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VQ scan, anyone work in nuclear medicine/radiology that can give me advice?

24 replies

ceho88 · 25/03/2023 12:02

Please, have had this scan and I’m worried about the effects to my baby. Feeling desperate :(

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ceho88 · 25/03/2023 12:31

Anyone? :(

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cashmerecow · 25/03/2023 12:34

I had one a few weeks ago and they found blood clots on my lungs, I had an X-Ray too but that didn't show up the clots. I was told they do very often on pregnant ladies and it is the safest option. I'm yet to have my 12 week scan and I am nervous too but if I hadn't had the scan I could have died from undiagnosed blood clots.

ceho88 · 25/03/2023 12:41

Oh wow I’m sorry to hear you had clots, I hope you’re doing okay now and your scan goes well.

hoping someone can come and put my mind at ease a bit about it as I’m driving myself mad with worry.

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BreadPittt · 25/03/2023 12:43

What's a VQ scan?

ceho88 · 25/03/2023 12:50

It’s a lung scan

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BreadPittt · 25/03/2023 12:51

Thanks. I'm sure it's going to be safe for your baby, the medics must have known you were pregnant?

hedwigismyowl · 25/03/2023 12:57

I'm presume you're scared of the risks of the radiation? The risks of having blood clots which get bigger or go to heart and cause heart attach or go to your brain and cause a stroke are greater than the risks of the radiation.

cashmerecow · 25/03/2023 12:58

ceho88 · 25/03/2023 12:41

Oh wow I’m sorry to hear you had clots, I hope you’re doing okay now and your scan goes well.

hoping someone can come and put my mind at ease a bit about it as I’m driving myself mad with worry.

I was scared to have it but the reassured me risk to the baby was very low, so try not to worry x

ceho88 · 25/03/2023 13:01

Thanks all. I actually had the scan when my baby was 6 days old, so my concerns were more around the breastfeeding/holding him side. I appreciate you taking the time to reply.

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Wonderingstar1 · 25/03/2023 13:01

Hi I had a VQ scan at about 29 weeks pregnant. They give you a half dose. Luckily I didn’t have any clots and my daughter is now 8 months old.

LIZS · 25/03/2023 13:06

Have you posted previously ? Did you speak to midwives at the time about any concerns?

ceho88 · 25/03/2023 13:07

hi, glad you are both OK x

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emptythelitterbox · 25/03/2023 13:09

I had full on x-rays and general anesthesia not knowing I was probably 10 weeks pregnant. Son is healthy 34 year old!

ceho88 · 25/03/2023 13:45

I have posted before yes, I’m really sorry for the new thread, I wouldn’t post again if I wasn’t in such a state of panic.

I was just hopeful there was someone out there who could give me some advice, there was no midwife i went to a&e.

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SisterFizz · 25/03/2023 20:10

I work in nuclear medicine. Any risks to your baby will be really small. I can't say they don't exist because everything in life has risks but it is thousands of times more likely that it hasn't had any effect on your baby than that it has, so try not to worry. Did the nuclear medicine staff know that you had a small baby and are breastfeeding?

ceho88 · 25/03/2023 20:20

SisterFizz · 25/03/2023 20:10

I work in nuclear medicine. Any risks to your baby will be really small. I can't say they don't exist because everything in life has risks but it is thousands of times more likely that it hasn't had any effect on your baby than that it has, so try not to worry. Did the nuclear medicine staff know that you had a small baby and are breastfeeding?

Hi, ah Thank you so much for the response, yes they knew and said to stop breastfeeding for 12 hours but from looking online I’m worrying this wasn’t enough time for everything to leave my system. Im also panicking as some people seem to have been told not to hold their baby after the scan but no one mentioned this to me… feeling very worried now

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jamsandwich1 · 25/03/2023 20:22

It’s very common to have this in pregnancy. Risks are minute. I was unwell at 15 weeks with arrhythmias so had a CTPA to rule out PE. It was negative but I didn’t think twice about having it. The risk of an undiagnosed clot is much greater. Everything will be ok.

SisterFizz · 25/03/2023 20:37

I don't know the exact details of your scan but stopping feeding for 12 hours certainly fits with some of the national guidance so I think it sounds as if the staff, who did know the details, gave you the correct information. I'd advise against comparing with information on the web as you don't know what it is based on. As others have said, we do this test on mothers who are still pregnant and even then the risks to the baby who is being carried 24 hours a day is tiny. Please try not to worry, we are really conscious of the risks in nuclear medicine and do all we can to make sure they are really small

ceho88 · 25/03/2023 20:53

Thank you X

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Abbeyr28 · 04/10/2023 17:49

Hi,

I'm having a bit a time with this at the moment. I had cramp in my calf, investigated for DVT, which was negative, but then because I had a cough they wanted to investigate the possibility of a PE.

