Scan Medical Insurance

PET Scan Question?

I have to have a full body PET Scan. 1. Do I have to take out all of my piercings? 2. How long will this take? 3. Is this a claustrophobic scan like an MRI? My doctor asked me if I would like an ambien pill prescription, I said no but Im claustrophobic and saw that some scans can last as long as 90 minutes. *meant to say valium prescription for the scan

Public Comments

1. Hi, my guess for your first question would be yes. I'm not sure how long it will take or if it's like a MRI but if your doctor offered you valium my GUESS would be yes. I too have claustrophobia, my doctor ordered a brain MRI for me and 3 days ago I went to the hospital to have it done...well there was no way I was getting in that MRI machine so they said I'd have to reschedule and have my doctor give me valium. After seeing that closed MRI scanner I didn't want to go back there even with valium so I searched on the internet and found a place with a open MRI scanner and had it done there yesterday, they even let my mom sit in there beside me. I admit right after they slid me in I was still a little scared even tho the sides were open but I told him to just give me a minute and the scaredness went away. I jus keep telling myself "this is alot better than that closed MRI machine" and I got threw it fine. The hardest part for me was not being able to move for 45 minutes. If you move it'll take longer so I kept telling myself that too so I could get it over with. If you have claustrophonia tho I really recommend finding a open MRI scanner. Best of luck to you!