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please help me I am so upset and scared to death! TOO MANY CT SCANS!!!

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 5/7/2015 11:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hi All, I am a 33 year old girl who four years ago had an inflammed parotid gland. (it was there for 4 years before but because my sister scared me that I never actually got it checked I ran to the doctor). I had a CT of the head and neck with and without contrast. Didn't think much of it and moved on with my life. (Just so you know the same doctor ordered a PET scan too, which looking back I cannot believe, it just makes me so angry.)

In January I started suffering from episodes of headaches and lightheadedness. After the doctor told me its all anxiety related (I had two MRIs that were negative) he told me why dont you have a CTA its a cool procedure and you can see how the blood flows through your head. Thinking that I needed it to be done I went ahead and got it. I came across an article the other day about radiation exposure and I searched how much radiation is in a CTA and I have been having anxiety attacks. They are the equivalent of 7 head CT SCANS!!! OMG just the though of it makes me want to vomit. I cant believe he wouldn't tell me. This is so evil. I feel like going back to his office and telling him off, that is so not right to do to your patients. I spoke to another neurologist who couldn't believe he ordered such a test.

Please help me I need someone to talk to abotu this. I feel like my life is doomed. I look at my daughter and cry thinking that in a couple of years I will be stricken with cancer because of such a stupid choice I made. It breaks my heart and I can't get over it.
Posted 5/7/2015 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
I think you could have checked about the radiation before the tests.
You can actually go back to his office and tell him how concerned you are about the radiation. He should be able to explain it to you.
Posted 5/7/2015 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks I am goign to do that, but I feel like I have caused irreversible damage that is goign to doom me.
Posted 5/7/2015 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hi LMD and welcome.

I am sorry that you are feeling so worried about the possibilities that are uncertain to you in regards to your tests.

Please know that you have had a reasonable amount of exposure, and what is considered safe in the medical community...with the CT and CTA.

Try not to worry about the 'what ifs' and consult with a radiologist if you truly can't shake the anxiety in this regards. They will likely be able to put your mind at ease...and you will get much more definitive information than you will from google searching!

We have some good tools in our Resources here (see link below) that may help you with these worries...

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206

The therapy worksheet downloads are especially helpful in dealing with persistent thoughts/worries.

The general stress relieving exercises are great as well.

Keep talking with us if you find it helpful. We understand how it feels to be frightened...and are here to encourage you anytime.:)

Scaredy Cat

Posted 5/7/2015 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for being so kind. I just really feel doomed and I am so upset with the neurologist, I just cant believe would order something like a CTA without thinking of the negative consequences it could have on me in the future. I just can't get over it. I feel so doomed, I just keep thinking about my daughter and how the big bad wolf will hunt me down in 10 years.
Posted 5/7/2015 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
LMD,

Have you dealt with any health anxiety issues before this? Could this in a way be connected to the worries you surely have concerning what you are going through with your dad?

I am wondering, if after consulting with a radiologist for reassurance...

...if you are still struggling with health related fears...

If you might benefit from talking with someone, and perhaps going through a CBT program for the anxiety? It has helped so many...myself included.

Just some thoughts and suggestions to keep on deck. There is hope and help to feel better!

S.C.
Posted 5/8/2015 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for responding. No I don't think it is related. I think I just Google too much. Its an obsession in a weird way it calms me down even though what I read online terrifies me.

I have convinced myself that in 10 years i will get either thyroid C or leukemia from these scans. I know I am blowing this out of proportion, but its scary that I can't reverse it.

It scares me to death
Posted 5/8/2015 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

I had the same fears with CT scans and refused to get one. They did MRI instead.

I also stress out about xrays - had 3 chest xrays in the last 6 months, and a foot xray.

I realise that its not too bad - a trip around the world in a plane exposes you to a lot of radiation, but I worry also that the radiologist has put the settings too high and I'm going to cook. I read about the Therac machine 15 years ago back in high school, and have had such a massive fear of any scans now.

But anyway, you need to realise that there is nothing you can do to change it now, so talk to your neuro and make a plan to check that everything is going ok for you at regular intervals. It should give you some peace of mind.
Posted 5/9/2015 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
How many ct scans have you done in a year?
Posted 5/9/2015 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
I don't care what dr. google says, you are in no danger, radiation has a half life it starts to get weaker the
minute you get off the table, the sun is more dangerous than your treatments. What i think i am reading is
Health Anxiety, and dr. google can sure as heck drive you nuts if you have this, why not just try to be
thankful for your health and your family and be Daddy's little girl, "I just finished the same treatments He
has had I will Pray for you both". Peace

Larry ***
Posted 5/9/2015 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Larry, I know google is the devil seriously, I wish I never had access to it, I had every cancer you can think of according to google :(

I have had 2 cat scans, but the second one, I heard is considered 3 cause it was a head and neck angio :( So even though I went for 2, I think it counts as 3.
Posted 5/9/2015 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry Larry I forgot to say, good luck....I know you just finished treatments, they same ones as my fathers. Just so you know, although my dad's cancer is pretty advanced he is doing really well. :)
Posted 5/10/2015 3:16 AM (GMT 0)
LuvMyDad, i know quite a few men who were 4 & 5 and have done very well, it just seems that recovery
from the treatment is slow, "You hold on to him and don't turn loose", Peace

Larry ***
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