Precautions before 131Iodine treatment

[ze_costa]

My wife is about to be treated with radioactive iodine, to eliminate any remaining thyroid cells that were not removed through total thyroidectomy, because of a palilar tumor. I would like to have any thoughts of people that have also been treated with iodine. What are the bigger side effects?

thaks a lot

Zé  

[nissah46]

I have been curious about the circumstances where people stay in hotels after RAI.  Does the hotel take precautions to protect the guest who is staying in the room following the RAI patient? Considering how potent the RAI is, could people not be at risk?
Trish

[peggy64]

Just a thought, but if she isn't already she can add vit c and zinc to help with her immunity.

God bless

[ken3430]

I had a total thyroidectomy in 2005 Aug, and RAI treatment was fine. I had to be away from my family for a week. I stayed in a hotel. The side effects were slight sore throat, and tiredness. Really very easy process. You take this pill from a lead prescription bottle  and get out of the hospital as fast as you can! after a day thow away the clothes you are in  and change sheets. Drink lots of water and take a couple showers a day as all excess radiation is excreted through sweat and toilet operations.

best
K

[Mahogany2680]

I was treated in Sept 07 with RAI and I was near thyroid storm stage and I was isolated for 4 days.The 2nd days it made me very nauseous and throwing up,sucking on hard candy or ginger candy helped.Also you cannot wash any clothes that is worn during that week with any other clothes or anyone else's.Using the restroom was also serious after using the restroom you are suppose to flush twice as to not transfer radiation to anyone else....

I hope this helps your wife..Good Luck to her she will see the difference within 2weeks...

Let me know how it goes...

[ze_costa]

Yes it seems so. I was really surprised with the fast replies about my situation, thank you all, once again.

[ChitChatNine]

WELCOME TO THE COMMUNITY .. looks like you got some great replies!

Cheryl

[ze_costa]

I'm really thankfull for all your help on this. I'm portuguese and my wife is going to be treated here, the procedures here are a bit different from those reported here. she'll have to stay in complete isolation for three days at the hospital and for at least two weeks after that at home. The hard candies are also a usual procedure here, they advise that she should suck on lemon hard candy, because it stimulates the glands a bit more. I already talked to a friend that has done the same treatment as my wife and she told me that she felt really tired after the treatment, and for at least 6 months she didn't have menstruation, her immune system was completely devastated. After this description I got very scared of the possible side effects, but it doesn't seem that this kind of situation is common.
Once again, thanks a lot.
Zé    

[bretbunch]

Thank you for the response anyway!  

[nissah46]

Sorry, I can't be of any help as I was treated for thyroid cancer. I take 150mg-175mg of synthroid for cancer suppression.  I had a total thyroidectomy, so that is why the high dose of synthroid.
Trish

[bretbunch]

Hi Trish.

were you treated for Graves?  Have you had any problems with your thyroid meds since your RAI?  I was doing well on Synthroid with TSH at 5.16 at the end of Jan. 08.  My doc then switched me to Levoxyl 125 mcg, had bad reactions 2 1/2 mos later--hyperthyroid type symptoms.  Back on Synthroid at 50 mcg and still waiting for my breathing to get totally better, but starting to feel swelling of the thyroid (slightly) on the right side.  Endo says that the breathing can't be related, but research says it is.  She is thinking of taking me off synthroid to see if symptoms go away.  Any suggestions or experience?

[nissah46]

I had RAI in Oct.2006 and got along very well.  I was kept in for 2 days and then was isolated at home for a few more days.  I lost my sense of taste for about a month. About 6 months later I had problems with my saliva glands for a couple of months.  They were blocked and became swollen during meals, and took a couple of hours to go back each time.  Sometimes there is a metalic taste in the mouth, but it does go away.  Good luck.
Trish

[bretbunch]

Hello.

I had RAI treatment in Dec 2005 and tolerated it pretty well.  There are few side effects.  I had to isolate myself from the rest of the family for 3 days due to the radiation and told to suck on hard candy for the first couple of days in order to keep the salivary glands functioning okay.  Aside from that, I didn't have any severe side effects.  

I would suggest looking up RAI on the internet.  You will be able to locate any and all possible side effects from the treatment, which are few.

Best of luck to your wife with her procedure!!