Pet Scan

[Linda]

hi ladies,
I have a question. I was just scheduled to have a PET scan. Wasn't sure if I'd even be able to get one because I'm very new to my health care insurance and I'm paying out of pocket for it. It's very hard to get ahold of my onc since she's so busy, so I'd like to ask you guys. It's pretty basic and I'm embarrassed to even ask it.....
Does the PET scan do the whole body and the brain? I have incredible pain in my right hip. Will it show anything wrong with the bones as well? Would I need to do a brain MRI or is the PET enough? I'm not covered for herceptin since I've been out for awhile, so I told my onc I'd like yearly scans instead.
thanks everyone!

[kristen]

Hi Linda,

The PET does the body from the jaw down to the toes or to the knees, I believe. I think they stopped mine at the knees. An MRI is recommended for the brain. They should be able to see your hips. Good luck.

[Linda]

thanks for responding. i knew I'd get an answer faster than my onc! By chance, do you know how much an MRI for the brain costs? I may have to pay out of pocket.
cheers,

[StephN]

If your onc has ordered the PET scan, you should be able to get a pre-authorization from your insurance and they SHOULD pay for it. Seems like you qualify for the scan with your history and if the onc is cooperative the order will be written in such a way that it is covered.

Just hoping to save you a couple of dollars! I am sure it would be a good use of your money if they won't cover it.

Also a couple of questions.
Have you had tumor markers drawn to see what can be learned from your bloodwork??
Have you had a bone scan? This should be less costly than a PET.

Best wishes for a negative scan.

[michele u]

Linda,

a pet scan can go from top of head to toes. Ask them to go to top of head. pet will show bone mets, but i don't think it will show a very small spot like a bone scan will show. It will show a big tumor in the brain, but then again it won't show a small spot in the brain. A mri is better for looking for brain mets.

[Linda]

I just had my 3 month checkup and my marker read a 10 which is great and another reading of .7. the onc told me over the phone which test is was but now I don't remember. However, I do know that it's not 100%. I've read a few instances on this site where women have found spots without any symptoms which really concerns me. Since I'm not covered for herceptin, I'd like to get scanned just for peace of mind. I just want to be proactive until the 5yr. mark is up, then I can relax "abit". As far as the insurance, I've been told I'm under a spotlight since I'm new with them and have a history of cancer. I went through a broker and he advised me not to do too many scans that shows I'm spending alot until I've been with them for at least 6 months. That's why I'd like to pay for some out of pocket. He really battled for me. It wasn't easy finding an affordable PPO for someone with bc. My diagnosis was 12/03 stage2a, er,pr,her2+ 1.8 tumor, 1 sentinel node +.
THANK YOU for your responses. It's so great we have this forum. I have faith in my onc. but sometimes it's like I'm a car going to the mechanic.
cheers everyone!

[Linda]

Oh yeah, forgot to answer the other question. I've had incredible joint pain. Especially the right hip. About 4 months ago, I had a bone scan done that came back negative so my rad onc went ahead and scheduled an MRI for the hips to see if the scan missed something. That, as well, came back negative. My onc said I could have developed arthritis from the taxotere. I had the TAC treatment. All three together for 6 cycles. My hip pain has gotten progressively worse to the point where I can't sleep on my right side. I should mention I'm on tamoxifen. All this makes me nervous but I don't want to run to the oncs about this every 3 months! We'll see what the pet scan shows.
Does anyone else have really bad joint pain? or been diagnosed with arthritis?

Linda

[Lolly]

Linda, have you had a Bone Mineral Density scan? This is a standard exam for anyone who's in the menopausal years, either naturally or chemo-induced, to measure bone loss due to depleted estrogen production. I have had one annually since treatment for primary disease in '99, due to left hip and lower back pain caused by deteriorating bones from said lack of estrogen. My condition is called osteopenia, or pre-osteoporosis....There are medications to slow or halt the bone loss, so talk to your Primary Care about this issue. It shouldn't raise any red flags with your insurance company as this is standard "Women's Exam" stuff, and it may just settle the question of the hip pain.

[Linda]

Lolly,

Thanks! will deffinately mention the bone density scan to my onc.
cheers, Linda

[Cheryl E]

Linda,

I had hip joint pain following my AC/T treatment. My onc. also thought it was chemo induced arthritis, but sent me to an orthopedist to be sure. The ortho ordered xrays and a hip MRI all of which was normal. Yearly bone scan was also normal. the pain finally went away with regular exercise. If I skip moderae exercise for 2 days it starts to hurt again. Overall, all my joints get very stiff without regular excercise.

Cheryl

[mickey]

I, too had right hip pain following ACT. It turned out to be nothing. and went away.