Got my ct scan today

[mollyfin]

I went in feeling pretty good, since these are faster than MRIs and less intimidating. When I got the contrast, I got that "peed yourself" feeling but it was super intense, moreso than usual, and was localized to the bladder area. And after the scan the tech said "good luck with everything, hon" which made me wonder what the hell she saw.

I hate that I'm so fragile that every little thing sends me into a panic. I mean, I'm also pissed because I'd gotten my anxiety beaten back over the last few days, but I guess it was pretty unstable since this was all it took to bring it back. It triggered me because the ONLY other time anyone I know has gotten wished "good luck" by a tech after a test result was when a mass was found on my mother's ovary that everyone was assuming was cancer. Luckily it wasn't, but that was the start of the worst time of my life. Unfortunately, knowing where it comes from isn't helping me be more rational.

I'm also just anxious about what was seen. My biggest fear is an incidental ovarian finding (...guess why) but I don't especially want bladder or kidney cancer either.

 

[Fraser]

How long until you get your results?
Here's a similar thread:

Radiologist wishes me good luck- should I worry? - buzzle.ca

So about a month or so ago I found a lump in my back. I thought it might have been a knot but lately it feels like it has been getting bigger. It's slightly bulging now so I went to the doctor's to get an ultrasound. The ultrasound came back inconclu

buzzle.ca

Long story short: there's a reason tech's aren't allowed to tell you results. They don't really know because they aren't qualified. "Good luck" is just the kind of thing you say to someone who undergoes a test.

 

[mollyfin]

Thursday I have an appointment with the doctor to go over them.

 

[Fraser]

Thursday I have an appointment with the doctor to go over them.

That's a decent turnaround. So let us know where you land on Thursday.

 

[Jennifer]

Maybe for someone without HA that would be a nice, friendly comment but to those of us with HA? Not so much.

Glad the wait is not long for you.

 

[blueberries]

They always say "good luck" to me. I can understand how you might feel a little spooked (it spooks me a little too when the say it to me) because you only heard of good luck being said one other time. I believe it's a common thing for them to say, simply because they don't know what else to say and they are trying to be friendly. It's in the same category as "have a nice day." Instead of looking at it as they said it when a mass was found on your mother, you could think that they said it when a benign mass was found on your mother. I'm glad to hear your mother's mass was benign and I hope the same for you.

 

[mollyfin]

True, even if a tech saw something it could turn out to be nothing. Techs who have done their jobs well for a long time are EXTREMELY knowledgeable and develop a good feeling for things that are and aren't dangerous, but they don't have superpowers either.

But if it turns out to be nothing I think I might contact the hospital and suggest maybe their techs change it to something more along the lines of "feel better!"

 

[mollyfin]

Apparently my results came in at 9 this morning...my scan was at like 6 pm yesterday. The speed there scares me. Going to try and discuss them with my GP tomorrow (I think it's probably best I don't look myself).

 

[Fraser]

Apparently my results came in at 9 this morning...my scan was at like 6 pm yesterday. The speed there scares me. Going to try and discuss them with my GP tomorrow (I think it's probably best I don't look myself).

But your follow up to discuss the results was already booked for Thursday... no? So it makes sense the doctor would get them in advance to also look at them and read the radiologist's report. Your turn around was already fast.

Also, are your results available to you? Like could you just open them up online and look at them if you wanted to?

 

[mollyfin]

Indeed I could, but I've learned my lesson there - no matter what it says I will freak out, so some things are best left to professionals.

 

[mollyfin]

Well, I played myself yet again. My doctor couldn't access the scan report on his own computer, so I needed to send it to him.

According to the doctor, my results are fine, I don't need to worry. According to me, however, the finding of "mesenteric panniculitis" with enlarged lymph nodes is terrifying because while benign itself it's commonly associated with lymphoma and other cancers (15-69% of the time depending on who you ask). The visible organs on the test are all fine, but lymphoma can lurk anywhere; does it even show up on a ct scan? This is also a rare finding but especially rare in people my age, so...what's causing it? Etc.

I'm a little fed up because if I'd just had him tell me what it said, it would've been fine. He generally just tells me if there's anything worrisome or if I'm asking about specific symptoms what's causing them. But...no, of course, I had to give it to him and my damn speedreading skills got me in the end.

I know it's no one's fault but my own, but I'm still probably going to mope about it for a bit. I see the urologist tomorrow (all those organs showed up clear) so I'll get his input as well even though it's not his area of expertise. I just wish I weren't so easily obsessed with the what-ifs and could just take the doctor's word for it.

