I Regret Having a CT Scan. Have You Had One?

Honey, you had ONE CT scan. The risk associated with this is basically zero.

I'm going to be a statistics nerd for about five sentences, and then I'm going to go back to talking about you. So please bear with me. Okay. The link between CT scans and cancer is very weak. Yes, across the population, there's a higher incidence of cancer among people who have had CT scans, but people who've had CT scans, in the aggregate, have more health problems than people who haven't. Otherwise they wouldn't need CT scans. And you can't go around giving medical tests to people who don't need them, because that's unethical. The few studies that do control for other health problems (mostly involving medical professionals who administer CT scans) indicate a tiny uptick after daily exposure to low-level radiation for years, and even then, the increase in cancer rates in this population is under 1 percent, and it could be attributable to the fact that medical professionals seek out and get good medical care, so if they have cancer, it gets *caught.*

Bottom line is? That CT scan didn't do you any harm. Your risk of getting cancer is the exact same as it was before.

What you do have is an issue with anxiety. And that needs to be treated. You have a preschooler, and he needs a calm mom. There is nothing wrong with this. I've taken anti-anxiety meds in the past, and I may take them again. It's just something that many people -- most people, over the course of a lifetime -- have to do from time to time.

I can't tell you what the origin of your respiratory issues are, but I can tell you that the *pattern* the doctor followed was very ethical. That's what doctors are supposed to do: eliminate the worst-case scenario first, then eliminate the next-to-worst-case scenario, and so on. Otherwise, doctors would just run around saying "Oh, you're fine. It's just anxiety. Just take two aspirins and call me in the morning." That's patronizing, and sooner or later, a doctor who does that is going to miss something serious. You can't risk NOT testing for the serious things, just in case.

I understand that she was brusque, and she may not be the right doctor for you. I try to stay away from the brusque type myself. But you haven't been exposed to any harm. Now that you've had that one test, you know you don't have this serious problem. That's one LESS thing to worry about.

I don't blame the doctor for ordering this. You act like EVERYTHING that's wrong with you is caused by anxiety. When you asked for anxiety medicine, THAT'S the kicker. Without knowing if there is a physical cause for this, you are trying to medicate yourself with meds that are potentially habit forming. She can see it as clear as the nose on your face.

It's a doctor's JOB to try to determine what is causing a problem. Breathing problems are NOT to taken lightly. Differential diagnoses have to be ruled out, and doing diagnostic tests are how this is done. You're lucky she let you go home in the first place.

Of course you went home and immediately scoured the internet for everything bad about CT scans. That's part of your anxiety. So now you're going to convince yourself that as a mom of a preschooler, you're going to get cancer because of a CT scan and not be around to see him grow up.

You need to get a grip. Next time you can't breathe, you can tell the doctor that they have a CT scan on file showing that you have normal lungs when this is happening. Then they will know that there is a PRECEDENT for your breathing problems.

What your doctor should have told you, in my opinion, is to go to a psychiatrist and try to figure out why you're so "nervous" before you affect your child with your "nervousness". You need more than a regular doctor to manage your anxiety before you have your family walking on eggshells.

By the way, it's not your doctor's job to treat you based on "She knows I'm kind of a nervous person". For some reason you think you know more about medicine than she does ("shouldn't it be the other way around?") You didn't go to medical school.

If you don't want diagnostic tests done, sign the AMA form and go home. Then her butt is covered if you get worse. When you end up in the ER and they have to do more tests, it will cost even more money.

Instead of this relentless fretting you're doing about CT radiation, think about the stress you're putting your body through with your "nervousness" and anxiety, and what your family has to go through when you're focused on all that ails you and what might ail you and the physical problems this causes you, which THEY have to deal with too.

Am I being tough on you? YES. You don't need anyone saying "poor you". You need someone to tell you that you have something WRONG with you that needs to be addressed and part of that is getting the physical part ruled out before turning to the psycological part. Pull your bootstraps up and stop being a worry wart and nervous nelly. Just DO it. The next time this happens, you might end up passing out and wrecking you car or not able to supervise your child in public. Instead of incessant worry, GO GET HELP.

Don't take this the wrong way but you need another pill to calm yourself from feeling hot and lightheaded. Yes, this seems like it was all an anxiety attack, however, you went to the doctor and took a test. One CT scan is not a big deal. CT scans are an important tool. In your case, you were very lucky - you're fine.

I've had 4 CT scans in my life. One to rule out bladder issues and 3 within a 10 day period when my large colon perforated. Sure, I didn't want to have THREE scans. But I had no choice. Now I am better.

