Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AMA
Original poster

I'm a sonographer/radiographer- ask me anything.

66 replies

Menarefrommarsitwouldseem · 24/01/2019 19:58

I believe it's not a widely discussed healthcare profession.

I qualified as a Radiographer 10 years ago and more recently trained as a sonographer so I can ultrasound as well as X-ray and CT.
I currently work for the NHS in a major trauma centre.

OP posts:
uhohspaghetti · 24/01/2019 21:12

Thank you OP and agree with PP who said what a wonderful job you and your colleagues do.

It was at a children's hospital so I hope minimal levels given. They did tell me because she was so small it would only be the same dose as EOS anyway but that didn't make a lot of sense to me as EOS is meant to be so many times less radiation than plain film? But perhaps I'm misunderstanding.

Original poster
Menarefrommarsitwouldseem · 24/01/2019 21:13

KatyMac

Some people just have more dense bones. However, there are things like marble bone disease (Osteopetrosis) which can cause these appearances. It tends to be more widespread and the usual presentation is fractures which don't add up with the trauma etc due to the bones being brittle.
I'm sure if the radiologist who reported the DEXA was concerned they'd have asked the gp for further investigation.

OP posts:
uhohspaghetti · 24/01/2019 21:16

She did have a special little seat to sit on which was good!

Original poster
Menarefrommarsitwouldseem · 24/01/2019 21:16

crosser62

That's a lovely thing to hear. We do slip under the radar quite a bit but other than the usual NHS pressures. Pay/hours. I do love my job. X

OP posts:
weebarra · 24/01/2019 21:20

Can I just say how great you guys are? My DS1 has renal stenosis and has had to have a fair few scans, the radiographers are always so calming.
I've also had radiotherapy for breast cancer and was so impressed by focus of the staff - have you thought about therapeutic radiography?

Original poster
Menarefrommarsitwouldseem · 24/01/2019 21:20

SecretlyChartreuse

Fat can hinder all modalities. So x ray, ultrasound, ct. This is due to the rays, Soundwaves etc having further to travel.
Also fat attenuates ( scatters) the radiation. So the image isn't as sharp and seems noisy and blurry. We do have ways to try and get round it though. It also increases the exposures we have to give but that's relative.

Always tell your radiographer if you're pregnant. It's actually more important in the early days than later on.
It is also dependant on which part of the body is imaged. Abdomen or finger etc

OP posts:
crosser62 · 24/01/2019 21:22
Wink Just wanted you to know x
Original poster
Menarefrommarsitwouldseem · 24/01/2019 21:23

Flymetothemoon18

I've not scanned anything like this (so far it's early days) I do testicle scanning though and there many things that can cause lumps down there. So try not to worry.

I've carried out a few scans where I've called on a colleague for a second opinion Or a fresh pair of eyes. That's quite normal.

OP posts:
Dancer12345 · 24/01/2019 21:25

I have a cervical rib, which is apparently quite rare and most people haven’t even heard of it! Do you see many?

KatyMac · 24/01/2019 21:27

I went private so only really got the scan - the doctors shrug but nurse are all interested in why

Flymetothemoon18 · 24/01/2019 21:27

Thank you, the doctor reassured us it didn’t look life threatening he just didn’t have a clue what he was really looking at. Will be learning curve for him too when they get to the bottom of it! Sooner rather than later hopefully as it’s causing him a lot of pain bless him. All the best and thank you for doing what you do, not enough credit given to NHS employees, we’d all suffer without you.

Original poster
Menarefrommarsitwouldseem · 24/01/2019 21:28

uhohspaghetti

EOS is a low dose/ high sensitivity machine. Really the best option.
We don't have them in our trust but maybe they do in some children's hospitals. I think they're used more in the states.
The radiographer can't lie about the dose given so please take some comfort that they've told you it was so low.
When I trained I worked in a specialist hospital where children would come for full spinal x rays every 3 months.
Which is fine if it's justified. The risk is there to explain to people, just like risks with surgery, medicine. Despite problems being highly unlikely. Flowers

OP posts:
Original poster
Menarefrommarsitwouldseem · 24/01/2019 21:30

Dancer12345

Yes they are rare. I've seen a few over my years.
Plus people with another normal variance of a 6th lumbar vertebrae. I've seen that more though.

OP posts:
Original poster
Menarefrommarsitwouldseem · 24/01/2019 21:35

weebarra

Ah that's nice to hear. I believe a lot of being calm and serene ( ish) is the dark rooms and the fact we don't spend long with our patients. Which some i would love to. Some not so much haha.

I did consider therapeutic. It's a slightly different degree to diagnostic. We have the same physics underpinning but that's where it changes.
It interests me greatly but I like that trauma side of diagnostic.
I hope all went well with your treatment.

