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What next?
My son recently had his thyroid removed due to cancer. He is now letting his body get to rock bottom so he can go for inodine test. Immediately after that he starts on thyroid replacement meds. I am wondering if it will be a slow road back to normal for him or a rocking road for some time.
I certainly feel for your son! If he isn't on any thyroid meds at all, I'm quite sure that he's feeling pretty miserable right now. When I called for the anti-nausea meds, I was half joking with the nurse and said "Maybe since I can't eat, I won't gain weight". He said "Honey, you're SO hypo right now that you wouldn't have to eat a thing and you'd still gain weight". Not really what I wanted to hear!
As KelDC said, I would call the office and see what they have to say. I was also 2 hours away, and my fiance drove me. They said that the drive home would be fine, as they worry more about prolonged exposure. Luckily, I had a small dose and was only in isolation for 2 days. I believe I was told to stay at least 7 feet away from people and pets. There is a lot of info on thyca.org, if you want to point him there.
Not too much longer for him now, although I'm sure it can't come soon enough for him. Keep us posted.
Lori
As KelDC said, I would call the office and see what they have to say. I was also 2 hours away, and my fiance drove me. They said that the drive home would be fine, as they worry more about prolonged exposure. Luckily, I had a small dose and was only in isolation for 2 days. I believe I was told to stay at least 7 feet away from people and pets. There is a lot of info on thyca.org, if you want to point him there.
Not too much longer for him now, although I'm sure it can't come soon enough for him. Keep us posted.
Lori
It's tough to watch someone you love suffer, isn't it? Especially when you feel so helpless....my husband said the same to me during my treatment. You have come to the right place for support and answers, though!
I would call your son's doctor's office and check with them about the distance and the drive. I was an hour away from my doctor who gave me RAI, and my husband was allowed to come with me and drive me home (I had to sit in the backseat on the opposite side of the vehicle). My husband and I shared our home during my isolation, as well. I moved into the guest room, where I put plastic over everything (mattress, pillow, chair) and wore rubber gloves whenever I left the room. I cleaned the bathroom each time I used it, and I did not touch any food that was not mine. I stayed in the guest room for about 9 days following my treatment, even though the doctor told me 5. I figured better safe than sorry.
I wish you and your son the best of luck!
I would call your son's doctor's office and check with them about the distance and the drive. I was an hour away from my doctor who gave me RAI, and my husband was allowed to come with me and drive me home (I had to sit in the backseat on the opposite side of the vehicle). My husband and I shared our home during my isolation, as well. I moved into the guest room, where I put plastic over everything (mattress, pillow, chair) and wore rubber gloves whenever I left the room. I cleaned the bathroom each time I used it, and I did not touch any food that was not mine. I stayed in the guest room for about 9 days following my treatment, even though the doctor told me 5. I figured better safe than sorry.
I wish you and your son the best of luck!
My son had his thyroid removed due to cancer of the thyroid and is in the final days of a very strict diet prior to having iodine test. Anyone who has done this knows what terrible shape he is in. He has 5 more days to go. My question is because he has to be isolated after the test I am concerned about him driving the two hours to the test location and two hours back in his weak state. When he is told to isolate himself does that mean to the point that no one can go with him to help him drive back home? Somehow I want to help him and don't know how I can. I am not in the same state with him at this point. He is being as tough as he possibly can but it is his mother and wife who need some encouragment it seems.
My son had his thyroid removed due to cancer of the thyroid and is in the final days of a very strict diet prior to having iodine test. Anyone who has done this knows what terrible shape he is in. He has 5 more days to go. My question is because he has to be isolated after the test I am concerned about him driving the two hours to the test location and two hours back in his weak state. When he is told to isolate himself does that mean to the point that no one can go with him to help him drive back home? Somehow I want to help him and don't know how I can. I am not in the same state with him at this point. He is being as tough as he possibly can but it is his mother and wife who need some encouragment it seems.
Yes. There are numerous symptoms that go along with being hypo. Unfortunately, he's going to continue feeling bad until he gets on the meds. When was his TT?
My son goes for the iodine test on 9/4. This special diet he is on is brutal as you know.
This morning he is light headed and dizzy when he gets up. Did you experience anything like that?
This morning he is light headed and dizzy when he gets up. Did you experience anything like that?
Unfortunately, it varies from person to person - which is why AR said three months to a year.
I can share with you my experience. I had mine out on 8/6/07 and had RAI 6 weeks later. Just like your son, no meds were given as they wanted me hypo for the RAI. Right around week 4, I started really feeling the symptoms of being without the hormones. I had body aches, weakness, headaches, cold, hair falling out, but the worse was the nausea. Obviously, the symptoms got worse for the next 3 weeks.
One thing I wish I knew then was to call for an anti-nausea medication. I waited and was miserable, but once I got that it was much better. I actually took it for a week after starting the Levoxyl, while my tsh started to come down. After that I was fine.
At the hospital where I had my RAI, they want your tsh to be at least 30 to have it done. Mine was 131 on the Thursday before, then 145 by Monday when the process started. So, it can rise very quickly! I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly it came back down though.
I've been really lucky as far as the meds go. They started me on Levoxyl 175 and have been on that dose ever since. I feel really good (knock on wood!). I go in for my one year body scan the second week in October, so we'll see how good of a job my surgeon did!!
Good luck to you and your son, and post if you have more questions! Lots of us have been through it and will help.
Lori
I can share with you my experience. I had mine out on 8/6/07 and had RAI 6 weeks later. Just like your son, no meds were given as they wanted me hypo for the RAI. Right around week 4, I started really feeling the symptoms of being without the hormones. I had body aches, weakness, headaches, cold, hair falling out, but the worse was the nausea. Obviously, the symptoms got worse for the next 3 weeks.
One thing I wish I knew then was to call for an anti-nausea medication. I waited and was miserable, but once I got that it was much better. I actually took it for a week after starting the Levoxyl, while my tsh started to come down. After that I was fine.
At the hospital where I had my RAI, they want your tsh to be at least 30 to have it done. Mine was 131 on the Thursday before, then 145 by Monday when the process started. So, it can rise very quickly! I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly it came back down though.
I've been really lucky as far as the meds go. They started me on Levoxyl 175 and have been on that dose ever since. I feel really good (knock on wood!). I go in for my one year body scan the second week in October, so we'll see how good of a job my surgeon did!!
Good luck to you and your son, and post if you have more questions! Lots of us have been through it and will help.
Lori
It will take a while to get his medication regulated, anywhere from three months to a year.
After his hormones are stable and good, then he should feel better quickly.
My TSH dropped from 46.0 to 6.2 in a week, and then five more points in another two weeks. Then it dropped too low and they had to change my meds...
The point being; it shouldn't take very long to go from extremely hypo to almost normal. It's the fine tuning that takes a while.
After his hormones are stable and good, then he should feel better quickly.
My TSH dropped from 46.0 to 6.2 in a week, and then five more points in another two weeks. Then it dropped too low and they had to change my meds...
The point being; it shouldn't take very long to go from extremely hypo to almost normal. It's the fine tuning that takes a while.
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