Out of curiosity, are you seeing a therapist? Talking helps heal anxiety big time!!

Feel better. Go and do something fun and relaxing with your son. Maybe a movie - that will take your mind off of things for a bit.

with your update.
Ok, I am now going to be firm with you.
Your reaction was over the top. There is no reason for you to have reacted this way. Adults do not have these reactions this is considered out of the spectrum.

Our daughter suffered with severe asthma as a child and even she did not act like this.
Seek a therapist. No more excuses.

Pills are great, but you need to see a therapist on a regular basis to learn to recognize an episode.

You need the therapist to help you with some techniques to avoid getting into a state like this and how to get control of yourself if you end up in this state again. If you are already in therapy, may be time to add more visits closer together for just a little while,

And L., this is not a one time thing. This is your life, so you need to learn to recognize the signs. You need to learn to ask for help. And you need to educate yourself about solutions.

As moms, we need to be at our best at all times, it ends up being most times.. . Our children are very aware. They see, hear and feel everything.

And so you need to learn to ask for help, the moment you begin to slide into these feelings.

I am sending you strength! You can do this!

I would have more anxiety about the cost of the CT, than the radiation.

I have had several CT and MRIs. I did not worry about cancer down the road. I was worried about living then and now.

I'm going to give tough love here - you need to get a grip. I would recommend a new PCP and a good therapist for your anxiety disorder.

Your reactions to all of this is not typical and you seem to be focusing in on this "coping with the knowledge that your risk of cancer down the road has increased..." Ah, no that is not what most people think, sorry.

Next, you could have declined the CT. I have gone against medical advice before and I'm not dead. Doctors are service providers. If you don't like the service they are providing find another one. We all have free will and we all can make our own decisions and choices. You made the choice and had the CT scan. Trust me, you aren't going to glow in the dark.

I think more than the scan, you need to evaluate how you take care of your health, including your mental health. You seem to be very worried about the radiation more than happy that the scan revealed you are normal. Further, if you cannot communicate with your GP, feel heard, and feel understood, you should find a new practice or a doctor you can relate to. I understand that it is not always easy (I've had my share of duds) but having a good relationship with your practitioner is important.

Do you regret more the CT scan or the way everything went down with the doctor? I have to wonder if you are fixating on the scan because you are really unhappy with your healthcare provider.

If you continue to be depressed and anxious, please find a good mental health provider for treatment. You should not rely on your GP for periodic medication if you have a long-term problem with anxiety and depression. I suspect you are feeling extra symptoms as part of an anxiety attack and not related to the scan itself.

You are blowing this WAY out of proportion. I suggest that if you're working with someone on your anxiety, you should talk it over with him or her to get some much needed perspective. If you're not currently working with someone on your anxiety, perhaps that would be a good idea.

Yes I have had CT scans, one was when I was pregnant with twins, as a surrogate. It was a terrible decision to have to make given that I was pregnant with someone else's children. The intended parents were away, celebrating the mom's birthday. I had to call them from an ER and ask them if they would be OK with getting the CT scan. I was in the ER because I had gone to see my doc about a nagging cough and something made her decide to do an EKG, which was abnormal. I went to the ER and was low in potassium, calcium and magnesium, which explained the abnormal EKG. That said, they wanted to do a CT scan to rule out a PE. All signs pointed to NOT having a clot, but they really didn't want to be responsible for a 34-year-old woman pregnant with someone else's kids going home and dropping dead. Of course there was no clot and after a few hours of getting electrolytes, I was sent home. Were they being a bit aggressive? Sure. Do I regret the choice? No. The babies were fine, I'm fine, and it's not something I'm going to worry about.

Honestly, the stress that you're putting yourself through worrying about this is worse for your health than the radiation. You're fine...let it go and I hope you feel better soon!

Geez! I've had several CT scans and researched safety. I didn't find any scientific evidence indicating danger from radiation. You are NOT at risk for cancer down the road. Where did you find your information?

I've never had any symptoms after a CT scan. In your research did you find those symptoms listed for after a scan? I suggest your symptoms are caused by your anxiety.

I suggest you focus on finding a way to reduce your anxiety. Start by trusting your doctor. I suggest she eventually acted this way because your anxiety was causing you to become difficult to talk with. Her words and demeanor were not helpful. Consider, however, that she was frustrated and didn't know how to reassure you. Consider how much time she'd spent talking with you over two appointments and how you were unsure, asking questions, showing extreme anxiety. Eventually you said no but probably still feeling anxious. I'm guessing she may have then felt that if you didn't have the scan and something was wrong you would blame her. She needed to protect herself from a lawsuit.

