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Any advice before RAI treatment???
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Jan 02, 2010 - 1:18 am
Hi, I am 3 weeks post completion thyroidectomy for papillary ca. Basically feeling good, I am an athlete.....continuing with my running etc (sometimes feeling like I'm in slow motion . I have been off the Cytomel now for over a week and my RAI is on the 11th of January. I would appreciate any advice from those who have already been thru it. I constantly search the web for info! |
Joined: Aug 2009
You will probably need to stop running (temporarily) soon. I overdid it with activity before my RAI and it was not good. You should rest. Good Luck! You will be fine.
Joined: Apr 2009
Are you staying at home during your RAI?
Lisa
Joined: Jan 2010
Yes, I will be at home. Have read lots of info online........haven't yet heard what my hospital recommends. Any person recommendations??
Sandy
Joined: Jan 2010
Thanks for your comment. What did you feel? Why do you say you over did it? Thanks again
Joined: Aug 2009
Once I got off the Cytomel in preparation for the RAI, I gradually started to feel more and more fatigued. I am a swimmer and could not possibly go to the pool. I also have my family that I take care of and I did not stop cooking, cleaning, laundry, paying bills, (plus I had a small part-time bookkeeping job). So I dragged myself through these activities and my blood pressure spiked dangerously high. I was at the point where I could not get up, so my husband and girlfriends turned on the air conditioner in my house (it was a nice summer day) and rubbed me down with ice and just stroked my arms to relax me. I had to stay in bed until my RAI which was only 2 days away. The doctor wanted me to go to the hospital if my blood pressure did not go down, but it did because of the great care I received from my hubby and friends. After RAI, I stayed in my bedroom and my hubby did everything. So all I am saying is that if I can help anyone on this site and I hope I can, I hope I can help you by telling you to honestly allow yourself to take it easy before you collapse like I did. Just rest. You owe it to yourself and you will be up and about in no time. I am so glad you wrote back because I've been thinking about you all day!
Oh just want to add one more thing. Perhaps you will be one of the many who are not affected by the depletion of metabolic hormones in prep for the RAI. That would be great, however, if you feel that fatigue just go with it.
Joined: Jan 2010
Once again, thanks for your reply. Since I've been going thru this I have been searching the web for others involved in sport...........to hear their experiences. I think that I have been listening to my body, but am still pushing. Today I did a blood test , and we'll see what my TSH is, maybe it hasn't gone up much yet and therefore i feel ok. Anyway, thanks
Sandy
Joined: Jan 2010
I had RAI (154 mCi) on Dec. 18. I teach high school. I knew that I would need to change my usual activities, i.e. I spend all day with teenagers and then grade papers for three hours every night. Despite the financial hit, I worked part-time from when I returned to school post surgery until finishing RAI. It was the right decision. I felt progressively worse in the three weeks I was off cytomel prior to RAI. The changes were incremental and cumulative. This is a time in your life when it is okay not to push yourself.
Joined: Jan 2010
well my TSH is up to 22 and I have one week to go. Thank you for your advice. I understand what are you are saying, just good to have it reinforced.
So far so good
Joined: Jan 2010
Hi,
I had the RAI a year ago. I, too, felt pretty good the 2nd week. At about the 2 1/2 week mark, however, I could sense a huge change coming. The best way I know to describe it is that I felt like I was walking through quicksand, or walking against water. I remember thinking that I was probably walking at my normal rate of speed, and to anyone else I'd look normal, but inside, I felt like I was trudging along with a force pushing me backward. Also, I noticed my concentration level beginning to slip. At work, I would have to double-check things that I otherwise did pretty routinely. I had the labwork done at that point and my TSH had shot above 50. So, just be prepared for changes ahead.
