worried about radioactive iodine

[DENNIS D.]

I had total thyroid removed for pappilary carcin. They want to do pet scan and right after the pet scan the doctor wants to give me a dose of radioactive iodine to kill whatever cancer are left.  My worry is has anyone takin this and had bad reaction to this.  Did you have any side effects from it. HOW DID YOU FEEL AFTER YOU DRANK IT. If you have done this test please reply. I am worried because I have two small children and was told I will have to stay away from them for up to a week. Thank you.

[Janie Mack]

I had the radiactive iodine ablation after my thyroid was removed following follicular cancer diagnosis.  I did not have any side effects to speak of after drinking the stuff, no nauseau or anything like that...and then I basically slept through my few days of isolation at the hospital.  I was feeling pretty bad before the ablation since I hadn't had any thyroid supplementation for some time before the ablation to make it more effective.  It was a relief to get it done and then be able to start on synthroid right away and not have to worry about having chemo or anything else.

[TwinkyPants]

I had this about 11yrs ago. I had no side effects. I was away from my baby for a few days, and was very careful for a week. They never said anything about 2weeks or more. They told me not to get pg for a year. Write down all your questions on a piece of paper and take it to your Dr. I never remember what I want to ask if I dont take something with me. If you go to google and put in the search engine "radioactive iodine" I am sure you will get tons of info.
Best wishes.

[bonniejean]

They are giving you this to kill the rest of the cancer what are your other choices. Kemo. the Iodine is a one time deal. Concider the later if you do nothing you won't be around for those beautiful childern.

Best of Luck

Bonnie

[L.A.Owen]

I had Rai treatment in May and had no real side effects and will be scanned in Feb to make sure it has done its job.

[Brooksy]

I had the radio iodine treatment in Nov 2004.  As long as you are not in prolong close contact with children during that week then you should be fine.  The emphasis is "prolong".  

The only side effects I had whilst in hospital was feeling very tired and nauseous, however, this could be because I was off my levothyroxine medication.  

I am now having my levothyroxine medication adjusted.  Am on 175mcg per day, and am still feeling tired!

[Nomes]

My Gp wants me to have RAI For my graves disease. I posted a question about it and was sent a heap of websites to look up - about people who had it and then regretted it as they had health complications. After I spent a few hours researching it all - I have decided it's definately not for me. I still have to figure out what to do about treating my hyper.
However, I know some people who have had it and are totally fine.
I too have 3 small kids and was concerned having been told I would need to stay away for 3 weeks!!!!
I'll copy and paste the sites for you to look at in the next message. It might be deffirent for you as you do not have Graves.