Oh my ! This instruction sheet on rai makes it sound freaky.

nasher said:

depends
ok here we go

myself I got 175mCi of RAI

for the hospital I went to the protocol was anything over 150mCi was hospitalized.

once they hospitalize you there is a completely different and more stringent release from hospitalization levels.

the best i can answer is talk to the radiology department to see if they know about how much they plan or are planning right now to give you as well as are they planning to hospitalize you.... remember its a special room and such they put you in they can not just throw you into ANY hospital bed.

yes the diet sucks... and its only 2 weeks + the time they want after RAI for me it was 4 hours after RAI i could have anything on the hospital menu.

as for work I was given 2 weeks off or medical after RAI and then they gave me another few days free as well since they didn't want to be around me.

the only thing I have come up with in the year past is that if i need to do it again I will get something like a thyroid shield (can purchase online for like $50) or something to protect others from the area we are expecting higher levels from.

people who carry dosimitry like myself and CLRRN the people around us will normally want us away for a few more days cause we get radiation normally on a daily basis. I worked Nuclear Power and CLRRN is a nurse.

for myself I sat there an calculated the exposure i was giving myself and the control levels they give us as nuclear workers... within the first hour I would have been past the levels for a month and within 2 i would have been past the year level of control... the levels fall off quickly though

at work one of the places i went do now and then has some of the incredibly sensitive detectors they go off with about 80 bananas passing them... that one i set off for about 120 days so I had to call them before I approached it.

was also told don't go to an airport for about 60 days after RAI.

yes it can be freaky yes it can be scarey. remember its that they have to give you every side effect no matter how common or uncommon...

if you got that for every medicine you are on you would totally freak out

an example do you take aspirin for anything
if they had to give you the same warnings for all meds when they gave you aspirin they would have to tell you...
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Gastrointestinal

Endoscopically identifiable gastric mucosal lesions occur in most patients who receive a single dose of aspirin. Clinically evident gastrointestinal bleeding has been reported in as many as 3% of treated elderly patients. Anorectal ulceration and rectal stenosis have been reported in patients who abuse aspirin-containing rectal suppositories. One case-controlled study has suggested that an association between aspirin (and other NSAID) consumption and appendicitis may exist.

The risk of developing dyspeptic events (i.e., epigastric pain, heartburn, nausea, ulcers) is low in rheumatic patients with no prior gastrointestinal symptoms who receive low-dose (less than 650 mg/day) aspirin therapy.

Gastrointestinal side effects have included epigastric distress (in as many as 83% of patients treated with regular aspirin), abdominal discomfort or pain, endoscopically identifiable gastric mucosal lesions, nausea, and vomiting. More serious gastrointestinal effects include hemorrhage, peptic ulcers, perforation, small bowel enteropathy, and esophageal ulcerations.
Renal

The mechanism of an aspirin-induced decrease in renal function may be related to inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis with consequent decreases in renal blood flow. Vasodilating renal prostaglandins may be particularly important in patients who exhibit arterial underfilling (i.e. heart failure, cirrhosis). The administration of high doses of NSAIDs to such patients has produced acute renal failure in rare instances.

Renal side effects have included reduction in glomerular filtration rate (particularly in patients who are sodium restricted or who exhibit diminished effective arterial blood volume, such as patients with advanced heart failure or cirrhosis), interstitial nephritis, papillary necrosis, elevations in serum creatinine, elevations in blood urea nitrogen, proteinuria, hematuria, and renal failure.
Hematologic

Hematologic side effects have included increased blood fibrinolytic activity. In addition, hypoprothrombinemia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocyturia, megaloblastic anemia, and pancytopenia have been reported rarely. Aplastic anemia and eosinophilia have also been reported.
Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects have included bronchospasm, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, urticaria, angioedema, and anaphylaxis. Approximately 10% to 30% of asthmatics are aspirin-sensitive (with the clinical triad of aspirin sensitivity, bronchial asthma, and nasal polyps).