As far as the actual RAI, I wish I had known some things going in. First, if you are accustomed to swallowing a pill by first placing it on your tongue with your fingers, then drinking the water, prepare yourself that you may not be able to do that. They told me not to touch the pill itself, so I had to toss it back in my mouth from the little cup they provided, which was not easy for me to do without feeling like I would choke on it. Also, I got two pretty rotten side effects, which they tell me are rare, but lucky me, I got both. So, just in case, I'll give you the heads up. I was terribly nauseous in the first few days after taking the RAI pill. What makes it worse is that you are supposed to be drinking tons of water to flush it out of your system, but with nausea, you really don't feel like drinking. I would suggest asking your doctor for an anti-nausea prescription, just in case . If this isn't possible, make your own preparations. I actually took migraine headache pills because they help my nausea, even if I don't have a headache. You can get Excedrin Migraine, Target brand, or whatever you choose. Also, Dentyne Ice Peppermint gum, or peppermints, leftover candy canes, could help. Though it may sound silly, look up pregnancy morning sickness online and get some anti-nausea ideas there. If my memory serves, I believe Ginger is one of the items that helps with nausea. The other side effect I had was that I lost my taste buds for THREE weeks. That was weird, and crummy. I'm sure everyone is different, but the only food I could even remotely get some flavor from was canned spaghettios (like the kids eat) - the Franco American brand, and those cinnamon rolls that come about 6 to a package and are covered with white icing. Perhaps Dolly Madison brand, I'm not sure. I have never been a person who is very into food as I'm a picky eater, but even I struggled with losing my taste buds because something with as strong a flavor as tomato soup, would just taste like nothing, and almost felt like it was cold on my tongue (even though cooked), almost as if the RAI pill had burned a layer right off my tongue or something. I'm sure that is not the literal, medical event that took place, but that's the only way I know how to desribe it.
Aside from those physical changes, I approached the whole RAI process VERY cautiously because I had a 6 year old and a 1 year old at the time. I was not taking ANY Chances coming into contact with them. I wore clothes I could throw away, and ate with a limited number of the same plastic utensils, and basically didn't let anything I touched cross paths with what my family touched. In other words, I wasn't putting my clothes into the same washer as theirs, use the same dishwasher, etc. But again, I was approaching it with as healthy a sense of paranoia as you can. Mostly due to my baby, who would need to be held, etc. I did not come near her until they "scanned" me as having ZERO radiation left in my body. Technically, they tell you you can sit next to your family members again at around the 3 day mark, but I spent the entire 8 days away from them until I had nothing left in me that could be hazardous even a tiny bit. I know this is just my personal feeling, and not what doctors advise, but it is what made me feel most comfortable, so I'd say to you, just do whatever your own comfort level allows. If you want to be extreme, don't let anyone tell you not to be, but if you are much more care-free, then just go with that and help yourself have as pleasant an experience with this as you can. Obviously, none of this is pleasant, but make it easy on yourself wherever you can.
I hope the RAI takes care of it for you and you are Cancer free from here on out.
Best wishes
Joined: Jan 2010
Thank you so much for taking the time to write all that you did. Thats what these boards are wonderful for. I am starved to hear other peoples experiences. Well, I am scheduled for the RAI next monday. I was told that they would do it if my TSH is over 30, so hopefully, I will not feel as you did...........but I have already had some similar feelings, like moving in slow motion.
I have older kids, so I think it will be easier in the house too. Most of the day they are out at school etc, so I don't need to stay in one place. I was told that they give anti nausea meds preventively (as you suggested).
Did you such on candies? I have read that some people recommend that.
I have a positive attitute, my endocrinologist said something like , today Thyroid cancer is treated more like a chronic disease than a cancer...........sort of liked that.
