4D CT Angiogram

[MikeS.]

Gang,

I have attached an article about the 4D CT angiogram I had a month ago, and will be getting again on Tuesday. Dr. Vinuela at UCLA (who helped invent coiling) recommends this scan instead of a traditional angiogram since it is non-invasive (just a little dye through a IV), and you are in and out in 15 minutes. Julie, I hope this helps....as far as radiation from this, I have no idea. I can tell you that the 4D CT picked up a bleb on the aneurysm which they did not see on the traditional angiogram I received. Make your Dr.'s prove it is not as accurate, and if the cannot, see if you can find one of these scanners in your area! Much better than a follow-up angiogram!!

Cheers,

Mike :o

http://www.ajnr.org/cgi/reprint/26/6/1366.pdf

[Lisa Sobocinski]

Mike,
Thanks for the infor. I will definately bring up on my next appmt...1/22.

Lisa

[JulieNH]

Mike,
Thanks, those photos were amazing. I do wonder what the radiation is during a 4-D CT scan. I don't have another appointment with my neurologist until March, but I will see my Interventional Radiologist this month. I'll try to find out from him.
JulieNH

[Nancy D]

Mike,

Right before my surgery I had what my NS called a stealth MRI, which I think may be the same or similar to what you had. Sorry, I don't remember it at all as I was drugged up. The great thing about the procedure I had is the NS found out he could get to my annie and do a clip instead of the bypass he was planning. Great news and made the recovery a lot quicker for me. Keep us posted and good luck.

Nancy

[MikeS.]

Annie Haters,

I did some reading on the radiation, and it is obviously not the best thing in the world. One CT is equivalent to 100 xrays, and it is 800 days worth of radiation you would receive naturally. Now, as far as cancer from this radiation....you have 20% chance of getting cancer in your life without any xrays or CT's...a few CT scans could increase your chances of getting cancer from 20% to 20.1%. I think those stats are fine with me considering the stats associated with an annie. I will as the neuroradiologist on Tuesday, and I wonder if the newer machines are more efficient with the radiation they send out. Don't traditional angiograms use xray technology too??

Cheers,

Mike

[Suzanne*Canada]

Hey Mike.. because I am tested every three years my Dr said he won't do the CT on me.. unless something shows up with the MRA then I can decide if i want the 4DCT.. but he wont allow me to get it regularly like the MRA.... I was also told to detox my body as best as I can after any kind of radiation so that is also something to consider to help make it safer!

Thanks for the link
Suzanne

[MikeS.]

Suzanne,

How do you detox from radiation?? I sure would like to know...

Cheers,

Mike

[Suzanne*Canada]

:o ya sure ? lol
The first thing to take is seaweed -spirulina and kelp... for 30 or so days after radiation exposure because it helps to bind it together for easier removal from your system. Drinking Black and green teas have shown "radioprotective effects" also ( and everyone should drink green tea all the time anyway;)

Basically, an anti-radiation diet should focus on the following foods:

· Miso soup
· Spirulina, chlorella and the algaes (kelp, etc.)
· Brassica vegetables and high beta carotene vegetables
· Beans and lentils
· Potassium, calcium and mineral rich foods
· High nucleotide content foods to assist in cellular repair including spirulina, chlorella, algae, yeast, sardines, liver, anchovies and mackerel
· Cod liver oil and olive oil
· Avoid sugars and sweets and wheat
· A good multivitamin/multimineral supplement


Another benefit of the sea vegetables rarely discussed is their high mineral content, which is a bonus in the case of radioactive exposure. Consuming natural iodine, such as in the seaweeds, helps prevent the uptake of iodine-131 while iron inhibits the absorption of plutonium-238 and plutonium-239. Vitamin B-12 inhibits cobalt-60 uptake (used in nuclear medicine), zinc inhibits zinc-65 uptake and sulfur is preventative for sulfur-35 (a product of nuclear reactors) incorporation by the body.

I don't know if it truly helps ( I am not a doctor but some day I will be!) but you will be healthier that's for sure! I do a detox cleanse after I do any kind of testing, but for me it's mostly because I am SEVERELY claustrophobic and I need to be drugged up to get in the stupid machines:mad: :o .. so i detox to remove the radiation but also the drugs and chemicals out of my system:eek: !

and here is a bit more if you want to know:

The immune system is usually hit hard after radiation exposure, and a number of steps can be taken to help prevent opportunistic infections after a radioactive incident. Though the full dimensions of the protective mechanism is still unknown, Siberian ginseng is one form of ginseng that exerts a definite radioprotective effect and has been demonstrated to lessen the side effects of radiation. It was widely distributed by the Soviet Union to those exposed Chernobyl radiation and is commonly used to help cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.

Consuming Reishi mushrooms is another proven way to bolster your immune system after radiation exposure and helps reduce the damage from radiation. It's been used to decrease radiation sickness in animals and help them recover faster after potentially deadly exposure.

Panax ginseng has prevented hemorrhaging after radiation exposure, prevents bone marrow death and stimulates blood cell formation, so it's another supplement to add to one's protocol. In short, yeasts, beta glucans, bee pollen and various forms of ginseng have all been shown to bolster the immune system after radiation incidents. In terms of radiation burns, aloe vera has a proven ability to treat serious radiation burns and offers other radioprotective effects, and can easily be grown in your house.

The amino acid L-Glutamine can be used to help repair the intestine in case of the gastrointestinal syndrome usually suffered due to radiation exposure, and a variety of substances can help rebuild blood cells to prevent hematopoietic syndrome. Those particular foods include beet juice, liver extract, spleen extract, and shark alkyglycerols. Most oncologists don't know that shark liver oil, with alkyglycerols, can help platelet counts rebound in days.

are you sorry you asked now??? LOL hope it helps.....
Suzanne

[MikeS.]

Suzanne,

Not sorry at all!! My wife is gonna love your directions...she is always trying to pump me full of stuff like that!! Thank you so much for spending the time to bring me up to speed...you are wonderful...

Cheers,

Mike

[FireflyR7]

:D Mike, that 4D scan sounds cool to me!! I was supposed to get my angiogram check up in Oct. I had my 6 month in April and it looked fine then. I am so tired of them going into my brain!! I ask him if I could get a MRA and he said no, it has to be a angiogram to look at the stent?? :confused: I am going to call and talk to his nurse about this 4DCT!! :p They are upset because I haven't had it done yet. I am tired of hospitals, losing my hair and being sore, recovering... :( I know I have to go get it done soon??

***I got a "cocktail" for radiaton allergies from my NS. The night before and morning of I had to take steriods, benadry & zantac. They were all presription strength and I do think it help my hair from falling as bad!

:o Detox: Drink a lot of water and natural fruit juices, eat a lot of dark colored fruits and veggies!! Stay away from soda and caffien, drink green tea, unless you are on a lot of meds. One of mine says not too. I am not allowed to take antacids with one of my meds.?? I know straight OJ is not supposed to be drank with some meds?? Have to ask the Dr. or pharmasist about each one. Stay hydrated well though!!

Suz, you must be a very organized and interjetic!! I got tired just reading that list. It is all I can do to make myself eat crackers or ice cream most days?? How do you do it? Sounds exspensive?? Bet it does help a lot though!!! You go girl, you should be a nutritionalist! ;)

Love you guys and thanks for all the info!! You are always in my prayers! Tricia