Any tips on PET scan prep diet?

[woodsprite]

Anticipating going a bit crazy over the next 24 hrs. The only guidance I’ve had is fairly general - no starches, no dairy, no grain products, no fruit, no fat free or artificiality sweetened products, no sugar, no sauces, no caffeine or decaffeinated beverages, limit nuts/seeds to 2 oz or less.

I’m thinking just eggs, chicken, beef, fish, and water.

It would have been better to have told me exactly what I could eat or given me some sample menus.

[Tetrachloride]

1. I eat more than my share of eggs.

Last edited Mon Aug 15, 2022, 04:36 AM - Edit history (2)

Horned melon is a low calorie fruit in my area. probably not in north america.

Celery

Cukes without skins

Boiled broccoli or cauliflower or cabbage

onion and mushrooms, stirfry.

mint tea.

barley tea , tho might not be allowed.

Minestrone?

Radishes: raw or boiled or that onion stirfry ( i don’t like raw. boiled is boring but edible. low calorie)

Lentils and other beans

Peas and carrots (not too many carrots )

definitely no sunflower seeds.

these are guesses.

if you eat shrimp, only 6 average pieces.

No ramen.

No soups which are heavily salted.

No strong vinegar. i would skip entirely or rinse any vinegar off.

No chinese takeout. Too much sugar and has oyster sauce.

No Aretha Franklin or James Brown — dancing not allowed in the scanner . Not even Lawrence Welk.

[Walleye]

2. Don't have any suggestions but good luck, I wish you the best.

I know how upsetting these things can be

[gademocrat7]

3. Sending you support hugs.

Try chopped Romaine lettuce or Boston Bibb lettuce with chicken.

[Ferrets are Cool]

4. Tell your oncologist or PA that you need to speak to a dietian.

Safest thing to do. Good Luck!!

[sinkingfeeling]

5. I can't recall any diet restrictions before the PET scans I

had in 2009-2011. Is it something new?

[woodsprite]

6. Maybe. They said any carb or sugar intake

Could risk the integrity of the scan, which is why they’re so strict. I had a slightly enlarged lymph node show up in an area that is inoperable and unbiopsiable due to how close it is to the blood supply to my bowel. By slightly, it was about 1.2cm rather than 1cm. My onco said he wasn’t ready to call it a spread since it could be a reactive lymph node. Apparently surgery disruption can cause it, infection, chemo, and radiation treatments. The radiation can make readings wonky for years.

I’m a type 2 diabetic as well and have been told to lay off my Metformin for 48 hrs. They said if my blood sugar is over 200 before the scan then they can’t do it since it’s an iv of a radioactive sugar solution.

AAAAND, As I was typing this, the hospital called to say that insurance (BC/BS) denied the test. My onco said he will call and get a one-on-one set up to talk with them. He said this is the game the ins cos and their authorizing auditing cos play.

[sinkingfeeling]

7. I had several PETS after my surgery and radiation treatments for

Stage IV cancer on my tonsils. I do recall them testing my blood sugar level before the scan.

Best of outcomes to you.

[murielm99]

8. How are you doing these days?

Are you healthier?

[sinkingfeeling]

9. Pretty much. I'm 14 years out (next month) from diagnosis.

I'm also 74, so not as spry asI used to be.

[murielm99]

10. I am 74 also.

It is nice to know that you made it so far.

I am in the middle of a lung cancer diagnosis. I am getting all sorts of talk and no treatment. I am frightened that it is spreading while they dilly dally. It was caught before it spread, but that was two months ago. Who knows by now?