Preparing for radioactive iodine treatment for thyroid cancer

[mshell72]

I had total thyroidectomy 3 weeks ago.  Dr took me off all thyroid meds for 6 weeks then bloodwork to see if levels are where they need to be for radioactive iodine treatment.  He did not give me short acting thyroid meds or anything...three weeks with nothing and i can hardly function.  Is it normal to let a patient be off thyroid homrones for that long to prepare for this treatment.

[lolabunny422]

oh my gosh, all your symptoms are pretty much the exact opposite of mine! I've been off my Snythroid since 2/22 and I'm scheduled for the body scan and such on the 31st of this month... but I honestly feel sooo much better w/o taking the meds than the last two months. Which is really really strange. I mean, every now and than I'm extremely tired and have body aches but other than that I feel really good! The only thing that I have noticed is I've been getting migraines a lot, for like a week straight, every day. Has anyone else experienced this?

[AJ1234]

I should have just replied to this post instead of starting my own earlier because I'm going through the same thing.  Glad to know I'm not alone!  I'm on day 33 (I think?) with no levothyroxine since TT on 2-3-10.  My TSH is 50 as of this morning.  RAI is scheduled for next Monday the 15th.  My legs are cramping, my vision feels off, ears are ringing, etc.  I can't wait to get back on my medicine.  I just hope that improves these issues.  Now I'm wondering how I'm going to get through the next week at work?  It's comforting to know there are others that have been there.  I hope you feel better soon and the next weeks fly by!

[Justi_has_a_booboo]

Heya love! Welcome to the club. You paid your dues, you're in my club :) I had RAI on Feb 10th after a grueling 21 days of no meds. I thought I wouldn't make it. I cried a lot, miserable, pain, felt awful, brain was jello...then pudding. I totally understand how you might be feeling.

I have been back on my meds for 3 weeks and count...almost 4 weeks. Trust me, once you are back on your meds, each day..well 1-2 days you feel a boost of getting back to normal.

Just hang in there! You are going through the hardest part. I tell everyone having my thyroid out was easy, taking the stupid rai pill weird...but easy...now, me getting through hypo-hell... that is the hardest part!

PS MANmom you need a badge or  medal OMG 7 weeks!?!?!?!?!?! XOXO

[MANmom]

I was not given any meds for SEVEN weeks...I felt horrible. At about 4 weeks, it started getting bad.  Pretty normal to go that long, they want your thyroid to be hungry, or whatever is left anyway.  My TSH got up to 186!  I couldn't think, slept all day, snored horribly, was clumsy...you name it!  Chin up, this will be the worst that you feel, and as soon as you take the RAI you will have your meds the next day or so.