PET scan (what to expect)

I had my PET Scan today.  I realize most doctors and hospitals don't tell you everything until it occurs, so I thought I'd go through the steps of a PET Scan for anyone wondering what it entails.

1.  You go into a room with "mood lighting" with a bed or chair inside.  The room may also have a camera.

2.  They run through your medications and allergies, like every appointment.

3.  Your glucose level is checked with a drop of blood.  If it is below 200, the next step begins.  (I don't know what they do if it's not.)

4.  An IV is started, just a regular one.  You are left to sit or lie still for about fifteen minutes.

5.  Glucose stuff is put into your IV line.  You must continue to sit or lie still... completely still*... until the Nuclear Med person comes to get you.  This takes about an hour.

6.  The IV is removed (lucky you!) and you are instructed to use the bathroom.  The glucose stuff will settle in the urine and light up, creating a difficult (or even false) indicator on the scan. So, go if possible.

7.  You are put on the machine's table and strapped in.  There is positioning that goes on (they use a light guide so you'll have to close your eyes for a bit).  They sometimes use pillows for your head, legs, and hands to rest upon so being stationary is more tolerable.  Once they get you where they need you, do not move!  For around a half an hour, different parts of you are scanned, painlessly.  Unlike a CT scan, you don't have to hold your breath at any point.

8.  Finished!

*Not moving is tremendously important during the IV because used muscles attract the glucose solution (much like the full bladder will) and create fake readings.