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Frequently Asked Questions

How long will I be at the NIH?

Most patient's coming for a first time evaluation for pheochromocytoma, will be scanned and tested for, 5 days.

What do I need to bring?

Please bring a drivers license and your medications; we do not supply medications.

Will I be an inpatient or outpatient?

When you come to the NIH for evaluation, you will be an outpatient.

If I am staying as an outpatient, do I make reservations at a hotel?

We try our best to accommodate you in the Safra Family Lodge, which is located, across the road from the CRC, on the grounds of the NIH (see map). To stay at the Safra Family Lodge is a privilege, but there may be times your reservations may be revoked, due to patient emergencies at the CRC. If this happens, you would need to make reservations, at a nearby hotel. 24 hours before arrival to the Safra Family Lodge, please call to confirm your reservations; your confirmation # for the Safra Family Lodge, will be on the upper right corner of your schedule.

If I have reservations at the Safra Family Lodge, are there certain times, I need to check in or out?

Yes, you will need to check into the Safra Family Lodge, AFTER 3:00 PM, only (please do not go to the lodge before) and you MUST be completely out of your room, by 11:00 AM, your last day of scans (please do not ask for exceptions to these rules). If we abuse these rules, we will lose our privilege to use the Safra Family Lodge.

Any concern with radiation exposure, with having so many scans?

The radiation exposure, from all of the scans, is minimal.

How should I prepare for the test I will be having?

For the biochemistry, there are medication and food restrictions, please see Medications & foods to avoid

Any medications I should not be taking for these tests?

Please see Medications & foods to avoid

Any foods, I should not be eating for these tests?

Please see Medications & foods to avoid

Does NIH cover travel or lodging expenses?

Although, some protocol do cover travel to the NIH for evaluation, our pheochromocytoma protocol DOES NOT cover travel or lodging expenses, of any kind.

Food at the NIH?

There are two cafeteria's and a coffee shop, at the CRC/Building 10; please see map of the CRC, for location.

Hotels & Restaurants in the area?

See NIH website

When will I know the results?

A complete record of results, takes about two-three weeks.

After I have been accepted into the protocol, when should I receive a schedule?

Once ALL of your information has been received and reviewed from your referring physician, a schedule will be made for you. You will receive a schedule for evaluation, two-three weeks, before your scheduled week of scans.

If I think I have a pheochromocytoma, how do I apply to your protocol?

The referral needs to be from physician to physician; patient's cannot send their information to the NIH, for consideration into the pheochromocytoma protocol for evaluation. A well-written referral letter MUST accompany the required information from the referring physician.

What should I wear when I come to the NIH, for evaluation?

Dress comfortably. When being scanned, you cannot wear any metal or jewelry, of any kind.