CT scan

Thank you all for your replies. I have had a word with one of my cancer nurses who explained by putting arms above head gives better images so they are going to arrange for extra pillows so that I can try and rest my arms and will have pain killers beforehand.

i had this problem when i needed a scan, before i went into the scan room i said i could not do that, i can put my arms out straight or at my sides, she said no, so i said please explain to the surgeon why i did not have the scan and i will also contact the nurse dealing with me, i did have the scan and the doctor said it was fine. i have had more than 15 scans and mri's in the past 7 years for cancers including dye (iodine) ...yuck and most staff are okay if you explain. if it is going to cause you pain and upset then tell them you can't do it, usually they will find another way.

The radiographer will ask you to raise your arms above your head as this gives the best images. If you are unable to do this or can only manage one arm let them know. Nobody is forcing patients to do anything they’re not comfortable with.

Why not just say 'No' and refuse to lift your arm?

Did you have anyone with you? The problem is that even if you do, they get left in the waiting room when you get taken in.

Sometimes it's worth traveling a bit further to a different hospital. There are two in my region and the radiography department is significantly better in one than the other!

I think it sounds like the technician was uncaring and not trained properly. In my case, with the first MRI, they told me this was the only way it could be done even though I said the positioning aids were too painful for me to keep that position. And were awful when I couldn't tolerate it. After a formal complaint, and when I got my second scan at a different hospital, there was indeed a different way it could be done that didn't cause me pain. There will be a way round it and they shouldn't make you do something you can't do.

If it is absolutely necessary and is going to cause that much pain then you should be offered anaesthetic.

I think the problem is that there are some areas that cannot be scanned well unless you have an arm above your head.

You could try asking if it is possible for then to place a pillow under your arm to support it, but there again that might interfere with the scan.

Ask the doctor referring you to state clearly in a letter to the dept. that you cannot hold your arm in the required position for as long as is necessary, or at all, as the case may be.

But I think you will be told that you simply must have your arm in that position.

I do sympathise with you Tiley as I have exactly the same CT scans every 6 months (for the last 4 years). My most recent scan was this week. However, in my case I am usually offered a pillow to rest my arms/hands on and this does help. I only have to lie with hands above head for a few minutes and then I am able to lie with arms by my side. Admittedly, I don't have a great deal of pain most of the time when raising my arms but there was one occasion when it was agony after I had hurt my shoulder so I can imagine how you felt. I can only suggest that you ask your GP to prescribe a painkiller or anti inflammatory before your next scan. Sending you a (gentle!)hug.

I too have regular scans and have a rotator cuff problem with my shoulder. Depending on the technician I have left mine by my side or they lift my arm as far as they can without hurting me and put a support wedge underneath it so it rests out of the way during the scan.

Morning! I hope you are feeling a little better now. When I’ve had a scan twice before I was told to rest my arms at the side of my body, which was snug but I should imagine is much more comfortable. I also had a pillow under my knees which is better too. I have seen scanners where you can sit and the scanner moves around you but I should imagine these are cutting edge. It might be worth contacting your consultant or PALS to find a more comfortable and compassionate way for you to be treated .

I have had breast cancer surgery and my LHS and a severely fractured right shoulder with a total reverse replacement on my RHS. I cannot lift this arm above my head thus any scans or treatments e.g. radiotherapy, staff have to take this into account. During my treatments the radiologists actually made me something to hold onto so my arm would stay by my side.... the right therapists will help but we do need to explain.

They should try to make you as comfortable as possible - but they don't, they rush things sometimes. Eg offer a pillow to support your arms. Assume you take strong painkillers first? (I did but the pain was caused by some plastic shaper things they used which I said I couldn't tolerate. A CT scan shouldn't be painful though.

Complain! And ask to have your scan at a different hospital next time - if there's another one in the area. I had a similar uncaring experience with an MRI scan, and was in so much pain I had to press the buzzer - and then got told off! And they abandoned the scan. I cried for a few hours. But I did write and complain that the technician didn't listen, rushed, and manhandled me and caused me pain and asked for an apology and a new scan appointment at the larger regional hospital. Which I got very quickly. You need to write a formal complaint letter. I also asked for them to retrain the radiography department as this was my second similar experience in that department. I used this guide to write a formal letter - it helped a lot to structure it.

I'm so sorry - it is really awful.

www.netlawman.co.uk/ia/complaints-letters

There are ways round it....I remember having radiotherapy and ladies who couldn't lift their arm were accommodated....speak to pals

I had a full spine MRI yesterday - it took nearly an hour. But I was due a bit of a sleep! The young member of staff had quite a difficult accent to understand. He got me to take my hearing aids out, put in ear plugs and then gave me headphones to dampen the sound in the scanner. He then kept talking to me and trying to give me instructions!!! I kept saying I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!! - and he seemed surprised!

Maybe there's something about CT scan operators' personalities. I had to have a scan before my hip replacement and the silent man just tied my toes together without warning and went behind his screen. I didn't know what to expect or when it was over or if he would help to untie my toes. Horrible wee person!

Thank you crazyh. Unfortunately I seem to have the same technician every time.

The last time I had a scan was 10 years ago. Since then, I have developed shoulder problems and I can honestly say, I would never be able to do it now. What an uncaring technician you had ! I’m sure there will be ways to work round that. Someone here will know. Good luck !