The mechanism of aspirin-induced hypersensitivity may be related to an up-regulation of the 5-lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism with a resulting increase in the products of 5-lipoxygenase (such as leukotrienes).
Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects have included Stevens-Johnson syndrome and a lichenoid eruption. In addition, isolated cases of unilateral aquagenic wrinkling of the palms and papuloerythroderma have been associated with aspirin therapy.
Hepatic

Hepatic side effects have included hepatotoxicity and cholestatic hepatitis.
Oncologic

Oncologic side effects have included reports of pancreatic cancer. Several epidemiologic studies have suggested that chronic aspirin use may decrease the risk of large bowel neoplasms. However, other studies have not found such a beneficial effect.
Metabolic

Metabolic side effects have included dehydration and hyperkalemia. Respiratory alkalosis and metabolic acidosis, particularly during salicylate toxicity, have been reported. A case of hypoglycemia has been reported in a patient on hemodialysis. Salicylates have also been reported to displace triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) from protein binding sites. The initial effect is an increase in serum free T4 concentrations.
Cardiovascular

A 29-year-old female with a history of migraine developed chest pain, tachycardia and orthopnea following aspirin consumption at doses of 1500 mg per day for several days. After discontinuation of aspirin therapy, the patient's symptoms promptly resolved. The patient consented to a pharmacological challenge test which once again triggered the symptoms.

Cardiovascular side effects have included salicylate-induced variant angina, ventricular ectopy, conduction abnormalities, and hypotension, particularly during salicylate toxicity. In addition, at least one case of fluid retention simulating acute congestive heart failure has been reported during aspirin therapy. Antiplatelet therapy has also been associated with acute deterioration of intracerebral hemorrhage.
Nervous system

Central nervous system side effects have included agitation, cerebral edema, coma, confusion, dizziness, headache, cranial hemorrhage, lethargy and seizures. Tinnitus and subjective hearing loss (or both) may occur. Some investigators have reported that modest doses may result in decreased frequency selectivity and may therefore impair hearing performance, particularly in the setting of background noise.

Some investigators have suggested that tinnitus may be a less reliable indicator of salicylate toxicity than previously believed. Patients with high frequency hearing loss may have difficulty perceiving tinnitus. In a study of rheumatoid arthritis patients, those with tinnitus had no greater salicylate levels than those without tinnitus. Elderly patients may be less likely to perceive tinnitus than younger patients.
Other

Reye's syndrome typically involves vomiting, neurologic dysfunction, and hepatic dysfunction during or shortly after an acute viral infection.

Other side effects have included Reye's syndrome with aspirin use in children with an acute viral illness. Reye's syndrome has also been reported even more rarely in adults.
Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have included rhabdomyolysis.
Respiratory

Respiratory side effects have included hyperpnea, pulmonary edema, and tachypnea.

Aspirin desensitization has been used to decrease disease activity and reduce the need for systemic corticosteroids in patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease.
Endocrine

Endocrine side effects have included hypoglycemia (which has been reported in children) and hyperglycemia.
Ocular

Ocular side effects have included cases of localized periorbital edema.
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ok ok i know sounds bad... here is another common one



Tylenol



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General

In general, acetaminophen is well-tolerated when administered in therapeutic doses.
Hepatic

Alcoholic patients may develop hepatotoxicity after even modest doses of acetaminophen. In healthy patients, approximately 15 grams of acetaminophen is necessary to deplete liver glutathione stores by 70% in a 70 kg person. However, hepatotoxicity has been reported following smaller doses. Glutathione concentrations may be repleted by the antidote N-acetylcysteine. One case report has suggested that hypothermia may also be beneficial in decreasing liver damage during overdose.

In a recent retrospective study of 306 patients admitted for acetaminophen overdose, 6.9% had severe liver injury but all recovered. None of the 306 patients died.

A 19-year-old female developed hepatotoxicity, reactive plasmacytosis and agranulocytosis followed by a leukemoid reaction after acute acetaminophen toxicity.

Hepatic side effects including severe and sometimes fatal dose dependent hepatitis have been reported in alcoholic patients. Hepatotoxicity has been increased during fasting. Several cases of hepatotoxicity from chronic acetaminophen therapy at therapeutic doses have also been reported despite a lack of risk factors for toxicity.
Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included nausea (34%) and vomiting (15%). Cases of acute pancreatitis have been reported rarely.

One study has suggested that acetaminophen may precipitate acute biliary pain and cholestasis. The mechanism of this effect may be related to inhibition of prostaglandin and alterations in the regulation of the sphincter of Oddi.
Renal

Renal side effects are rare and have included acute renal failure, acute tubular necrosis, and interstitial nephritis. Adverse renal effects are most often observed after overdose, after chronic abuse (often with multiple analgesics), or in association with acetaminophen-related hepatotoxicity.

