Arthritis in spine & abdomial scans

gretta

I saw a while ago a topic by someone who had to have a scan & they had arthritis in their spine. I have tried to find it by going back through all the posts but not found it. The person was worried because he or she could not lie on their back without great discomfort to their spine. Now I find myself in the same position because I have to go for an abdominal scan this coming Friday. Does anyone have any solutions to this problem because I am really worried about having it.

dreamdaisy

Hi gretta, have you considered contacting the unit where you are due to have the scan and talking through your concerns with them? They are the people to give you help, information and advice regarding the procedure: whoever posted the thread you looked for may not be about in time to help you! I tried doing a search on your behalf, using a number of different phrases, but I don't think the relevant thread appeared. Sorry. I wish you well. DD

gretta

Hi dreamdaisy
Thanks for the suggestion. I tried doing that when I got the letter. The lady I spoke to said she would talk to someone about it & ring me back but so far she hasn't done so. Maybe being so busy it has been forgotten about, perhaps I should ring them again.

dreamdaisy

I think one thing I have learned over all the years of hospital appointments etc is this: never expect people to do what they say they will. I know that I am only one amongst many the departments deal with on a daily basis and, needless to say, my concerns vanish in the morass of general humanity! Yes, ring them back, repeatedly if necessary, until you get to speak to someone that can help. I hope someone can. DD

tjt6768

Hi Gretta, I am not sure if it was my post you were thinking of, I know I posted on here not long ago about having an ultra sound scan on my abdomen, I have OA in my spine, and although it was painful afterwards I did manage to get through it. The girl was very understanding when I explained and took her time and allowed me to do the same when trying to move..
As I said, not sure if it was my post but hope that this helps a little.?


Hope that you go on ok, don't feel bad about telling them your concerns.

Tony

gretta

Thanks Tony
It probably was your post. Thanks for telling me how you got on. Dreamdaisy I am going to ring them again in the morning.

skezier

Hi Greta,

They do everything they can to get you as comfortable a possible...unfortunately its not comfy at all but its not for long and there are such good results from the scan....

I hope it goes well and just tell them you have trouble laid on your back. Nice to meet you as well Cris x

frogmorton

Oh good luck

I hope you acn get as comfy as poss.

Would you be allowed to have a wheatbag tucked underneath you? probably not, but worth asking. I was allowed a cushion under my knees for my MRI.

Love

Toni xx

dreamdaisy

Keep chasing gretta, list any questions you have so that when you do talk to someone your mind doesn't go blank! DD

tjt6768

You're welcome Gretta, hope it goes ok.
Let us know. I still haven't been to my GP for the results of mine yet but they haven't called me in so that must be a good thing. I had had about 6 abnormal blood tests come back which is why the scan was arranged. My ALT level was raised.. Don't know too much about it, I think my albumin was raised on one of them too.. I know that all the Dihydrocodiene I was taking for approximately 12 years can't have done the old liver any good, but staying positive. I go to the GP's friday anyway for some steroid injections in my knees, will ask then.

Tony

gretta

Thanks everyone for all your good advice. The scan went very well thank goodness. Fortunately for me the device could be raised at the head end to a level that was comfortable to lie back on & the base itself was padded. The Doctor found while she was doing the probe that I have gallstones. Don't know what is going to happen about those, my Doctor gets the report back from the Hospital in about a weeks time. She has already got the results of some blood tests that were done. Anybody got any advice on gallstones.
Tony hope you got a good report from your Doctor yesterday about the result of your scan.

tjt6768

Hi Gretta, glad you went on ok, hope they get the stones sorted for you.
I saw a different Doctor yesterday so I didn't ask about the results, think I will wait till next week, try to see my usual GP.
Injections I had went ok though..

Tony

gretta

Update.
Got a call from my Doctor's surgery this morning at 8.30 to go in & see my Doctor. Had to be there for 8.50. What a rush. Turns out I have gallstones & I have to have my gallbladder removed. Says I may not be able to have the keyhole surgery one as the stones are too big, may have to have the bigger operation. Has anyone had any experience of this operation.

tjt6768

Sorry to hear that Gretta, not the news you were hoping for I'm sure, lets hope that there IS a chance of keyhole eh?


Tony

gretta

Thanks Tony
Hope you have got the result of your scan by now.

dorcas

Hi Gretta

sorry I missed your post. :oops:

I'm glad you've had the scan results... and that you now know what's been causing the pain. :!:

I had the 'traditional' open surgery op 20 yrs ago... long before keyhole surgery :roll:

The op is straight forward enough.... but it is still classed as major abdominal surgery so you will feel pretty tired for a few weeks after.. so make sure you have plenty of help around :!:
From what I remember it took me about six weeks to recover with no complications whatsoever!

Iris xxx

gretta

Thanks Dorcas. That is useful information. Hoping for the keyhole surgery if possible, but it looks more like I will have the big op. Think it is because I got obstructive jaundice & itching with the last bout of gallstone trouble because the stones are big.

jackie1955

Hi Gretta, Sorry I'm a bit late posting, I have had my gallstones/bladder removed via laparascopy (keyhole) surgery. Weren't sure whether they would be able to do it that way as I was a bit overweight, but when I woke up from the op they had done it Had it done early in the morning, and late in the afternoon the consultant came to see me and said I could go home! I said I would prefer to stay overnight for my own peace of mind, and he said thats fine. Came home next day, took things easy for a few days, and was fine.

My older sister had hers removed a couple of years prior to me, but she could not have keyhole, so had to 'be cut open' as she put it :!: She did have some discomfort after (as you would expect really) but nothing unbearable She had to stay in hospital for about a week, and took a bit of time off work while her body recovered. But she was fine and quite enjoyed the whole experience - she thought the staff were lovely and caring, and it was great being looked after AND she enjoyed the meals!

Hope this helps a bit.

Jackie x

gretta

Thanks Jackie for that. You have made me feel a lot better about the operation, even if I have to have the big one. Still hoping to have the laparascopy & trying to lose a bit of weight so I can have that one. Have lost 10lbs so far. It is the thought of the big one that is scary but your sister seems to have done okay. You have really cheered me up.

Gretta