CT-Scan/Please share your thoughts

[Anonymous]

I recently went to the ER for chest pressure and some shortness of breath. They did blood tests, Doppler and a chest Xray. Although the tests came out negative for a blood clot in the lungs, they still wanted me to do a CT-Scan that is not 100% safe for the fetus. They say that at 32 weeks chances might[u] be rare to damage the unborn baby. I am really not too comfortable to do it. I tremendously care for this baby I so long waited for. Please advice. Thank you very much.

[khawthorne]

Are you still having the chest pressure and shortness of breath? How strongly did they urge you to have the CT? Did you call your OB?

[Anonymous]

I'm so sorry you are in this situation. What an agonizing choice. I hope you and your baby are okay.

I'll tell you how I would decide. I would ask myself questions like, is the CT scan to look for a blood clot in the lung? If so, I'm assuming that could be fatal? I would want to know what else could be causing the symptoms and if there are ways to rule out those problems. I would also want to know exactly what sort of rare damage to the baby was a possibility. I would DEFINITELY talk to my OB. You may be better off seeing a specialist (cardiac? pulmonary?) pronto than going back to the ER. ERs are great at saving lives but they are not specialists. In the interest of making sure to rule out anything that could kill you, I think sometimes they may run too many tests and miss a simpler diagnosis.

In the end, if the condition they wanted to check for could potentially be fatal to me and the baby and there was no other way to screen for it, I think I'd have the test.

[Anonymous]

Just to preface: I'm a physician. I would do the scan. At this point the possibility of damage to your baby is slim to none. If you have a pulmonary embolism you could die. Chest pain and shortness of breath are the signs of a PE, and women who are pregnant are at high risk of clots because we are "hypercoagulable" (our blood is thicker). I'm pregnant and I would have the scan if I had those symptoms.

[Anonymous]

OP here: to 12:25. I don't have the symptoms since the last time I was at the ER (last Wed) except for being way way too tired and dizzy most of the time and especially after I eat. Well since I was at the ER, they said it's better to do the CT Scan that night to make sure I don't have a blood clot in the lungs and go home with peaceful mind!!
To 13:14: I did call my OB and he said if they think I should do it, then it's safe and he added that they usually do the scan on pregnant women.
To 13:28: I would appreciate it if you give me more advice (of course I will double check with my OB) on what other tests I may do especially that I do feel SUPER week all the time with episodes of dizziness and sometimes fainting. I need to add that I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism last year and that I am seeing an endocrinologist in 2 weeks from today (the closest oppnt they could give me).
Thank you so very much for any input. I really feel lost and I am in so much pain.

[Anonymous]

I also have hyperthyroidism. Is your endocrinologist aware of your symptoms? I ask because your symptoms could be thyroid related and there is something called thryoid storm, an extreme form of hyperthyroidism, and some of the symptoms match yours. It's dangerous anytime but I would think even moreso in pregnancy. Maybe the ER checked your thyroid and this is a nonissue, I just wanted to mention it. I think that as awful as you are feeling you should see a doctor soon. Hope you are able to figure out what is wrong and feel better soon!

http://ezinearticles.com/?In-the-Face-of-the-Storm---The-Terror-Which-is-Thyroid-Storm&id=2301828

"Most signs and symptoms of this sudden condition are exacerbated effects of hyperthyroidism. These include rapid heart beat, chest pains, shortness of breath, anxiety and irritability, disorientation, increased sweating, weakness and heart failure."

[Anonymous]

OP here: I haven's seen the endocrinologist yet but I will definitely explain how I feel in my coming 2 weeks appointment. It took me forever to get an appointment with an endo by the way. I hope I will still be alive until then and my will find a cure to my worrisome condition )-:

[Anonymous]

16:50 here. I wouldn't wait two weeks if I were you. I'd call the endo's office Monday morning, sooner if you start feeling bad again, and tell the nurse your symptoms. Ask him or her to tell the endo, and the endo will decide if you need to be seen sooner. The appointment scheduling people will just tell you when the next regular opening is, but the dr and/or nurse can squeeze you in much sooner if your symptoms concern them.

[Anonymous]

I will try to do so and I REALLY hope and pray things will go smooth.

[Anonymous]

I would ask for an EKG? I don't think that's harmful during pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

I did the EKG first then a Doppler, a chest X-ray and some kind of a blood test they said it should give them an idea. The results of them all came back negative except for the blood test and they decided to go for a CT-Scan!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just to preface: I'm a physician. I would do the scan. At this point the possibility of damage to your baby is slim to none. If you have a pulmonary embolism you could die. Chest pain and shortness of breath are the signs of a PE, and women who are pregnant are at high risk of clots because we are "hypercoagulable" (our blood is thicker). I'm pregnant and I would have the scan if I had those symptoms.

I could not agree more!!!!

I had a good friend die after a c-section due to an undetected clot in her lungs, it went to her heart after surgery and caused heart failure. Her husband was left with a newborn and a 3yr old.

There is no way I would risk a possible PE because of a marginal risk, at best, to the baby. What is worse, a small risk or being a motherless child?

[Anonymous]

OP here: Oh my God!!! this is REALLY scary and only makes it even harder to make any decision. I swear I am shaking now and don't know what to do.
To 07:00: did you friend have repeated symptoms throughout her pregnancy or she had shortness of breath, chest pain...only a couple of times?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: Oh my God!!! this is REALLY scary and only makes it even harder to make any decision. I swear I am shaking now and don't know what to do.
To 07:00: did you friend have repeated symptoms throughout her pregnancy or she had shortness of breath, chest pain...only a couple of times?

OP, I had PEs recently - twice in 4 weeks because the first time it was misdiagnosed - and I am alive and well. Yes PEs are extremely dangerous and may lead to death but they can be treated if diagnosed. I would agree with the physician pp and get the CT scan sooner rather than later so that you can be treated ASAP if you are diagniosed with a PE especially if there is minimal risk to your baby. A PE is the last thing you want to leave untreated - time is of the essence - but the good news is it CAN be treated successfully.

[Anonymous]

To: 22:39: Thanks for your input but I would love to get more clarification from you if you don't mind me asking. Did you have a CT Scan and were you pregnant at the moment? If yes, what did the doctors say about the risks on the baby? Thank you!