There are a number of reasons that your doctor may recommend that you have a PET CT scan in Riverhead NY. No matter the reason there are certain instructions they will provide you to prepare for the scan and likely some questions you have about what to expect during and after the scan.
Preparing for the PET/CT Scan
Your doctor will provide you with specific instructions regarding how to prepare for the scan; however, some generalized information you should know is found here.
You should not eat anything six hours before your appointment. You can drink as much unsweetened, black tea and coffee, diet soft drinks and water as you want. It is not necessary that you have a full bladder for the scan and you can continue to take any type of medication you have been prescribed or that you take over-the-counter.
Before the scan you will be provided a hospital gown to change into and be required to remove any jewelry that you may be wearing. There are some patients who will be prescribed medication to help and relax the muscles that are around the shoulders and neck to ensure a clear image is achieved.
What to Expect During the PET/CT Scan?
You will be injected with a radioactive tracer. Once it is absorbed by your body, then you will be ready for the actual scan. Prior to the scan you will have to empty your bladder completely.
During the PET CT scan you will by lying on your back and images will be collected for a period that is between 30 and 90 minutes. The scanning process is not really that noisy, but there will likely be some background sounds from the computers that are being used.
What to Expect After the PET/CT Scan?
After completion of the scan, you can go back to your normal day to day activities. You can drink or whatever you desire and do what you want. It is important that you stay away from small children so that you do not expose them to any unnecessary radiation. The tracer that is used will not cause any type of side effects. It will not make you drowsy at all, which means you will be fine to drive after the scan.
The results that are gathered from the scan will be sent to the doctor who recommended the test, who will then be responsible for giving you the outcome.
If your doctor has recommended that you get a PET CT in Riverhead NY, contact North Fork Radiology to schedule an appointment.
