Cat scan | Arthritis Information

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I am scheduled for a cat scan.  My physician is pretty insistent.  She thinks I have diverticulitis.

 
I am concerned about the amount of radiation and actually refused the first time much to her annoyance.
 
I went back with continuing pain and agreed to the scan.  Now, of course, the pain is abating.
 
I know this isn't an arthritis question, but I know many of you have had lots of procedures and I'd appreciate your input.
 
I don't think I've had more than 1 or 2 cat scans previously.
 
Thanks!
 
Dotty
  
Hi Dotty

I've had several cat scans... for a multitude of issues...

It's not bad at all as far as tests go.. Not invasive so there's no pain...
You just lie there while you have your area in question scanned. ..

My opinion is that finding out about your diverticulitis and having that treated so you feel better would outweigh having a little bit of radiation for a short period of time.

I hope you find out your issue and have it treated... Diverticulitis is painful!!

I hope you get well soon
I've had numerous cat scans over the past year.  2 for the jaw leading up to the first surgery-I'll have another for the jaw next month leading up to stage two of the jaw surgery.  I've also had 2 others for the lungs to see the progression of my lung issues. 
 
Yes it's a lot of radiation, but if it is necessary for a diagnosis-then you should do it.  Or I should say that I would do it.
 
Dotty, your other choice might be seeing a gastro guy and having a colonoscopy.  If you have never been screened before, this might be a good time and you could kill two birds with one stone.

I've had multiple CT scans for lung issues, my PD used to do them once a year after my pleural effusions.  I don't know how much radiation that translates to, but he now reserves doing a CT for really big issues - which, seems to me, you have.

When my son was knocked out in a soccer game-the ER doc equated 1 CT scan to 500 chest xrays. rocckyd2010-06-12 18:42:14 Thanks for your replies.  I'm not in much pain and wonder if I complained too much, but guess I will bite the bullet and go for it!   Thanks again! [QUOTE=rocckyd]When my son was knocked out in a soccer game-the ER doc equated 1 CT scan to 500 check xrays.[/QUOTE]

yes.. I've read that it's anywhere from 30 times to over 400 times the radiation of a chest xray... which are very quick..

if I really need it.. I would have it done.



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