I’ve had way too many CT scans. Radiation anxiety!!

[Radiationworries 0]

Hi guys...

I’m really anxious over the amount of radiation I’ve received from CT scans, xrays and other radiology tests over the past few years. 

The worst part is NONE of them showed anything, so they were essentially for nothing. I felt so pressured by doctors to have them performed “just to be safe” so I did, but I’m regretting it a lot now after reading how dangerous they are.

I’ve had:

-1 head CT (because of persistent headache and lack of balance)

-1 high res chest CT (because of coughing blood)

-1 abdominal CT (with and without contrast) (because of severe abdominal pain and bloating) 

-About 6 abdominal xrays

-So many chest X-rays I can’t count

-Plus a gastric emptying test and small bowel follow through test which both contain radiation.

I’m 27 y/o and all of these scans have taken place in the last 4 years. I’m very thin and female which are apparently most at risk, yahoo.

I feel doomed to get cancer now and I can’t get over how I may have ruined my body with excessive over testing. I know there’s no sense in having a mental breakdown over this because I can’t go back in time and change it now. But I feel as if I’ve failed myself...

I guess I’m just looking for a bit of support or reassurance, from those experienced with honest statistics on radiation risks or from those who have had multiple tests themselves. I would really appreciate it as this is causing so much stress.

Also, does anyone know if it’s common practice for doctors to have information saved on how much mSv was used in each exam so I could have an accurate figure of my own exposure? 

Thank you 🙁
 

 

 

 

 

[MARC 254]

When you fly from coast to coast you are exposed to radiation not quite the amount of a chest xray. We are all exposed to radiation. I have read that vitamin c, vitamin d, eggs, beans, carrots, fish, peas and apples help the body get rid of radiation. My mother smoked for 60 years and never got cancer. My father smoked three packs of cigarettes a day until he was in his 50s and lived to 93 and never had cancer. I would do what you can to avoid excess radiation exposure in the future and I believe odds are you will be fine.