Again
Thanks
Joined: Jan 2010
I wish you the best of luck will you please let me know how it is I to soon will need RAI after my second surgery. I will Pray for you
Joined: Dec 2009
Hi Sandy,
I wanted to share with you my experience with the RAI as well. My reaction was similar to others listed here. I was given 3 pills, which totalled 150 mci's. They came out of what looked like a space ship! lol.. They handed them to me in a cup, you cannot touch them. Soon as you swallow them, they will make you stand up and they will measure your radiation levels with a Geiger counter. It's crazy!! Within a few hours I was very sick! I became extremely ill over the next 8days! After the initial 3 days of isolation (I gave myself extra days paranoid I would damage my husband) It was impossible to drink lots of fluids with all of the nausea. I was taking nausea medications around the clock and they did not help me, when I was not vomiting, I had severe nausea and awful stomachaches and pains. I went from the bed to the bathroom and that was about it for 8 days! I could not even have anything cooked in my home, the smells of everything made me very sick. No food smells, no perfumes, not even soap. It messed up my senses pretty bad. It all subsided except I still cannot taste everything yet. That was 19 days ago! Almost 3 weeks later and I still have a nasty metallic like taste in my mouth and my stomach just recently started acting normal again. The best tasting things are things with lemon/ lime flavor in them. 7Up was actually the only drink I could handle during those days. My husband actually called the dr because I was so sick, and the only thing he said is that it had to run it's coarse and to keep taking the nausea meds'. Good luck and I hope these things do not happen to you, but you do have to remain isolated and be sure not to prepare anyone’s food other than your own and use all plastic or paper utensils and plates. Throw all of it away after each use and wash your clothes separately from your families. Limit your contact with things for the first few days. Sour candies were recommended to keep your taste buds working. Good luck. Everyone reacts differently.
Joined: Jan 2010
I will keep you all informed.........I'm on my way to buy 7 up and sour candies!!
Joined: Jan 2010
an update:
my TSH did go up to about 75 and surprisingly I felt pretty good. I was working, swimming, doing most things.
The fateful day, thanks for the description of how to take the pill, pretty strange the whole thing. Took the pill and then they said "ok, you're in isolation, go home!" like do not pass GO do not get $100. Ever since I have pretty much been isolated in my bedroom. As far as how I feel...........just a tinge of nausea (had anti nausea pills), but the main thing is the fatigue. I suppose that as my TSH was rising, I was out of the house and on the go and then boom, I crashed!
Good news is that today I started the Eltroxin, 50mcg which I'm suppossed to increase until 150 until I see my endo, so I'm hoping to begin getting some strength.
sandy
Joined: Jan 2010
Hi Sandy
I'm getting ready to start my thyroid scan on Monday. I had a TT 10/97 & hi dose RAI 12/97 so was not too excited to get the news my thyroid tissue was back. Twelve years ago, when I was admitted for the final high dose, I was taken to my lead lined room. The med tech held out a little lead looking cup for me to drink out using tongs to increase his distance from me. Yeah, I thought, this stuff is safe to drink! A pill sounds much more appetizing. I am very glad the need to go off medication is history as I swore I would never go through it again. Will find out soon enough re repeat surgery & ablation. Never vomited, but I felt worse during the lead up to the ablation off my cytomel. My TSH was >150 when I was admitted. Lived on ativan during those weeks and was still working 40hr+ each week (I'm an RN, and had been in oncology for 10+yrs at the time) Took at least 6mos to get rid of the silver taste to everything.
I do worry about the fact that nowadays I will be sent home instead of admitted. I sent my kids to CA to be w/their dad back then. Now I have dogs, cat & birds plus a husband to worry about. I am wondering if since the prep isn't as bad as previously, if that's why you were so sick with the RAI? Really not looking forward to any of this...thought I was done.
Carol
Joined: Jan 2010
Hope it will be easier this time. Today was my first day "out" and boy was I happy. So far, so good, I haven't had any major side effects. I am now on 150mcg of eltroxin and hoping that it will quickly get into my system.
sandy
Joined: Feb 2010
Hello Sandy. I am on day 14 of being off my synthroid, in prep for upcoming RAI treatment. I've been reading your posts and see that you did't seem to have experienced any major problems with the RAI. Just wanted to check to see how you have done post RAI & how you are doing now. I am scheduled for labs on the 22nd & if my TSH levels have reached 30, we plan to proceed with RAI on the 25th or 26th. Would love some feedback from you on how you are doing now.
