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Posted 12/8/2008 11:07 AM (GMT -8)
im getting one on wednesday.. what should i expect? they always have trouble getting blood from me.. scared of the IV thing....
Posted 12/8/2008 11:11 AM (GMT -8)
does it look at the base of the head where the neck hits? not sure if it indicates anything about the brain but thats where i have the most pain most of the times
Posted 12/8/2008 11:32 AM (GMT -8)
Yes, its shows the neck and the brain. There is NO pain involved. The IV is just the dye and is necessary to do the spect scan. I didnt feel a thing when they did mine and you just have to lie there and be still and try to relax. I wouldnt worry about it. For me the result was the scarey part. (: Good luck- D

Posted 12/8/2008 9:16 PM (GMT -8)
good evening,

do you mind me asking what the circumstances were for your spect scans? (i.e. what they were testing for and the results?) my memory loss has been intense and i had read a spect scan is the best way to determine where this loss was occuring in the brain. my neurologist told me they are good, but that insurance will not cover it unless i had a cancer diagnosis.

i will see the neurologist again and will discuss this with him, if it is an option. he thought it would be $8k out of pocket, which i do not currently have.

thank you!
Posted 12/8/2008 10:10 PM (GMT -8)
My spect scan was $2300. It shows the blood flow in the brain and with me they were looking for neuro-toxicity. My results were severe neruo-toxicity with vasculitis. (inflammation of blood vessels) D

Posted 12/8/2008 10:20 PM (GMT -8)
A spect scan may be used as a diagnostic tool in Lyme. They look for hypo-perfusion defects in different areas of the brain. In my case, it was bilateral in the parietal, occipital, and temporal lobes. After IV treatment with antibiotics they look for improvement in the hypoperfusion. If you have insurance and your doctor orders the spect scan to rule out lyme or any other possible condition, it should be covered.

Google spect scans in lyme disease and you will find information.

bcaring
Posted 12/9/2008 5:22 AM (GMT -8)

There was no pain invovled with my SPECT scan.

The reason given fo rmy needing a SPECT scan was suspected Neuroborelliosis ( Lyme in the brain).

I had a number of cognizance problems.

I had my SPECT scan done at West Chester County Hospital in West Chester , Pa.  West Chester, Pa. has has a very high incidence of Lyme per population.  The radiologists there knows what to look for in SPECT scans with suspected or confirmed Lyme patients.

My SPECT revealed Hypoperfusion patches in my brain.

My insurance suprisingly paid for my SPECT.  That was in Jan. 07.

FYI  The SPECT scan shows how the brain is functioning. A MRI just shows anatomy.

Where are you getting the SPECT done?  I know a Lyme Literate MD who also is a psychiatrist who can help with SPECT and other Lyme issues. She is in the suburbs of Phila. Pa.

saxmar

Posted 12/9/2008 7:24 AM (GMT -8)
Saxmar,

Excellent explanation on SPECT scans.

I live in Chadds Ford/Kennett Square off of Rt 52. Also had mine done at Chester County Hospital. I also saw psychiatrist Dr. S regarding diagnosis and disability issues with the neuroborreliosis.

Do you live in Chester County?

bcaring
Posted 12/9/2008 11:04 AM (GMT -8)
I see Dr. R in NYC but I am getting my spect scan done at Robert Wood Johnson in NJ
Posted 12/9/2008 12:24 PM (GMT -8)
bacraing

I live in Bucks County. I also see Dr. S in Bucks County.

Same Dr. S.? Mine is a woman, first initial V.

saxmar
Posted 12/9/2008 3:05 PM (GMT -8)
Saxmar,

Yes, the same. I no longer see her. I think it was in 2005 or 2006, not sure, would have to look it up. She wrote an excellent letter for me and also sent me for neuro-psych testing. It is tough to think back on how sick I was - I would stumble in to see her, etc. Very distraught by all the skepticism about neurological lyme disease, etc.

I am treated by Dr. F in NJ. It has been a long road.

bcaring
Posted 12/10/2008 5:56 AM (GMT -8)
bcaring

I haven't seen Dr. S in about 9 months. She was the first LLMD I saw. She saved my life. I started seeing her in Nov. 06. I started seeing Dr. E in NJ for abx and other treatmen shortly after I started with Dr. S. I am still seeing Dr. E every 2 months.

It has been a long road with many stops and starts.

saxmar
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