How long till I feel "normal" again?

skcalkins
skcalkins Member Posts: 39
edited March 2014 in Thyroid Cancer #1
I have my RAI treatment this coming up Friday-7/9/10. I was wondering how long does it normally take to feel "normal". I have been out of work since 1/7/10 and would like to have a rough esminute as to when I can start looking for a job again. I don't want to starting looking , finding one and then lose it cause I start to feel bad. All I have done is producation, factory type work so thats what really sucks is it's so phyiscal... would have to have something that affects you that way when you make a living being active.

Comments

  • FCT2010
    FCT2010 Member Posts: 21
    #2
    I think that may depend on whether or not you stayed on your thyroid meds and got Thyrogen shots or if you were taken off your thyroid meds completely in preparation for RAI. I was on Cytomel for four weeks after my completion thyroidectomy, then 2 wks off. My RAI was on July 1. I didn't start to feel the affects of being severely hypothyroid until after I got RAI, so day 1 and 2 of RAI I was feeling rather run down. I started taking Levoxyl yesterday (day 3), and was feeling a little more energetic today. My ENDO said the hardest part after RAI is not dealing with the possible side affects, but returning to normal once I start taking Levoxyl - it generally takes 6 weeks for the thyroid hormone level to reach a normal level. That being said, it is different for everyone. For example, I was energetic enough to drive myself to RAI, even though we should not be driving when we are severely hypothyroid.

    Perhaps you can do part time work? You have to start somewhere. And, I don't think you should ever limit your own abilities. Perhaps try a different field of work that is not as taxing. For example, you could brush up on your computer skills and perhaps try to get a job in an office as a receptionist. Or volunteer somewhere to get experience. Just remember, if you can make it through thyroid cancer, you can make it through anything. This is your opportunity to try something different.
  • skcalkins
    skcalkins Member Posts: 39
    #3
    FCT2010 said:

    I think that may depend on whether or not you stayed on your thyroid meds and got Thyrogen shots or if you were taken off your thyroid meds completely in preparation for RAI. I was on Cytomel for four weeks after my completion thyroidectomy, then 2 wks off. My RAI was on July 1. I didn't start to feel the affects of being severely hypothyroid until after I got RAI, so day 1 and 2 of RAI I was feeling rather run down. I started taking Levoxyl yesterday (day 3), and was feeling a little more energetic today. My ENDO said the hardest part after RAI is not dealing with the possible side affects, but returning to normal once I start taking Levoxyl - it generally takes 6 weeks for the thyroid hormone level to reach a normal level. That being said, it is different for everyone. For example, I was energetic enough to drive myself to RAI, even though we should not be driving when we are severely hypothyroid.

    Perhaps you can do part time work? You have to start somewhere. And, I don't think you should ever limit your own abilities. Perhaps try a different field of work that is not as taxing. For example, you could brush up on your computer skills and perhaps try to get a job in an office as a receptionist. Or volunteer somewhere to get experience. Just remember, if you can make it through thyroid cancer, you can make it through anything. This is your opportunity to try something different.

    I have been off my
    I have been off my Synthyroid since May 11th. Hope I can go back on them as soon as I take my RAI. I had my total Thyroid removed on May 6th as was just starting to feel good when my Endo took me off them on the 11th. I have been toying with the idea of going back toschool for Accounting but, can't afford to do that right now so I will have to go back to work as soon as I am able to.
  • nasher
    nasher Member Posts: 505 Member
    #4
    skcalkins said:

    I have been off my
    I have been off my Synthyroid since May 11th. Hope I can go back on them as soon as I take my RAI. I had my total Thyroid removed on May 6th as was just starting to feel good when my Endo took me off them on the 11th. I have been toying with the idea of going back toschool for Accounting but, can't afford to do that right now so I will have to go back to work as soon as I am able to.

    if they are putting you back
    if they are putting you back on your meds right after RAI then probaly a week or 2 and you should be good aslong as it is not very physicaly intensive work...

    for myself i was back to work about 7 days later and feeling up to doing most things within 14 days... but as far as physical exertion i am still recovering my strength 2 months later.

    so my best guess is 7 or so days for most jobs
  • chic1963
    chic1963 Member Posts: 4
    #5
    nasher said:

    if they are putting you back
    if they are putting you back on your meds right after RAI then probaly a week or 2 and you should be good aslong as it is not very physicaly intensive work...

    for myself i was back to work about 7 days later and feeling up to doing most things within 14 days... but as far as physical exertion i am still recovering my strength 2 months later.

    so my best guess is 7 or so days for most jobs

    it's been 1 year for me, and
    it's been 1 year for me, and i still don't feel "normal". I felt better with the tumor on my neck. I feel horable now. All I can say is... get used to it... Don't let it beat you. I have to make myself get up and go to work. If i leave it to my own devices- I will sleep all day, and think about how bad i feel. So the best advice i can give you is... Get up and live! We will never be normal again!
  • gaaa18
    gaaa18 Member Posts: 1
    #6
    chic1963 said:

    it's been 1 year for me, and
    it's been 1 year for me, and i still don't feel "normal". I felt better with the tumor on my neck. I feel horable now. All I can say is... get used to it... Don't let it beat you. I have to make myself get up and go to work. If i leave it to my own devices- I will sleep all day, and think about how bad i feel. So the best advice i can give you is... Get up and live! We will never be normal again!

    you just described how i
    you just described how i feel ,I thought i was the only one who felt that bad.I beat the cance,but i dont feel like myself anymore.
  • nasher
    nasher Member Posts: 505 Member
    #7
    gaaa18 said:

    you just described how i
    you just described how i feel ,I thought i was the only one who felt that bad.I beat the cance,but i dont feel like myself anymore.

    oh i dont feel like myself..
    oh i dont feel like myself.. but i am glad i got rid of cancer.

    I dont feel great but I know I will live and thats what is important.

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