Thyroid Cancer Support Group

Thyroid cancer is cancer of the thyroid gland. There are four forms: papillary, follicular, medullary and anaplastic. If you or anyone you know and love is affected by thyroid cancer, join this community to lean on the support and experiences of others.

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/ Thyroid Cancer Support Group

RAI Treatment

matthewsmomma
matthewsmomma
I went to the nuclear medicine at my hospital this week. I was under the impression I would get the radioactive iodine on Tuesday. That was incorrect. I guess I didn't ask my endo enough questions. On Tuesday and Wednesday I was given iodine (I-123). I went back today (Thursday) for my total body scan. That was a trip. I then talked to the nuc med doctor and he said, good news. I only have some excess thyroid cells in my neck and nowhere else in my body, but I am going to be given 175 mCi Friday. I am anxious to get this done. I just hope I don't vomit. I am going to take anti-nauseau pills to help prevent it. I have to be isolated for 3 days. I go back next Friday for another body scan. Wish me luck!!!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Best of luck to you! Stay strong! Keep the faith!
inkentucky
inkentucky
Matthew good luck on your treatment !

Please let us know how it goes. I am getting ready to start the same process. See my endo friday to get things set up.
matthewsmomma
matthewsmomma
Today is Tuesday. I feel fine. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Just make sure to keep all your clothes and food separate. I didn't like keeping it in the bedroom but I didn't want to take any chances with my family. I had to be isolated for 3 days. I went in on Friday and was able to be with people by Monday. It was a little nerve wracking being in the nuclear medicine part of the hospital and swallowing the pills. I hope to feel back to normal soon since starting my synthyroid again. Friday I have my body scan to see how the treatment went. Good luck!!!
deleted_user
deleted_user
matthewsmomm--Thanks for sharing your experience with those of us who are behind you in the process. I'm glad it wasn't as bad as you thought it would be. Good luck with the scan!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I had the RAI treatment on April 19th after having my thyroid removed on March 8th . Had to wait a while after surgery for RAI treatment, took a while for my TSH to get above 30. Started synthroid and cytomel 24 hrs after treatment but endo thinks its could take 4ever-5 wks to regulate my TSH to a low range (below 0) Side effects from RAI so far have been nausea, headaches and fatigue. Honestly the fatigue was worse before the treatment because of the TSH having to be so high. I'm going back to worked Monday, April 30th hoping I can worked for 8 hrs. I've been out if work since January 25th because the cancer was found in my left ovary. After having mass removed with total hysterectomy, path came back with malignant follicular thyroid cancer which led to the thyroidectomy. Very, very rare cancer called struma ovarii. Very little data on treatment due to the very limited number of cases. So far, so good:)
inkentucky
inkentucky
Mattewsmom, Thanks for the update. How are your salivary glands? I keep reading stuff about them getting sore and swelled from the RAI. This is just plain scary to me. I have a week and a half before I do the RAI.
matthewsmomma
matthewsmomma
Hi inkentucky! I did lose some of my taste buds as of now. I can taste mostly food that has a strong taste. I was sore a couple days after the treatment but ibuprophen does the trick. I have a soapy,metallic taste but that should go away in a couple weeks. How is your non-iodine diet going? I didn't know how much I missed dairy and salt for those two weeks. The treatment was fine. Good luck and keep us posted!!!