I had two ECGs which were fine, and my blood pressure was low, so not in line with typical PE symptoms. I'm not coughing up blood or anything. I did have a bit of pain in my chest due to my cough, but i'm sure that is all it is.

I've now been told to have a VQ test. But when I say I've been having breakdowns about this, I'm not exaggerating. I was out with my partner for some lunch and I just burst out crying and started panicking.

It's so much pressure. I know the general consensus is that it is more dangerous to potentially have an undiagnosed PE, and if I felt like I had a lot of symptoms that indicated I did, I'd feel different. But I just can't help but feel like if I get this scan and it comes back clear, that I'll be plagued for the rest of mine and baby's life worrying about risk of illness from the VQ.
And on the other hand I have two children who need me to be here and well as well.

Can anyone relate/advise.

Thank you

Pregnantandworriedx · 09/02/2025 19:45

Abbeyr28 · 04/10/2023 17:49

Hi,

I'm having a bit a time with this at the moment. I had cramp in my calf, investigated for DVT, which was negative, but then because I had a cough they wanted to investigate the possibility of a PE.

I had two ECGs which were fine, and my blood pressure was low, so not in line with typical PE symptoms. I'm not coughing up blood or anything. I did have a bit of pain in my chest due to my cough, but i'm sure that is all it is.

I've now been told to have a VQ test. But when I say I've been having breakdowns about this, I'm not exaggerating. I was out with my partner for some lunch and I just burst out crying and started panicking.

It's so much pressure. I know the general consensus is that it is more dangerous to potentially have an undiagnosed PE, and if I felt like I had a lot of symptoms that indicated I did, I'd feel different. But I just can't help but feel like if I get this scan and it comes back clear, that I'll be plagued for the rest of mine and baby's life worrying about risk of illness from the VQ.
And on the other hand I have two children who need me to be here and well as well.

Can anyone relate/advise.

Thank you

Hello. I just read your post and can relate so much. Wondered if you went ahead with scan and how to you and baby are now!

I am having a breakdown over a VQ scan I had a couple of days ago at 27+5. It’s come back negative and I really didn’t think I had a blood clot but was kind of pressured into (I understand why as risks from PE can be fatal etc). But I honestly haven’t slept since and just keep crying. I am so so worried for my little baby girl. I need to try and stop obsessing over it. I keep looking at my partner and little boy and just feeling desperately sad incase I’ve done something that is going to have negative effects. Xxxxxx

Abbeyr28 · 09/02/2025 23:43

Hi lovely, first of all I empathise with you massively and until someone has been in the exact position you are in, they have no idea of the inner turmoil you are experiencing.

I did not go ahead with the scan, but If i had a feeling or any strong symptoms indicating there was a PE I would have strongly considered it.

There is so much pressure surrounding the VQ scan and I can understand that if there is a PE it can be fatal. But I was told "what is a little radiation if you and your baby are dead", well this obviously sent me into a spin and are words that will forever shock me that came from a senior ward nurse.
I had chats with heads of radiology and nuclear medicine, I researched for hours and just decided that I didn't believe my symptoms were related. I also was being treated as if i had it so carried on with the treatment for a little while then stopped.

But the fact you had it done has cleared up the "what if" that I carried round for months and months. And that in itself was terrifying. Either way, it feels like a double-ended sword.

Please please please do not beat yourself up, i have actually spoken to so so many people that have had it done and have kids that are nearly in their 20's! You were in a horrible situation and did what you believed best and that is all you can do.
Apparently living in cornwall for 1 year is the same amount of radiation as VQ scan (so i was told!).
You were put in an impossible situation, please go easy on yourself.

There are things you can do that help radiation pass through your system and detox, staying active, turmeric, seaweed, or seamoss gel, shiitake and reishi mushrooms and organic raisins.

I know how you feel and it sucks, but it will pass. When you have your beautiful baby girl in your arms and your little boy is meeting her for the first time, this will all be a memory.

Honestly thinking of you
Xxxx

Abbeyr28 · 10/02/2025 00:01

And to add, try infared saunas or just a normal sauna for detoxing xxx

ruks013 · 31/03/2025 21:21

Pregnantandworriedx · 09/02/2025 19:45

Hello. I just read your post and can relate so much. Wondered if you went ahead with scan and how to you and baby are now!

I am having a breakdown over a VQ scan I had a couple of days ago at 27+5. It’s come back negative and I really didn’t think I had a blood clot but was kind of pressured into (I understand why as risks from PE can be fatal etc). But I honestly haven’t slept since and just keep crying. I am so so worried for my little baby girl. I need to try and stop obsessing over it. I keep looking at my partner and little boy and just feeling desperately sad incase I’ve done something that is going to have negative effects. Xxxxxx

Hi just wondering if you had the scan? I’ve been told I need this scan and I’m so worried

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