I suggest she even suggested the scan because of your anxiety. It is unusual to order a scan for the symptoms you wrote. And that she's not skilled in talking with an overly anxious patient. I suggest you consider finding a doctor who can help you manage your anxiety. You must want to worry less and enjoy life more. You can make that happen.

After your SWH: the reason I suggest that this is not just anxiety over difficulty breathing is your extreme reaction to having had the scan. Now you're so concerned about cancer that you wish you hadn't had the test. You seem unable to let the whole thing go.

I wonder if you're afraid to admit to having a mental health issue. Only recently have we as a society been able to understand and effectively treat such issues. I have anxiety and depression. As a young adult I was unaware that I could be less worried and happier. I thought the way I felt was normal. I'm so very glad I got treatment. My life is much better after a combination of medication and talk therapy.

BTW I've had cancer and am cancer free for 10 years. Cancer is no longer always a death sentence. Mine wasn't even very difficult to treat. It was a blip in my long life. If I'd worried about getting cancer I would've spent more time being anxious than I did dealing with it once I was diagnosed.

I will add that my cancer was in a lung. It was found with an xray given to diagnose pneumonia. I'm glad I trusted my doctor and had the xray. The CT scans came after the diagnosis so no they weren't the cause.

I had a specific form of cancer, carcinoid, which is caused by a systematic hormone imbalance. Nothing I did or did not do caused the cancer. It is pointless to worry about the possibility of cancer.

I wouldn't want an unnecessary CT scan either, but chest CT is equivalent to 15% the maximum yearly dose permitted for a US radiation worker. So it's not going to make you get a third arm or cancer or anything.

As far as the doctor recommending a CT scan, they will usually practice CYA* medicine due to the threat of malpractice lawsuits. Unnecessary CT scans cost them nothing, a one-in-million missed diagnosis can cost them everything.

To be honest, I agree with the answers that suggest you try to get help for the anxiety. It isn't normal to be so concerned over a cold, or a CT scan. It has to be exhausting to worry so much as well.

*Cover Your Arse

You are asking how people cope with the levels of radiation they have received from a CT Scan. I know this is not the answer you're looking for, but most people are not at all concerned so they have no reason to try and cope. They simply recognize that the levels received are actually very minimal.

You feel the test was unnecessary, but your doctor thought it was. You kind of have to decide whether or not you're going to trust doctors. I know they're not perfect, but I do tend to trust doctors. I mean, they went to med school and I didn't. Med school ain't a walk in the park, so if they graduated med school and are currently practicing, they must know something I don't.

But honestly, how do you cope? You remind yourself that what's done is done. You cannot change the past. But you can choose to live in the here and now. Dwelling on a CT Scan that's over and done is not living.

ETA - "SHE was the one to even come up with the scary scenario in the first place." Well, yes, that's her job. It's her job to think of all the possible scenarios, decide which ones are likely scenarios and weigh the possibility of them happening. If she didn't think there was enough of a possibility to justify it to your insurance company, she wouldn't have done it. If there was enough reason to justify it to your insurance company, there was enough reason to do the test. Sometimes it's very important to rule things out.

"deep inside both the doctor and I already kind of knew to be true". That's actually not true. Neither one of you could possibly know without the test. Yes your doctor said "probably," but she couldn't be certain without the test. If doctors had another way of checking, they wouldn't need the CT Scan. That's like a woman saying she just knows in her heart that she's pregnant or that she's having a girl. Well you can "know it in your heart" all you want, but that doesn't make it so.

Wow. Take a deep breath, slow down, and stop googling about CT scans. You doctor did what most doctors would do, she ruled out the potentially deadly problem that could be giving you breathing problems. Your reaction to this is completely over the top, you need to find a counselor to help you to deal with your anxiety. Go to a PCP and they will treat you for physical problems (with CTs, labs, etc), go to a counselor to deal with anxiety issues. If you didn't want the CT, why would going AMA threat bother you? That simply resolves her of responsibility if you did have a PE.

If you were gasping from a cold then she ct'd the wrong part of your anatomy. Should have looked at your sinuses for opacification, rather than embolism, in my opinion.

Be thankful your ct scan was negative. You'll probably get cancer from your computer, tablet, cell phone, microwave, etc before you do from this ONE scan.

Get some treatment for your anxiety disorder.

I agree with every single word Doris Day said.

I have had a CT scan, multiple x-rays, a few MRIs, etc. I worry more about something in my home (like cleaning products or chemicals on my food or radiation coming from my computer or even books) or outside (like pollution) causing me cancer.

