Are nuclear medicine procedures painful? what will i experience during and after the procedure?

Most : Most nuclear medicine studies are painless except for the placement of the IV or catheter depending on what procedure you are having done. I've attached a helpful website that goes more in-depth about what to expect. If you have any specific questions about your procedure, you should call the nuclear medicine dept. Of the hospital performing your procedure.

Not usually: The pain usually is short lived from an intravenous injection of the radiotracer. Some people experience pain from hida studies for gall bladder function and chest discomfort from cardiac stress tests. Patient is monitored by medical personnel.. The patient is usually imaged in the lying down position. Imaging time is variable and can last few hours, but is intermittent and not continuous.

Just an IV injection: Most nm procedures require an intravenous injection and lying still on a narrow bed for imaging. That's it. There can be a variable waiting time between the injection and the imaging, but patients wait in a regular waiting room. Afterwards, you can go about your normal routine. If you have an i-131 treatment, you will have specific instructions because you will be radioactive for days.

Usually no...: The radiotracers themselves are not painful and do not cause reactions like intravenous contrast used for a CT scan. Placement of IVs or administration of certain agents such as CCK for HIDA scan can cause some cramping or pain but the radiotracers themselves will not. Knowing the specific type of nuclear test you are referring to may help us give a more detailed answer.