All I want for Christmas is a PSMA: Any special prep?

Haven't had one, but it doesn't sound like much of an ordeal.
I suspect that like other scans, the hard part is waiting for the results.
Good luck.

It’s simple, and you don’t have to prepare beforehand for the procedure:

Once you arrive at the clinic, you’ll change into a hospital gown and receive an intravenous injection in your arm that contains the radiotracer. You’ll wait roughly one hour so that it’s absorbed throughout your body.
You’ll be brought to our PET imaging machine, where you’ll lie still for roughly 20 minutes as the machine scans your body. Once this is complete, you may leave.
The scans are sent (usually on the same day) to the nuclear medicine physician to evaluate. That report and the PET images are then reviewed by your cancer doctor.

Thanks for the reply. Yes, your account of the procedure matches what I googled. I wonder how long it takes to get the results back.

"The scans are sent to the nuclear medicine physician."

Nuclear medicine?
Do you glow in the dark?
You could always stand in the corner & be the Christmas tree this year.

Good luck.

@bluegill
I had a PSMA done from a referral by UFHPTI (University Florida Hospital Proton Therapy Insitute) to Shands Hospital that UFHPTI has association with.

It is a CT scan done with a contrast. I think, but not sure, it is a nuclear type of contrast as I know it is stored and done in a special area of Shands. They inject it and then do the test. There is no preparation, and it does not take long.

Mine was done back in 2023 and was negative. Good luck on yours!

Had my PSMA through the VA community care at Rayus Imaging in Minneapolis.

Procedure was smooth and results were in in a couple of days. Very painless, but now we begin AGAIN

Had Radical Prostatectomy in 2015, Biochemical recurrence and 39 radiation treatments in 2016, now rapid doubling of PSA and PSMA shows metastasis in a lymph node.

VA just wants to put me back on Lupron (YUCK!) not a great experience.

I have passed the triage at Mayo and have my 1st consult on the 9th.

Anyone know what they might have in store for me?

Doing some reading about Proton Beam - is that for me? VA says I have uncurable Prostate Cancer and ADT is the only answer

PSMA Pet Scan is a psychological game changer for me. I am a Stage 4 Prostate Cancer Survivor guy 4 years in. I needed some good news instead of cautious palliative updates. Have been requesting PSMA Pet Scan for years. Each requests respectfully shunned. Because of schedule issues I had change oncologist in August. First meeting with new oncologist, total fun. Second meeting he requested a PSMA Pet Scan for me. Results fulfilled my need for good news. My cancer moved to different locations and able to add Radiation therapy to my treatment. Highly recommend PSMA Pet Scans, it reveals a different perspectives in our survivorship story.

Just like an MRI. Hope things turn out all well.

@briang1958, as you prepare for you first consult with Mayo Clinic next week, have you prepared a list of questions? You should definitely ask about treatment options, including proton beam therapy and if it may be a possibility for you.

If this is your first time to Mayo Clinic, you might also find helpful tips for your visit in this forum:
- Visiting Mayo Clinic https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/traveling-to-mayo-clinic/

Any questions for the guys as you get ready for the appointment?

@bluegill
My PSMA required a type of radioactive contrast done. Other than that, no other prep was done or needed. Does not take long.

So I don't get to drink a delicious beverage like I do for the colonoscopies?