CT scans

[CathyA]

Now they're finally telling us that ct scans are just a hell of a lot of radiation. I have had probably at least 10 of them in my life (probably mostly because of my generalized fibromyalgia symptoms).
But....I have had them to my head for sinus and migraine problems maybe 6 times. And once, after having the scan, the tech comes in and tells me there was a problem and she has to do it again.
No wonder I can't think straight! My brain is probably fried.
I wonder why it took them so long to come out with the truth of the unhealthy amount of radiation in ct scans?

Also.......my BIL has had cancer they've been fighting for 20 years, and he gets tons of ct scans.....probably 1 every month or 2. I wonder which is worse for him?

I know MRIs don't give you the same info as a ct scan, but at least it's a no-radiation test which gives some info.

I also had radium treatments to my sinuses when I was 8. I can only hope the doc was a quack and there wasn't any real radium.

[bae]

Is there some new information out that concerns you?

What dose levels?

[sweetana3]

I look at it as a positive invention. They, the doctors, dont need to do as much guessing and dont have to cut you open to find out a whole lot of information.

So add that to the balance of maybe more radiation and the potential that it MIGHT cause a secondary issue.

I also view this a lot like the vaccine argument. You can always say no but you have to take responsibility for the results too. It is not the doctor's fault if they listen to you, dont do a CAT scan, and therefore miss something.

[sweetana3]

Here is a good article with detailed info:

http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130531/Mayo-Clinic-experts-provide-some-insight-about-radiation-dose-from-CT-imaging.aspx

[CathyA]

Thanks for that link sweetana.

I have seen lots of doctors over the years, and there seem to be a lot of ones that don't have much of a good clinical judgement about things. Unfortunately, too many rely on tests, tests, and more tests. I think that's why I had so many. Fortunately, I have a doc now who has great clinical judgement. And also......many patients feel like they must have those tests, "to know for sure" about something.

Maybe there's more talk about the risks with ct scans because they are being used so much all the time now. It's almost like getting a blood test.......but more risk involved.
I agree that you have to consider the risks and if knowing the results will end up helping you more than the risk of the radiation.
In my case, with all those ct scans I've had, they were only useful in the sinus ones.........after which I had surgeries. (Oh.....and the one right before my appendix came out!).