radioactive iodine treatment

[chris5666]

Just wondering about people's hospital experiences:  what happens? Do you have iv's hanging out of your arm? How is the scan done and what can I expect while in the hospital?  How do they dispose of body wastes?

[blksapphire]

I had RAI due to hot nodule.

No diet beforehand no nothing. I learned of the side effects from this website. Some of the  side effects were given from the endo dr, but not in full detail as this site did.  I was in isolation for a week at home.

Before you get the treatment. Go to the store and purchase:

1) Lots of water.  You will need lots of water to flush the radiation out.
2) purchase some magazines or book/puzzles that you won't mind throwing out when finished.
3) Buy some plastic to cover your mattress.
4) put your remote(s) in plastic zip lock bags ( cover before treatment)
5) buy some lemon drops to help with the salivary glands
6) buy paper plates, forks,  spoons and cups (do not use household utensils)
7) wash your clothes separate from everyone else.
8) buy  some liquid soap for your bathroom and only  you  to use.  throw it away after insolation period.
9) when in isolation, please flush the toilet 2-3 times after each use
10) stay away from babies and pregnant women.
11) bring a couple of trash bags in your room

After you collect your items.  bring everything in the room in which you will be isolated before the treatment.  This way you will not have to come into contact with anyone.

I don’t know how many millicurie of RAI you will get and how long they will want you in isolation, but I received 18 millicurie and the put me on 7 days isolation and an extra 3 days away from pregnant women and babies

I hope this helps.

Take care

Terri
Hot nodules 9/07
RAI 12/07

[amela321]

This last time (my third dose) I was hospitalized for 2 days.  Prior to me taking the pill, the staff had pretty much saran wrapped the entire room.  I wasn't allowed to bring in anything that I planned on taking out, including clothes.  You just take the pill and then watch TV.  No IV's or anything.  The staff put my food on the other side of a lead barrier just inside the door.  It's kinda boring and kinda lonely, but being as hypothyroid as I was, I just slept a lot.  After two days, I went home and stayed isolated in my bedroom the rest of the week.  

Just a touch of nausea, but nothing I couldn't handle.  

Good luck to you.

Amy  

[bet643]

No hospital stay for me. No I.V. hanging out of my arm, just some capsuls to swallow followed by a scan where you lay down and they take the images. No biggy. Just have to stay away from children and women of child bearing age/pregnent. Eating and drinking from paper plates/cups. Instructions will be given to you about what precautions to take. Also, no kissing or sex during that time.  And if sharing a bathroom, you should flush 2 times after use. It seems a bit much at first, but I actually loved being in isolation for awhile. No one to bug me and I was able to catch up on some needed rest. I did have a bit of a soar throat for a week. Like I say, no biggy.

[Liz94]

I wasn't admitted to the hospital either. I also was told to stay isolated for 3-5 days. However, I will warn you....after 5 days I went in for my scan and just for the heck of it I had the radiologist run the geiger counter over me and I was still VERY radioactive and not safe to be around others. It leaves the body fairly quickly but quicker for some than others.

[shannon828]

I was not admitted for a hospital stay.  I was given the pill and then told to stay away from children and pregnant women for 3 days.  I ended up staying somewhere other than my home for a week.  I am not sure why some hospitals admit you and some don't...