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How scary is the rai scan ?

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  • sunnyaz
    sunnyaz CSN Member Posts: 582
    #22
    snoopy100 said:

    All the information on this site has been so helpful.
    I just want to thank everyone for spending their time and energy helping us newbies through this scary stuff. My RAI has not been scheduled yet. I am scared and looking foward to when it's over. I live alone and my cat will stay at my friends house for a few weeks.
    Barbara

    No need to be afraid.
    Hi Barbara,

    There is no need to be afraid. You won't really notice a difference in your physical being. It's a simple treatment and as a bonus you get a little alone time. I really enjoyed my isolation time. I admit I was a little weirded out before my first treatment because I didn't know what to expect, that's normal. The second time around I saw it as a nice vacation. No dishes, no laundry, no having to go to work. I lead a very hectic and busy life, so when I had to be isolated it wasn't like punishment, it was a joy! Oh darn, can't be around people for a while;) I know it sounds crazy, but I took full advantage of the time to myself.

    You are going to be fine.

    Blessings,
    Julie-SunnyAZ
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  • Thyca78
    Thyca78 CSN Member Posts: 3
    #23
    Worst part is waiting for results!
    I just had my RAI and my WBS and CT and Now I am just waiting for results. This seems to be the worst part.

    Here is how it went for me.

    TT over the summer. 15 central lymph nodes removed 6 tested positive for papillary cancer.

    Endo wanted me to do RAI but there was a shortage in the thyrogen injections. She said it would be ok to wait a few months. I had RAI 4 months after surgery. LID 1 week before treatment (I did 2)

    day 1 blood work and injection of thyrogen in the butt
    day 2 2nd injection of thyrogen and tracer does of I131
    day 3 Whole Body Scan and acutal dosage of I131, scan showed some uptake in thyroid bed. I was given 125mci

    I was kept in the hospital for a couple of hours. Then sent home with the follwing instructions

    I could eat a normal meal 24 hours after treatment
    I was to stay away from people and sleep alone for 24-48 hours
    After that i had no restrictions but I stayed home alone for 5 days.

    5 days later I had another WBS along with a neck and chest CT scan

    The scans were not bad at all. It's a bit relaxing. It's completely open, a square plate goes over your body and you have remain still. Last about 30 min. I feel like the chest and neck CT lasted a little longer or I may have just been tired of keeping still.

    I did get a little nauseaus on day 2 of treatment, but not too bad, just didn't have much of an appitite, which sucked because I was looking forward to eating! Other than that no major side effects, a nasty metal taste in my mouth for a couple of days. I did get some heart burn and refulx but I don't know if that had to do with the treatment or not eating for 2 weeks and than eating so much.

    I have to say the worst part is waiting for results.
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