OP posts:
jjemimapuddleduck · 24/01/2019 21:51
  • Are you called Louise?
A friend of ours ex was called Louise many year ago and training to be a radiographer! She wasn't very nice when she dumped our friend.
  • What happens when you are planning a baby or get pregnant?
  • (apologies for the stupid question) What is the difference between radiography and sonography?
  • Do you have a lot of exposure to radiation (more than a normal person)?
  • How much do you get paid? Blush
  • Do you do lots of shift work?
  • Would you ever work in a private clinic e.g. Baby Bond or similar? Do these clinics pay well?

It seems I find you very interesting! Thank you in advance.

Mooey89 · 24/01/2019 22:02

4 years ago I had sepsis from fluid build up in my abdomen from a messed up op.
It was the consultant radiographer who saved my life when they finally drained me properly, so from me too, thank you so much. X

Original poster
Menarefrommarsitwouldseem · 24/01/2019 22:07

Are you called Louise?
A friend of ours ex was called Louise many year ago and training to be a radiographer! She wasn't very nice when she dumped our friend.

  • no I'm not a Louise Smile
  • What happens when you are planning a baby or get pregnant?
* we inform our managers straight away. We can still x ray etc, it's more that theatres become difficult. Wearing lead etc. I was still taking x-rays at 38 weeks pregnant with mine haha.
  • (apologies for the stupid question) What is the difference between radiography and sonography? Radiography- x-rays, ct, MRI etc. Sonpgraphy- ultrasound
  • Do you have a lot of exposure to radiation (more than a normal person)?
No. We wear lead coats when we can't be behind the screen. And they're a comfortable as they sound. Ha. We also have to wear something called a TLD. It monitors radiation to ensure we aren't being exposed.
  • How much do you get paid? blush
* I'm now after 10 years on 31k. Newly qualified start on £23k and in my opinion it's nowhere near enough. We put up with a lot of shit.
  • Do you do lots of shift work?
* Yes. Lots. I've not had a weekend off in Jan. And won't be in Feb either. I had to work Christmas night shift and nye night shift.
  • Would you ever work in a private clinic e.g. Baby Bond or similar? Do these clinics pay well?
*Potentially it working hours/ pay don't improve. But I really do feel passionate about the NHS. I'm not sure I would work on babybond as I don't really agree with them.

It seems I find you very interesting! Thank you in advance.

OP posts:
Original poster
Menarefrommarsitwouldseem · 24/01/2019 22:10

I'm sorry that happened. Must have been so uncomfortable and scary.

Glad you recovered well

And thank you Flowers

OP posts:
RedTartanLass · 24/01/2019 22:14

Can having breast implants effect the results of a mammogram?

Original poster
Menarefrommarsitwouldseem · 24/01/2019 22:22

I've never really worked in mammography. However, as I understand it. Yes implants can make a mammogram more difficult to read.

OP posts:
Joysandsorrows · 26/01/2019 21:53

Very interesting OP. Do you know of anyone who had multiple CT scans and went on to get cancer? Do you have figures on it ?

NecessaryOnABicycle · 29/01/2019 22:01

@Joysandsorrows I work in Medical Physics so I'm placed to answer this question: like all carcinogens, the risk of developing cancer from a CT scan is statistical, a bit like playing the lottery; anyone who buys a ticket could win, but the change is very small. Buy more tickets and your chance of winning multiplies, but is still very small. For comparison, the radiation exposure from one CT scan is approximately the same as four years natural background radiation in London, or just one year in Cornwall.

If you want the maths: the chance in a population of developing cancer from radiation damage is approximately 5% per Sievert (the unit of dose) or 0.005% per millisievert. A CT scan is (very approximately) 8 millisievert which gives a risk of 0.04% or 1 in 2500 people. This is tiny compared to the average lifetime risk of cancer which is on the order of 1 in 3 people. Again though it is important to remember that this is all statistical. Your age, sex, comorbidities and other risk factors etc all affect your own personal risk factor, and someone could have 10000 CT scans and be lucky, whilst airline could be unlucky.

I hope this reassured as it was meant to and I'm sorry for the essay! I (knowing these facts) and have had CT scans in the past and would do again!

NecessaryOnABicycle · 29/01/2019 22:02

Argh typo!! Sorry, I did proofread I promise! No airlines involved...

*whilst another could be unlucky after one

Jambalaya76 · 29/01/2019 22:42

Over the years I have had a lot of dental work done and subsequently a lot of dental X-rays. Couple that with general xrays over the years on this and that. I will be having dental implants soon, so that will mean more X-rays and possible ct jaw scan. I am concerned about the amount of exposure I'm having. Is there anything I can do to counteract the exposure I'm having, like drink a lot of water or something? I'm aware this might sound like a stupid question, but it has had me thinking for a while

NecessaryOnABicycle · 29/01/2019 22:58

@Jambalaya76 the short answer is no. However dental X-rays are very low dose so hopefully that reassures you a bit!