You need to focus on your child and get yourself to a psychiatrist or your child is going to grow up with a mentally unstable mother. You don't want that! Please, please do something to deal with this anxiety. It can eat away at your health. I would worry more about that killing me down the road than I would cancer.

First and foremost, you need to start seeing a Doctor and getting treated for your anxiety. Your anxiety level over your congestion was not normal. I think you know that. Now, your anxiety level over this CT scan you had, is also consuming you. This is not normal. People have CT scans all the time. There are many, many more things, and things we probably don't even know about yet, that contribute to cancer. No you don't want to have CT scans weekly or anything. But one in your whole life will not hurt you.

I think the doctor either talked to her colleagues and had a change of heart, OR- she is actually trying to teach you a lesson about your anxiety and hypochondria. If you go in for big scares, you get the big scare treatment.

Anyway, you need to start working on the root of the problem, which is anxiety. It is common, there are many who deal with it, many doctors who treat it well; and think of how much happier you could be if you were less anxious.

Just to chime in also, my 10 year old was born with hydrocephalus, has had over 10 brain surgeries before the age of 4! He has had CT scans more than I can count, 3 MRIs and countless x-rays. My 5 year old had an eye infection that went to his brain. He too had 2 CT scans AND while I was preggo with my second child I had to have 4 fetal MRIs. SO yes I worry everyday about my kids and I but I choose to think positively and go on. Also all that helped to save my kids lives and helped the docs make the right decisions on their healthcare. I don't regret it but I do worry.
PS...Both my boys are perfectly healthy kids. Knock on wood.

Stress and anxiety are life robbers. They rob you of the present long before cancer will take over your future. Please get help with your anxiety. I promise you lots of illnesses (including cancer) are fueled by negativity and worry.

Your life is a gift. Yours to do with what you choose. When I get anxious I try to serve others. When I take the focus off me, it helps a lot. My sister is a yoga instructor and there are direct health effects of learning how to deep breathe. A doctor who takes her classes said if his patients followed her breathing practices he knew they would be healthier for it.

Please don't allow yourself to be held captive by what might happen in the future. Live your life well, love people deeply and laugh. Laughter is also one of the best healers.

You can look up natural ways to rid your body of radiation. I know seaweed supplements and iodine are recommended. That way you can feel good that your taking steps to help your body healthfully regain balance.

Blessings!
L.

A therapist can help you with the worry and anxiety, and hopefully give you the skills you need to stand up for yourself when it comes asserting yourself in the future.
I mean honestly, you went in to the clinic, stood in line, waited to be called, willingly went back. Why didn't you just say, I don't need this and walk out the door?
THAT is the real issue here. Why WEREN'T you courageous? (your words, not mine)
Only therapy can help you figure that out.

I don't have one worry about my CT scan or the one on my son.

You can learn a lot about someone by what they write here.
If your post were read by a therapist, a psychiatrist, or your doc, they would probably all agree that your main problem is anxiety.

Your PCP can do nothing right for you because it's hard to distinguish between physical shortness of breath and psychologically induced shortness of breath. She is responsible for your life so she must make a judgement call based on what she sees. When you go to medical school, you can make the call.

What's really funny is that, with your anxiety running your life, if you were a physician, you would probably CT scan everybody who walked in because you would automatically assume the worst.

Anxiety makes your judgement poor at best. If you want to be the best example for your family, get help.

i too am concerned about wanton levels of radiation, and don't run blithely from test to test.
that being said, i feel for your doctor. you sound like a very high-maintenance patient. i mean, why go at all when you already have your own diagnoses figured out?
it seems extremely unlikely to me that your doctor was being all winky one day, then stern and inflexible the next. she actually sounds exasperated. and i don't blame her.
i suggest you move on and perhaps consider some therapy. the stress from now deciding that you're going to get cancer down the road from this one test (the test you cornered the doctor into giving you) is going to affect your health far more adversely than anything this test could do.
khairete
S.

You need a new doctor Hon.
As far as the CT scan I have had a few. and MRI's, easier said than done, but try not to look too much into it. You're stressing yourself for nothing!
Start looking for a new Family Practitioner.

I think your doctor was just covering her butt by ordering the ct scan. Unneeded expensive test but if you didn't have it done and it turned out to be a clot she could have been sued.

People have CT scans over and over and over through out their lives. Stop making this a big deal.

Your doc wanted you to have it, I've had them and hated every second of it, going in I knew I was going to hate it. But I wanted to live a long time and didn't want to suffocate to death from something wrong with my lungs.

