Anybody ever wonder about the long term affects of exposure to x-ray? How often can one healthily be exposed to fluoroscopy? When I go for fills, the Doctor, nurse and my husband who are all present in the room have to where special covers to protect them but I do not. My husband actually brought up this point and it got me to thinking. Is there a limit to how many times we can without damage to ourselves be exposed to radiation within a year or specified period of time to have fills? Just a thought!:thumbup:

The radiation in an x-ray is very minimal. And you won't have fills every 4-6 weeks forever, either. However the doc does them OVER AND OVER...as does the x-ray tech. It adds up more quickly for them.

So no, you're not in danger. But if you were an x-ray technician, using the equipment many times every day, well even drops can add up to a bucketfull eventually.

Thanks for your input. That's pretty much what I thought.

Donna

Of course, if the doc's hair sticks straight out, he has a mad gleam in his eye, and he starts to cackle, run for it. :thumbup:

LMAO!!! Have a good day!

Of course I just saw your line "RNs are not doctors..."

True but most RN's know their boundaries.

Since I am "just" an RN and not a doc, nor an X-Ray tech, you may want to ask your doc to confirm this.

There are many questions we RNs can answer, and many questions "people" can answer drawing from their knowledge base. BUT...you check with your surgeon about the radioactivity in an x-ray to make sure.

Will do. I have already emailed surgeon's office. Please don't take offense. I just saw another RN give some terrible advice to a thread poster that really concerned me. I too am an RN but I am not presently practicing.

Edited July 23, 200917 yr by FailureIsntAnOption

I hear you. I was mostly just poking at you because I know you can take it! :thumbup:

You could always add this disclaimer:

"Except Donna2153 and Restless Monkey who are RNs who know their boundaries and will most likely tell you to check with your surgeon anyway!"

LOL :laugh:

That's a good one. I just changed it cause the last thing I want to do is offend fellow nurses.

The radiation in an x-ray is very minimal. And you won't have fills every 4-6 weeks forever, either. However the doc does them OVER AND OVER...as does the x-ray tech. It adds up more quickly for them.

So no, you're not in danger. But if you were an x-ray technician, using the equipment many times every day, well even drops can add up to a bucketfull eventually.

Yes, the amount of radiation in one picture is minimal, however your procedure is under fluro, which is ongoing radiation. With that said, your doctor and x-ray technologist are trained to keep the amount of radiation as low as possible. Where radiation is concerned you are always in danger. but the benefit of a small procedure, such as a fill, outways the risk(meaning, your doctor can actually visualize your stomach and proper placement of the band).

Monkey- the difference between a technician(6 months training and a certificate) and a technologist(two/four years of school and a degree) is huge, just like the difference between a nursing assistant and a RN.

Yes, the amount of radiation in one picture is minimal, however your procedure is under fluro, which is ongoing radiation. With that said, your doctor and x-ray technologist are trained to keep the amount of radiation as low as possible. Where radiation is concerned you are always in danger. but the benefit of a small procedure, such as a fill, outways the risk(meaning, your doctor can actually visualize your stomach and proper placement of the band).

Monkey- the difference between a technician(6 months training and a certificate) and a technologist(two/four years of school and a degree) is huge, just like the difference between a nursing assistant and a RN.

nice to know...just like the many differences in NURSE...LPN/LVN, or even for "RN's"...some are baccalaureate prepared, others have an associates, others just go to a school ...

I meant it more as a person who works with the x-ray machine daily, not really addressing the skill level. However, I'll make sure I'm clear when I post. I keep forgetting people can NOT read my mind.

And as x-rays go, I'm neither of the techs! -ician, nor -ologist.

Edited July 24, 200917 yr by RestlessMonkey

x-ray "people" are technologist, give them their respect.

someone who works on your car is a technician.

I was taught someone who works on a car is a mechanic

but again I am educated now about x-ray personnel

if you want an apology here it is

as I said, I am neither....and I will make sure in the future I'm clear

If you want flowers I'll have to get your address.

Just found this, so I think I actually meant X-ray TECHNICIAN....which is what I think I said....

An x-ray technician is a trained health care worker, with specific skills in the area of manipulating x-ray equipment to take “insider” pictures of the body so that diseases, conditions, or injury can be visualized and diagnosed. In this growing field, most x-ray techs train for a year or two prior to working in a variety of locations. Jobs in this field may take place in hospitals, doctor’s offices, radiology clinics, dental offices, and convalescent homes. The field is not without risk, since long-term exposure to frequent x-rays is correlated to the development of certain cancers. Following safety protocols like blocking vulnerable body parts from radiation with lead sheets or walls while x-rays are taken minimizes this risk.

I always thought a radiologist "reads" the x-ray...and we don't call them "techs" down here.

Anybody ever wonder about the long term affects of exposure to x-ray? How often can one healthily be exposed to fluoroscopy? When I go for fills, the Doctor, nurse and my husband who are all present in the room have to where special covers to protect them but I do not. My husband actually brought up this point and it got me to thinking. Is there a limit to how many times we can without damage to ourselves be exposed to radiation within a year or specified period of time to have fills? Just a thought!:cool2:

Hey just wondering what your fills are like under fluriscopy? I have my first one done next tues.. under fluoroscopy