Radiation exposure anxiety for some time now

Mental health
1

Hi,

I am 37 years old male, i had to go through a cervical spine xray in july last year and a heat ct(plain) in september end last year(about 50 days in between the 2) ...

Till feb of this year i was blissfully unaware of any major radiation risks till i read an article about radiation risk and how it can be life threatening and the anxiety kicked in ....

Also i keep looking up the internet and calculating the risks , i need to know if any one here can guide me as to whether my fears are more out of health anxiety or the cumulative effect of cervical spine x ray and one head ct is something i should be worried about ...

Thanks every one in advance ...

Regards

Amith Kumar

2

the radiation will wear off in time.  you only need to worry if it is multiple xrays in the same arrea.or  repeated  xrays near the head area.  Your radiographer will know all the risks and calculate the recommended dose.

3

Hi, @richard89308 - it was one x ray of spine and 50 days later , one head ct plain, but the x ray of spine also shows the head in report , which means my head was exposed to xray radiation and ct scan , is it worrying, kindly let me know ...

Thanks for your time ...

Regards

Amith Kumar

4

for just two xrays they would have adjusted the dose so that your brain was not fried so you would be OK

5

Thanks for the time and suggestions ..

Amith Kumar

6

Hi amithkumar

I have had several x-rays this past year all from the waist up and my concern is about the results more than the fact I had so many. The responses on this forum may not ease your mind unless a radiologist or tech respond. My suggestion is you call the office where the x-rays were done, ask to speak to the doctor or head radiologist and discuss your concerns with them.

Gail

7

@GailNCUSA - i spoke to them, some time back, they seem to suggest that the risk is higher  in kids and in patients with repeat scans and unnecessary scans ...

They suggest that its good that i am so aware of radiation risk and avoid taking more scans as it will only add the anxiety...

Coming back to my case , they suggest one CT(plain) and one cervical spine x ray is not something i should worry and i should get along with my work ...

However i keep reading all the studies on google and keep getting worried as even on single scan can be bad..

 

On the  other hand i also know that millions have been scanned since 1980 and many millions more then even 3-4 times and many x rays as well in their billions, so in the last 35 years there must have been epidemic of radiation related diseases isn't it ...

But i guess i cannot do any thing about it , just hope for best and hope for the the anxiety to go away ...

Thanks for your concern ...

Regards

Amith Kumar

8

Hi Amith,

Your posting this time is calmer than first one which is very good. You are now aware of potential issues & if something pops up you know the direction to tell the doctor to look. However, you do need to stop looking on the internet. It is a good tool but also causes much more anxiety problems. If I obsessed over and what I read on the Internet and every possible thing that could happen to me because of my health issue I'd be dead from stress. So take deep breaths and concentrate on something happy and fun.

Gail

9

@GailNCUSA - thanks , but i was wondering if any expert here can suggest what impact say - a cervical x ray and a head ct scan(Plain) after 50 days of x ray can have on  a human body and is it something that should worry some one ...

Regards

Amith Kumar