Thanks
Joined: Jan 2010
Today I am exactly 5 weeks post RAI and feeling good. I am taking 150 mcg of eltroxin.....and have not experienced any major side effects. After about a week, post RAI, I felt like I had an after taste in my mouth, but that didn't last.
As I've written in other posts, i do alot of sports, and for me thats the best indicator of how I'm doing. I am pretty much back to what I was doing pre TT, swimming, running, biking. I won't say that it feels exactly the same, but pretty close. This saturday I am running a 10K!
I think the hardest part is the Pre- RAI, I felt like a junky when I started the eltroxin! I am tired at night, but I'm back at work and doing everything!
Hope it goes easily for you, drink alot, suck on candies, read alot of good books and the week will be over before you know it.
Let me know how it goes.
Sandy
p.s I haven't been back to my endo yet, I will be seeing her in March.
Joined: Feb 2010
I'm new at this & scrolled down as you suggested to read postings. Thank you for your update & like you, I don't seem to be experiencing any major symptoms with my rising TSH levels. I expect that to change any day now, but like you I'm trying to remain active, eating healthy, but I am following the low iodine diet, per my endo's instructions. Sounds as though your nausea wasn't too terribly bad, so I'm hoping to experience the same. I've stocked up on sugarless sour candies & chewing gum. Will also stock up on 7-up, just in case. I'm expecting to have the RAI on outpatient basis either Wed. or Thurs. of next week (25th or 26th), but that of course will depend upon the results of my TSH levels on Monday. I'll keep you posted & thanks again for your insight.
Kathy
Joined: Jan 2010
Hope it is not too difficult for you. Just use the time for relaxing, reading, etc. Let me know how it goes
Sandy
Joined: Feb 2010
hi kath
are you done with your RAI? me? im scheduled this month at 26, hope you update me wuth your experience... thank you
Joined: Mar 2011
I am going for my pre RAI shots tomorrow Monday, March 14, 2011, and the other shot on Tuesday. I will be taking the Iodine pill on Wednesday. I understand that I still need to continue on the LID. The info on the web are very contradicting. If anyone has a better more scientific website that really tells you the iodine content of food, it would really help me and others. Like everyone says, the doctors do not give you too much info. I was not even given a diet, I was told to look it up on Google. What kind of crap is that. We are already scared shitless, and we have to find it ourselves? We have to be our own advocates, unfortunately, because not even the doctors give a crap. It is just a job to them; and I am just one more person in their workday.
I will put a comment after my treatment for those who are as lost as I.
Thanks.
;)
Joined: Oct 2010
The best source for the LID diet is on the www.thyca.com website. It outlines the foods you need to avoid and the foods that are okay. It is in the cookbook that you can download in PDF format. This is what all of us Thyroid Cancer patients use as a reference. There are lots of posts on this forum relating to RAI treatment and the LID. You will mostly avoid Iodized salt, potato skins, strawberries, any type of pre-made foods, frozen or restaurant. I hope this helps. It has been my best friends for the last year and a half. Best of luck to you.
Sincerely,
Julie-SunnyAZ
Joined: Mar 2011
Thanks Sunnyaz for your input on the diet. I do have the pdf and I found some good info on the Livestrong.org website too, but also some contradictions there. I guess it is all in the amount that you are supposed to use. I'll get better at it.
Anyway, to keep everyone up to date with the shot: today March 14, 2011, I had my first shot of Thyrogen and it went well. I had a slight headache about half an hour after the injection, and later I got a little weak. It kind of felt like a very mild feeling when you take Nyquil. After eating I got a little better, but still a bit tired.
Other than that, nothing else. I will get the second shot tomorrow, then wednesday, the iodine pill. Will keep posted.