 

[Cuchculan]

According to the doctor, my results are fine, I don't need to worry. According to me, however, the finding of "mesenteric panniculitis" with enlarged lymph nodes is terrifying because while benign itself it's commonly associated with lymphoma and other cancers (15-69% of the time depending on who you ask).

You must have been reading up on this. Such big words. Not the sort of words just anybody would know. Imesenteric Panniculitis. Get a lot of points in scrabble for those words alone. But I would ask who the doctor is here? You get a good answer from your doctor and suddenly it is like you change roles. You now become the doctor. Just to keep the fact that you need something to be wrong. Even after you are told there is nothing wrong. So as long as you keep going that way, you will always keep thinking there is something seriously wrong with you.

 

[Jennifer]

cuchculan - so very well put.

Molly what are you going to do today to help yourself move past this ?

 

[Fraser]

So I didn't want to say this before, because I didn't want to add to your stress, but the tech saying "Good luck" after a scan is 100% NOT ******* OKAY. You should absolutely call, mention what was said, and how this affected you. Even a person without HA might be reasonably perturbed by that kind of expression.

According to the doctor, my results are fine, I don't need to worry. According to me, however...

Aaaaand there it is.

 

[Izthewiz]

I went in feeling pretty good, since these are faster than MRIs and less intimidating. When I got the contrast, I got that "peed yourself" feeling but it was super intense, moreso than usual, and was localized to the bladder area. And after the scan the tech said "good luck with everything, hon" which made me wonder what the hell she saw.

I hate that I'm so fragile that every little thing sends me into a panic. I mean, I'm also pissed because I'd gotten my anxiety beaten back over the last few days, but I guess it was pretty unstable since this was all it took to bring it back. It triggered me because the ONLY other time anyone I know has gotten wished "good luck" by a tech after a test result was when a mass was found on my mother's ovary that everyone was assuming was cancer. Luckily it wasn't, but that was the start of the worst time of my life. Unfortunately, knowing where it comes from isn't helping me be more rational.

I'm also just anxious about what was seen. My biggest fear is an incidental ovarian finding (...guess why) but I don't especially want bladder or kidney cancer either.

Sorry you're going thru this.
But a radiologist tech doesn't really know how to read those scans they go to a radiologist who is a MD/medical doctor and has 4 years of additional training in radiology.
I have had 2 CT scans 2 years ago and can tell you worry is not your friend.
You need to get the thought of cancer out of your mind it ate me alive for almost 2 years I had consistent urge to urinate 24/7 and burning with Pelvic pain.
Google said uti or cancer i was cleared of uti by ua tests so I told myself cancer, boy was I wrong i had pelvic floor dysfunction brought on by stress and Anxiety.
On the bright side 2/3 of people never get cancer.
That feeling of contrast made me feel like peeing the table and I'm a guy.

What are you having CT scans for?

 

[bigjetplane2]

So I didn't want to say this before, because I didn't want to add to your stress, but the tech saying "Good luck" after a scan is 100% NOT ******* OKAY. You should absolutely call, mention what was said, and how this affected you. Even a person without HA might be reasonably perturbed by that kind of expression.


Aaaaand there it is.

When you say “not ok” do you mean A) something was found B) not acceptable and shouldn’t have been said.

 

[bin_tenn]

When you say “not ok” do you mean A) something was found B) not acceptable and shouldn’t have been said.

I read it as the second, that it's not okay that the tech said what they did.

 

[Cuchculan]

It was what the tech said. As a rule they are meant to say nothing. As they are not your doctor. One thing best of luck before they do a scan, but even at that, they hardly ever even say that. To say something after a scan is not right. Makes it look like the tech has seen something. Can put fear in your mind. Have had a few scans done over the years and the most the tech ever said was hello and goodbye. Or if there was a way to wanted you to stand or face this direction or that direction. That is all they should be saying.

 

[mollyfin]

What are you having CT scans for?

Painful bladder and bloody...idk, stuff? in my pee (not really sure what it is but that part seems to have gone away), and no infection. Apparently everyone over 35 gets a CT for this from the urologist I was referred to. I was a bit surprised by that.

 

[Izthewiz]

Painful bladder and bloody...idk, stuff? in my pee (not really sure what it is but that part seems to have gone away), and no infection. Apparently everyone over 35 gets a CT for this from the urologist I was referred to. I was a bit surprised by that.

I have been to urology also.
Painful bladder can be caused by a hypertonic pelvic floor.
If you suffer from stress/Anxiety ibs , straining it can cause this.