I have been scheduled for a SPECT scan tomorrow and I am worried because I am currently on Cymbalta for depression and Gabapentin for pain relief (nerve pain).
I called Columbia Prep and asked whether I should be worried and was told it should not affect my test at all. I wonder at this because these drugs are meant to affect the brain.
Please weigh in. Thanks for taking the time.
-------------------- Allanah Posts: 36 | From New York, NY | Registered: Apr 2008
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posted
When I had my SPECT at columbia, I took my Lexapro and Clonapin (SSRI, and something else). I didn't drink any coffee, though, and had a splitting caffeine withdrawl headache. They told me NO CAFFEINE!
I don't really know the answer to your questions, but they didn't seem to mind that I was taking these brain drugs (or all the antibiotics for that matter).
Good luck tomorrow! It's easy!
Allie
Posts: 300 | From Northeast | Registered: Dec 2006
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I have had several Brain SPECTs, and I believe the only restrictions are Chocolate, Coffee, Soda...etc.
I am on heavy duty narcotic pain medications, IV antibiotics, 3 different seizure meds, and a ton of others---And I never stopped any of them before any of my SPECT scans. I don't believe it changes anything, since I have had different SPECTs while on different meds, and the results have been indicative of my overall Neurological condition.
Best of luck!
Posts: 29 | From New York | Registered: Aug 2007
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I wouldn't worry. I gave hubby his dose of IV Ativan while he was in the waiting room before he had his SPECT scan done at Columbia. They said it would be much better for him not to be having tremors and myoclonus during the test than to have to be focused on lying as still as possible.
The technicians all seemed to be foreigners as so many docs are at large teaching hospitals, but they obviously knew lyme and co. Very friendly and helpful.
If you request it when you sign in you should be able to leave the building with a film of your scan. We went to lunch in the hospital and it was ready after lunch. Of course we had to wait a week or so for the report. I think there was a very small charge.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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this seems so odd given the nature of spect scans. i don't know why they wouldn't ask you to be off of them for a period beforehand.
Posts: 244 | From Ottawa | Registered: Dec 2005
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METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
Those medications are fine, they don't inpact vasodialation, or microvascular inflammation. The issues of hypoperfusion are "not" addressed by those medications. And that's what they'll be looking for, but Caff, Coffee, and other vasoconstrictors "do" influence the testing!
See, the brain is filled with tiny tiny blood vessels that constrict and dialate like the rest of the body, but hypoperfusion is a major issue in Lyme Disease, likely as a result of neurotoxins, inflammation etc.
-------------------- I am not a physician, so do your own research to confirm any ideas given and then speak with a health care provider you trust.
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