Thanks everyone for listening. I hope at least it will help someone.
Joined: Oct 2010
You are welcome. The headache is normal. You can take Ibuprofen (as long as you aren't on blood thinners, Acetaminophen if you are)about a half hour before your next injection to combat this. Tired is normal too. Nothing you can do about that. It's only temporary. FYI, it's not just one pill. Depending on your dose, could be six or eight pills. I know they tell you to drink lots of water after your dose, just be careful not to go overboard and make yourself nauseated. About eight ounces every two hours is more than enough. Keep sucking on candies that make you salivate as long as you are awake. This will stimulate your salivary glands and reduce damage to them. Good luck and keep smiling! This will be over soon.
Julie-SunnyAZ
Joined: Mar 2011
Hi SandyKR,
I'm glad to hear your RAI went so well.
In one respect mine will be easier, I will not have to go off Levothyroxine as a preparation. Instead, on the third week of LID, I will be given two Thyrogen injections Monday & Tuesday morning. Tuesday afternoon they'll do a Stat serum hCG TSH blood test to make sure my TSH levels are high enough, then a 2 mCi 123-I dose in preparation for a body scan Wednesday which will be used to determine the 131-I dose. Thursday @ noon more blood for Serum Thyroglobulin levels. Then @ 1 pm the 131-I treatment followed by a physicians appointment and resumption of a normal diet. One week later, a post treatment body scan followed by another physicians appointment.
Please forgive me for going into detail for the RAI regimen, but it seems that most people here are having to go off their thyroid replacement hormone in preparation for RAI. I thought it would be a good idea to tell everyone exactly what I will be experiencing. Unfortunately I don't know the amount of Thyrogen in the injections.
I will check back in to let everyone know what side effects I will have, if any. I've read that nausea is not that common but salivary gland swelling is.
Baldy
Joined: Apr 2010
for my 1 year out scan I will be getting the thyrogen injections as well
Remember stay on the LID untill the doc tells you that you can go back to normal diet.
I dread my next run through on the LID but at least i will get the shots this time
thanks for the info and keep us informed on any problems with the shots
Craig
Joined: Mar 2011
Hi to anyone listening:
I am already back at home from RAI. It went well. I did not get sick. The nuclear medicine doc told me he had not heard of anyone getting sick from it, so that made me feel better before I took it and it calmed me down. All I did was watch TV and drink water; a very boring vacation. For anyone curious like me: the room had plastic on floor where you would walk all the way to the bathroom and anything you would touch. They put plenty of water, ice and juices. I would have to throw away my food tray a red bin. They had another red bin for hospital garbage like gloves, thermometer plastic covers, etc., and two white bins for linens. The nurses would only come in when bringing you the meals, one breakfast, one lunch, one dinner. I recommend to keep a fruit or something from that meal for later as a snack. I know in my hospital I would not get any more food; only 3 meals. The only discomfort was the Intravenous thingy they put on my hand which was uncomfortable, but other than that it I was fine.
Regarding the food: they had it labeled LOW IODINE, no salt, but I don't think the kitchen knew what low iodine diet was. I was served broccoli once. I was given white bread with margarine "Promise" brand which is made "mainly" from vegetable oil, but also contains milk and salt. So I could not eat it either. So be cautious and informed about what meals you can and should eat. Nurses don't know.
The nuclear people came yesterday before I was released and measured the levels with a geiger meter, (I think that's what the guy said) and told me I could not go home yet. (that was at 12 pm) but he said someone would come at 4 pm to measure me again. His assistant came in at about 5 pm and measured me again and it was a 4, which I believe was low, so they discharged me.
I do have some metal taste in mouth, but other than that, I am good. I will post more later on what to do once at home, from the info they gave me.
Thanks for listening and hope it helps someone.
Smileyscar
Joined: May 2010
Glad you are doing well. I had the same issue with food while in the hospital. They thought low iodine meant low salt. I had to explain what it really was and they still didn't get it.