One of my friends was having congestion, coughing, and a very hard time breathing for some time. She finally broke down and went to the ER to get some antibiotics. They did a CT scan because they thought there "might" be something else going on.

She had a growth in her lungs about the size and shape of a banana, get that???? About 8 inches long and shaped like a banana. She could have died from this. They gave her very intense meds and she's fine now. Still smoking but otherwise fine.

She'd likely be dead by now if she hadn't given in and had that CT scan. They save lives. Thank goodness you didn't have a life threatening situation going on inside.

If you had a problem it would have shown up. Now you can rest assured you don't have lung cancer, growths in your lungs, infection, or a blood clot plus tons more things they can see with a CT scan.

I do not agree with the "tough love" advice although I do think you suffer from anxiety (but I am no doctor). If you truly suffer from anxiety, you cannot "simply" get over it any more than I can "simply" squint harder and solve my nearsightedness.
I do agree with the need for a new PCP, one that will listen to you and not talk down to you. My PCP presents everything as recommendations even when I am in pain, and if I were ever to refuse treatment I am sure she would simply ask me to sign some kind of waiver in a very professional and kind manner, perhaps re-stressing the possible consequences, pro and con.
Check your health care provider's card for "mental health benefits" and if you have them, there should be a list you can get of recommended providers for the type of issue you believe you have (i.e. categories like generalized anxiety, social anxiety, OCD, etc).
Mental and physical health are closely intertwined as you have experienced. Being anxious can have physical reactions and physical things (foods, meds, vitamins, etc.) can have nervous system reactions. I am allergic to MSG, ephedrine products (in decongestants), certain ingredients in multi-vitamins and all fake sugars (like aspartame). All basically give me anxiety: sweaty palms, fast breathing, headache, irregular heartbeat, sometimes a rash.
It might help to keep a log of all you eat and drink and note any reactions for a week or 2 before going to see a new doctor.
But most of all: stop getting your medical info from the internet, especially since your anxiety seems to just make you dwell on all the negatives.
Anxiety is mostly treated with anti-depressants since anti-anxiety meds are highly habit forming. But only a psychiatrist can determine what the best approach would be, and often it is a combination of therapy and medication.
Consider yourself (((hugged))).

I don't *think* I've ever had a CT scan but my son has. And I have had multiple MRIs. I'm not a huge fan of mainstream medicine myself.

That being said, at this point you are compounding whatever "damage" was done (if any, and there may be no consequence whatsoever) by worrying so much. The stress is bad for your health.

You can't undo it (not that it was even a "bad" thing to start with). Learn from this experience with your doctor and then let it go.

JMO.

A CT Scan is not a big deal at all! If you were having several of these each year, I'd be talking to your doctor about the risks vs. the benefits. But one CT Scan in your lifetime is nothing. Really!!!

I'd be willing to bet that the symptoms you are experiencing are symptoms of anxiety and not the CT Scan.

I have had several CT Scans (with contrast) in the past 10 years. I get kidney stones, and this is the easiest and safest way for my doctor to gain the knowledge he needs to help me. I have never experienced any of the symptoms you described.

If I were you, I would talk to my doctor again. Describe all your symptoms and your fears. It's very possible she could refer you to someone who could help you better deal with your anxiety. Your fears are completely out of proportion with the dangers of a CT Scan. Please call your doctor.

I live in a part of the country where breathing the air on a daily basis increases your risk of cancer. I've had CT's, MRI's, and dye studies. I really don't worry about getting cancer later. I worry about doing what it takes to feel better now.

Sounds to me like you should look for a new doctor - one who doesn't immediately jump to the worst case scenario, and who respects YOUR insight into YOUR body.

Probably your stress and anxiety are much worse for your body. Perhaps you should see a therapist who specializes in anxiety? It might really help you. Plus you don't want to affect your child if you are this anxious over things that involve him/her. I hope you are feeling less anxious about this now.

I hear your fear and understand. I grew up near three mile island site of the worst nuclear disaster in the US. We were evacuated during the crisis. I get it.

That said a CT really isn't that bad. If you had one routinely for many years, yes. Take a deep breath ( if you can). It is going to be ok.

Furthermore, there is no way to undo the CT so focusing on the future instead of the past is probably a healthier approach.

If I were in your shoes, see someone about your anxiety and work on feeling better. I know when I am sick everything feels worse. The physical drain has an emotional toll on me.

I hope this helps you. Feel better!

Just wondering how you got the results of your scan immediately after having the test? Radiologists read those tests and they seldom have those results in less than 3 days unless it's a wet or stat read in serious cases.