourself and then ask your doctors.
FYI, I've probably had in excess of over 100 radiological studies; maybe closer to 200.
TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ., if you don't talk to them, they will not talk to you.
Charlie S
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- May 23, 2012 at 10:16 pm
Mary, Eileen – Thank you.
Met with the Doctor's today and they shrugged off a CT having a negative effect. Which given online research isn't surprising. A friend whose a Doctor did confirm that an iodine alergy can definate occur over time.
Charlie – I do hope the little venting helped you in some way. At the time of posting, the "why" of the CT scans did not seem to be relevant to the question I asked nor do I see it as anything but a stated fact void of emotion. Since you asked, the frequency is tied to the protocol required by the research study I'm on (listed in my profile).
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- May 25, 2012 at 12:52 am
Let me be clear…………I don't vent; I share my experience and observations; and yes sometimes that means slappling people upside the head so as to make them think.for their own good while challenging suppositions. You are no exception..
Melanoma is patient specific. So far, in your explanation, you are not.
WHAT is you scan type and schedule. WHY is it something you agreed to. And WHAT protocol requires it? And WHAT are the scans expected to measure? And HOW do the scan results measure your future choice of treatment?
What stage are you. What have you done up to this point.
I assure you, the WHY of anything in regards to melanoma is always relevant.
Don't assume people are going to take the time to read your profile; much the same as when you first meet a new doctor.
State your concern, why it is relevant. where you are and where you want to go.
Cheers,
Charlie S
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- May 25, 2012 at 12:52 am
Let me be clear…………I don't vent; I share my experience and observations; and yes sometimes that means slappling people upside the head so as to make them think.for their own good while challenging suppositions. You are no exception..
Melanoma is patient specific. So far, in your explanation, you are not.
WHAT is you scan type and schedule. WHY is it something you agreed to. And WHAT protocol requires it? And WHAT are the scans expected to measure? And HOW do the scan results measure your future choice of treatment?
What stage are you. What have you done up to this point.
I assure you, the WHY of anything in regards to melanoma is always relevant.
Don't assume people are going to take the time to read your profile; much the same as when you first meet a new doctor.
State your concern, why it is relevant. where you are and where you want to go.
Cheers,
Charlie S
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- May 25, 2012 at 12:52 am
Let me be clear…………I don't vent; I share my experience and observations; and yes sometimes that means slappling people upside the head so as to make them think.for their own good while challenging suppositions. You are no exception..
Melanoma is patient specific. So far, in your explanation, you are not.
WHAT is you scan type and schedule. WHY is it something you agreed to. And WHAT protocol requires it? And WHAT are the scans expected to measure? And HOW do the scan results measure your future choice of treatment?
What stage are you. What have you done up to this point.
I assure you, the WHY of anything in regards to melanoma is always relevant.
Don't assume people are going to take the time to read your profile; much the same as when you first meet a new doctor.
State your concern, why it is relevant. where you are and where you want to go.
Cheers,
Charlie S
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- May 23, 2012 at 10:16 pm
Mary, Eileen – Thank you.
Met with the Doctor's today and they shrugged off a CT having a negative effect. Which given online research isn't surprising. A friend whose a Doctor did confirm that an iodine alergy can definate occur over time.
Charlie – I do hope the little venting helped you in some way. At the time of posting, the "why" of the CT scans did not seem to be relevant to the question I asked nor do I see it as anything but a stated fact void of emotion. Since you asked, the frequency is tied to the protocol required by the research study I'm on (listed in my profile).
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- May 23, 2012 at 10:16 pm
Mary, Eileen – Thank you.
Met with the Doctor's today and they shrugged off a CT having a negative effect. Which given online research isn't surprising. A friend whose a Doctor did confirm that an iodine alergy can definate occur over time.
Charlie – I do hope the little venting helped you in some way. At the time of posting, the "why" of the CT scans did not seem to be relevant to the question I asked nor do I see it as anything but a stated fact void of emotion. Since you asked, the frequency is tied to the protocol required by the research study I'm on (listed in my profile).
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- May 24, 2012 at 10:38 pm
Hi,
I get scanned every 12 weeks and have done so for almost 8 years now. Haven't experienced a hangover feeling, but I've noticed over the last 3 sets of scans that post-scans I've been increasingly tired and most definitely having some upset stomach, etc that I hadn't had before.
I've questioned my Onc about the frequency and have decided to start pushing back to get scanned less frequently. I'm not actively taking any trial or prescription treatments now and I've been NED for a couple years now.
Hang in there!
Rocco – IV since 2005; ipi-responder since 2009
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- May 24, 2012 at 10:38 pm
Hi,
I get scanned every 12 weeks and have done so for almost 8 years now. Haven't experienced a hangover feeling, but I've noticed over the last 3 sets of scans that post-scans I've been increasingly tired and most definitely having some upset stomach, etc that I hadn't had before.
I've questioned my Onc about the frequency and have decided to start pushing back to get scanned less frequently. I'm not actively taking any trial or prescription treatments now and I've been NED for a couple years now.
Hang in there!
Rocco – IV since 2005; ipi-responder since 2009
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- May 24, 2012 at 10:38 pm
Hi,
I get scanned every 12 weeks and have done so for almost 8 years now. Haven't experienced a hangover feeling, but I've noticed over the last 3 sets of scans that post-scans I've been increasingly tired and most definitely having some upset stomach, etc that I hadn't had before.
I've questioned my Onc about the frequency and have decided to start pushing back to get scanned less frequently. I'm not actively taking any trial or prescription treatments now and I've been NED for a couple years now.
Hang in there!
Rocco – IV since 2005; ipi-responder since 2009
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- May 28, 2012 at 3:59 am
I just had my 3rd PET/CT scan last week and I too have noticed that my arms ache and feel very weak for several days after my scans. I even mentioned this to my husband that I always feel this way after scans. I guess it could possibly be a slight reaction to the contrast they use. I was a little concerned about it myself. Not sure I was of any help to you though. Good luck with your trial.
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- May 28, 2012 at 3:59 am
I just had my 3rd PET/CT scan last week and I too have noticed that my arms ache and feel very weak for several days after my scans. I even mentioned this to my husband that I always feel this way after scans. I guess it could possibly be a slight reaction to the contrast they use. I was a little concerned about it myself. Not sure I was of any help to you though. Good luck with your trial.
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- May 28, 2012 at 3:59 am
I just had my 3rd PET/CT scan last week and I too have noticed that my arms ache and feel very weak for several days after my scans. I even mentioned this to my husband that I always feel this way after scans. I guess it could possibly be a slight reaction to the contrast they use. I was a little concerned about it myself. Not sure I was of any help to you though. Good luck with your trial.
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