But I did get sick from the radiation so I didn't eat much (and not from drinking too much water, only had one bottle before I lost my stomach).
And I'm an extremely picky eater so I packed a lot of food and had the nurses place it in the fridge and they would bring me some when I asked.
The funniest thing from my hospital stay was the look on my sisters face when she came to pick me up and I asked her where my clothes where (since you can't take anything out of the room with you). She forgot to bring me clothes. Luckily the nurses saved her and gave me scrubs to wear home. Every time I think about that moment and the look on her face it makes me smile. We laugh at it now.
It may take a little while to get rid of the metal taste but it does go away. And you will soon enjoy the taste of real food again.
Keep us updated.
Joined: Oct 2010
I didn't know that some places were still doing hospital stays for RAI. I was sent directly home after taking both doses. I am glad you are doing well!
Julie-sunnyAZ
Joined: Mar 2011
Thanks guys for the support even if it is a comment here. I have one more day of seclusion and then on Monday I go do a full body scan, which sounds very scary to me. But I must endure it as part of life. One funny thing is, I love metal music, and now I can say that I love metal so much, I can taste it. Hee hee.
Thanks for listening.
)
Joined: Mar 2011
I know I said I was going to share info on what to do once back at home from RAI. I received info from the hospital and it is kind of same info you see on the internet during your own research, and some of my own comments.
It is said that the amount of radioiodine in your body during the treatment is small. Although there is no evidence that the radiation from this amount of radioiodine will cause any problems, you should still minimize exposure, no matter how small. My view is since we don’t know how we got this disease in the first place, we should follow rules, because it could have been from some careless person.
From my readings, It is said that exposure to others can cause their thyroid to pick up the radioiodine. That’s why stay away from children, pregnant women, and older folks that may be vulnerable, and even pets, especially cats. (Their thyroid can pick up the radiation)
It says that the radiation received is very small, similar to the radiation from medical and dental X-rays which are the most common and familiar sources of external radiation exposure. (but think about it, why do we have to put a lead vest on, or the tech walks out of the room when we have X-rays done?)
1-Distance--the greater the distance, the less radiation.
2-Time--radiation exposure to others depends on how long you remain close to them.
3-Hygiene--wash hands when using bathroom, blowing nose,scratching, etc.
I asked the nuclear tech about the sheets on my bed after the treatment, and he said it would be better if you use an old sheet, and then discard it after the treatment. Although it says to wash your clothes separately, I would guess you could wash the sheets also, several times, since the radioiodine disappears by itself in time. Its quantity is reduced by one half every 8 days.
Sorry for the long note, I had to cut it as short as I could. I hope it helps someone.
Joined: Jun 2011
I AM GETTING READY TO START THE LOW IODINE DIET FOR 9 DAYS BEFORE RECEIVING RAI TREATMENT -150, HOWEVER THEY MEASURE RADIOACTIVE IODINE. (I'M ABOUT 140 LBS)/ AND HOSPITAL ISOLATION. I HAD SURGERY 4 WEEKS AGO REMOVING THYROID AND 28 LYMPH N0DES, 6 WITH CANCER. WAS TOLD I WOULD PROBABLY BE THERE 2 NIGHTS. I AM WORRIED ABOUT GETTING NAUSEOUS AND THROWING UP. MY THROAT STILL FEELS SWOLLEN, I FEEL LIKE I WOULD CHOKE. HOW MANY PEOPLE WENT THROUGH THAT? HOW SICK DO YOU FEEL? WILL MY THROAT SWELL EVEN MORE? I'M SO DREADING THIS. ALSO, IS THERE ANY BREAD THAT YOU CAN BUY TO EAT ON THIS DIET? I'M NOT MUCH OF A COOK ANYWAY. I LIVE ON PIZZA, CEREAL AND CHOCOLATE MILK! I HAVE READ THIS WHOLE BLOG AND APPRECIATE ALL OF THE INFO YA'LL HAVE PUT OUT THERE. I HAVE A GREAT DOCTOR, BUT THEY DON'T GET INTO THESE KINDS OF DETAILS.
