cat scans and pacemakers

Hi,
I just wanted to know if anyone ever had problems when they had a cat scan? I just had a cat scan today, I have had many in the past, so I'm very used to them, but today something strange happened, I was fine when they were scanning me, but when the machine started moving around me, I felt my heart starting to beat hard, it reminded me of when I have my pacemaker turned off to see how my heart is beating, It was getting harder and faster, so I told them to stop, they thought I might be having a panic attack, but I wasn't afraid, I have had a least 10 cat scans in the last 7 years, anyhow, they started the machine again and once the machine started moving, the
same thing started again, I managed to breath through it, but now, 3 hours later, my chest still is sore, and I feel really dizzy,
They had me closer to the machine this time than the other times, so maybe that had something to do with it?, Has anyone ever had anything happen to them like this? The radiologist said there was no way that it could have affected my pacer because there was no magnet in there, I'm sooooo confused, and a bit worried, I'm hoping this has happened to someone else. Thanks for taking the time to read this, Karri

5 Comments

CT Scans

by gaby - 2007-05-02 11:05:05

About 2 years ago I had a CT Scan of my chest. I have had my pacemaker for nearly 4 years and never had any issues with the CT Scanner. My scan took about 45 minutes and my pacer is in my abdomin.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

special considerations

by riley - 2007-05-03 01:05:33

Hi Karri,

I have a Medtronic PM and they sent me a guide of things that are No Risk, Minimal Risk and Special Considerations. Cat Scans came under the Special Considerations category and suggests anyone with a PM consult with their Dr. before undergoing a CT.
I'd probably be calling the DR. also to have the PM checked out if I were still feeling funny.

Riley

Cats :)

by valerie - 2007-05-03 05:05:13

Hi Karri,
Well, I'm sorry to disapoint you, but I have not had this happen to me.
LOL! I thought your last comment was hilarious!
"I'm hoping this has happened to someone else."
I knew exactly what you meant, but I just wanted to go with it, hahahahaha! (pardon my odd humor). :)

Anyway, I have not had any CT Scans since the pacer, but I asked my EP about that one, and he said the same thing as the two posts above me mentioned.

Is your chest still sore and are you still dizzy? I would call the doctors office in the morning just to be on the safe side and have a better understanding of what is (or was) happening.
Good luck with that and please keep us updated :)
Take care,
~valerie

same thing happened to me

by bambi - 2007-05-03 12:05:37

Hi Karri,
I've had 2 CT scans of my head and upper torso since I've had my pacemaker, and the SAME thing happened to me that you described! I was told CT scans were safe, but since then I've really wondered if it does do something? I did have dye injected during my test. Did you?
Bambi

everyone's different.

by bowlrbob - 2007-05-04 01:05:41

CT scans should be no problem. Maybe it was because of the dye. My son had one with the dye and said it was very weird. I have had 3 since my pm was put in. I had no dye on any and no problems at all. Just a thought. Bowlrbob

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