I was scheduled for my first post treatment PET/CT scan and the pre scan instructions were: no food 4 hours before scan, no caffine and no strenous excercise 24 hours before scan. I arrived for the scan chewing gum, the one relief I get for dry mouth. They would not do the scan due to the chewing gum since the activity of the jaw muscles would distort the PET scan results, so it was rescheduled. Be sure that you take nothing for granted and ask the dumbest questions you can ask. This can only save you time, but more importantly, a distorted scan.

Good advice, thank you.

Sorry you had to reschedule tho.

Margaret

bobster

While I got explicit instructions not to chew gum, I am glad you only had to reschedule without a penalty. While you can search the forum as this topic has come up many times, here is a quick do and don't list for your next PetScan

� 24 hours prior to your appointment:

o Refrain from consuming any caffeine, including any decaffeinated products for 24 hours prior to your exam. Note: Decaffeinated products still contain small amounts of caffeine.

� 12 hours prior to your appointment:

o Stay on a low-carbohydrate diet. (See guide on what to eat.)
o Do NOT engage in any strenuous exercise.
o Do NOT chew gum.
o Avoid mints.

� 6 hours prior to your appointment:

o Do NOT eat anything.
o Drink several glasses of water (2-6).
o Take any prescribed medications as usual.
o If you need to eat, please stick to a small protein-only meal.

� Low-Carbohydrate Diet Guide

Foods allowed: Protein
All meats
Hard cheeses
Unsweetened peanut butter
Tofu
Eggs
Oil, margarine, butter
Non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli and spinach

Foods NOT Allowed: Carbohydrates
Cereal
Pasta
Dry beans
Fruit and fruit juices
Sugar and candy
Starchy vegetables, such as peas, corn and potatoes
Alcohol
Bread
Rice
Gravy
Jams and jellies
Honey
Milk (including non-dairy milk)
Coffee or tea

Good luck and don't worry too much about you PETScan results , as many as 1 in 4 are false positives. (Or in my case, 2 out of 4).
Charm

Thanks Charm, I will pass this along to the RO nurse.
Bobster

I just completed a PET on 10/22...my instructions were a little less complicated.

I was told no eating or drinking after midnight the night before, I could have a little water, but that was all.

I really missed my moring coffee, but what are you going to do?

I'm no expert. By the way, my Aunt lives in Fayetteville....

Good luck.
Barry.

My instruction sheet is similar to Charms:

How to Prepare for your PET Exam
� DAY BEFORE YOUR EXAM

1. Patient should eat a low carbohydrate diet.
2. Patient is not to engage in strenuous activity or exercise. If job is not too labor extensive, the patient may go.

� DAY OF TEST

1. No food 6 hours prior to test.
2. No caffeine or nicotine products 5 hours prior to test.
3. No diuretics the day of the test (water pills, lasix). Take all other medications as normal.
4. No gum chewing, no hard candy, and no breath mints the day of the test.
5. Drink 16-24 oz. of water prior to test.
6. Drink plenty of fluid after the test to flush out the system.
7. Wear comfortable clothing. Room temperature is approximately 72 degrees.
� PET/CT sites � NO METAL ON CLOTHING
8. Test takes 45-90 minutes. Total time is 2 hours.

....
It continues with special instructions for diabetics

Thanks to all,
I had my rescheduled PET/CT scan and the results are negative, that is 'all clear'. Praise God.

Bob, congrats on the great results!!!!

GREAT NEWS Bob!!