Joined: Apr 2010
www.thyca.org has the best list for the diet that i have found
didn’t have problem with my throat even though it did swell when they removed my thyroid the goiter was 7.1 cm so there was a lot of swell room before it would get tight.
From what you "live on" it may be a tough 9 days... as far as low iodine bread the only type I know of is some of the home bread makers can get a low iodine version. I don’t know of a store-bought one though.
I had 175mCi and I did not get sick but some people do.
My salivary glands did swell up though after RAI.
good luck
Craig
... hate forgeting to spellcheck...
Joined: Oct 2010
Regarding the bread. No, I have not found one on the market that doesn't have salt or iodine. You can buy a bread machine and it's much easier than baking. Just use non-iodized salt. Then you can buy all natural peanut butter without salt and make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I also like peanut butter with frozen banana slices as a treat. If you like bananas, you can freeze them and then put them into a food processor and it tastes like banana ice cream.
RAI did not make me nauseated. I know that some people focus so much on drinking water in the first couple of days that they can make themselves sick from that and then there is the mental aspect. If you believe you are going to throw up, you probably will, so don't think you will. Remember also that you can drink other things besides water. It's extremely RARE to get sick from the dose because there is nothing in it that causes nausea. My last dose was 178 mCi's. I felt fine after taking it, no side effects at all except that I had a long drive home and I had to pee really badly. I didn't have the option to stay in the hospital.
I have had three surgeries (Total Thyroidectomy and two neck dissections) and I still feel like I have a lump in my throat most days, but it does get better with time. I have gotten used to the sensation and now it's a normal for me. You shouldn't expect to have any more swelling with the dose of RAI, shouldn't have any effect.
No reason to dread this, it's mostly the fear of the unknown. You will find that it's not as bad as you think it will be. Nothing is ever as good or as bad as you think it is going to be. Think of your isolation as some "me" time. Read a good book, catch up on daytime TV and pamper yourself. Take naps! There are times now when I almost wish I could do another treatment just to take the time off and be left alone for seven days. I work in the Medical field and there are some days that are so stressful I would rather have surgery or treatment again. Stupid but, it seems to be the only way to get time off when people leave me the heck alone.
Suck on lots of candies (I like Jolly Ranchers and Lifesavers) that make you salivate to keep your salivary glands producing and flushing. The only side effect is sometimes you have a loss of taste for a while after the dose and some experience a metallic taste for awhile. Certain foods taste a bit strange for a couple of weeks as well. I had a McDonalds breakfast burrito on the way to my scan seven days after my dose and the sausage almost burned my tongue. My Nuclear Medicine Doctor prescribed Steroids to take after my treatments so that my salivary glands and taste buds would not be affected. It worked for me both times because I haven't had any lasting issues. This isn't a common practice but you might ask about it. You will want to get the prescription a couple days before the treatment so that it's with you when you need it.
Keep us posted and feel free to ask questions. We are here for help and support.
Blessings,
Julie-SunnyAZ
Joined: Oct 2010
Hi - I've had 2 rounds of RAI. I didnt feel sick at all after either one - just a bit tired. No additional throat swelling, though my glands were a bit tender. I had to stay in hospital for several nights both times - its the rules where I live. Boring! My sense of taste was affected for a few weeks - its pretty good now.
The diet isnt the easiest - I was fortunate that I like vegetables. I cut out breads as much as I could.I just did not use salt at all. Instead of my Rice Krispies I ate puffed wheat or oatmeal (with lots of sugar). I'm a big cheese eater and really missed that. But you'll manage. Definately check out the recipes on the website - I actually think there is one for pizza - homemade of course.
Do some reading about the RAI, and ask as many questions as you need to.
Good luck.