Acute tubular necrosis usually occurs in conjunction with liver failure, but has been observed as an isolated finding in rare cases. A possible increase in the risk of renal cell carcinoma has been associated with chronic acetaminophen use as well.

One case-control study of patients with end-stage renal disease suggested that long term consumption of acetaminophen may significantly increase the risk of end-stage renal disease particularly in patients taking more than two pills per day.

However, a recent cohort study of analgesia use of initially healthy men concluded that moderate use of analgesics including acetaminophen was not associated with increased risk of renal disease.
Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects including anaphylaxis and fixed drug eruptions have been reported rarely in association with acetaminophen use.
Hematologic

Hematologic side effects including rare cases of thrombocytopenia associated with acetaminophen have been reported. Acute thrombocytopenia has also been reported as having been caused by sensitivity to acetaminophen glucuronide, the major metabolite of acetaminophen. Methemoglobinemia with resulting cyanosis has been observed in the setting of acute overdose.
Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects including erythematous skin rashes associated with acetaminophen have been reported, but are rare. Acetaminophen associated bullous erythema and purpura fulminans have been reported. One case of toxic epidermal necrolysis associated with acetaminophen administered to a pediatric patient has been reported. Dermatologic side effects associated with IV acetaminophen have included infusion site pain and peripheral edema.
Respiratory

Respiratory side effects have included dyspnea and a case of acetaminophen-induced eosinophilic pneumonia.
Cardiovascular

Two cases hypotension have been reported following the administration of acetaminophen. Both patients experienced significant decreases in blood pressure. One of the two patients required pressor agents to maintain adequate mean arterial pressures. Neither episode was associated with symptoms of anaphylaxis. Neither patient was rechallenged after resolution of the initial episode.

Cardiovascular side effects including hypertension and hypotension have been reported following the administration of acetaminophen.
Metabolic

In the case of metabolic acidosis, causality is uncertain as more than one drug was ingested. The case of metabolic acidosis followed the ingestion of 75 grams of acetaminophen, 1.95 grams of aspirin, and a small amount of a liquid household cleaner. The patient also had a history of seizures which the authors reported may have contributed to an increased lactate level indicative of metabolic acidosis.

Metabolic side effects have included hypokalemia. Metabolic side effects including metabolic acidosis have been reported following a massive overdose of acetaminophen.
Nervous system

Nervous system side effects associated with IV acetaminophen have included headache (10%), insomnia (7%), and fatigue.
Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects associated with acetaminophen IV have included muscle spasms and trismus.
Psychiatric

Psychiatric side effects associated with acetaminophen IV have included anxiety.
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yes with radiation they will tell you everything about it so it sounds like reading one of the two examples above

CherylMike said:

Nausea
I had 103 dose of radiation. My doctor prescribed anti-nausea medicine ahead of the treatment, just in case. I had to use it (waited until I threw up once - should have taken it when I started to feel qwesy). After taking the medicine, I was just fine! My taste was altered - could only taste sweets - not good for the waistline - but came back fairly quickly. I had dry mouth really bad (even though I sucked on lemons and drank a ton of water during treatment). That too has mostly come back over time. I stayed at home - I set up a mattress on my bathroom floor - I had night sweats badly and did not want that on the mattress. My 25 year old daughter brought my premade meals (low iodine) to me on paper plates and left them at the bedroom door. I had disposable gloves I used when touching things. I also flushed 3 times after I used the restroom and took two showers daily. When out of isolation, I washed my clothes separately from my kids and took my trash out to the outside garabage. I got a couple of paperbacks to read, which I also tossed when finished. I sucked on fresh cut lemons or sourhead candies (minimum every hour) and drank a glass of water every hour. It really was not that bad. I just got a little stir crazy. (I also really dislike sour candies and lemons now!) I am on the low iodine diet now as I am getting ready for my year out scan. Have been on it for over three weeks. I use the grill alot and make red sauce pasta dishes (you can buy no salt tomatoe sauces and no salt diced tomatoes at the grocery). I also like sauted fresh veggies (in no salt butter and add non-iodized salt and garlic -check the label for no salt). Dark chocolate usually has no sodium in it as do frosted mini-wheats cereal. Dole frozen strawberry bars are no sodium. Just a few things. In the long run, this is such a short period of time. Good luck!

CherylMike said:

This is just my experience
I would not consider myself having "bad effects" from the RAI. Everything was short lived. It was something I needed to do in order to kill these cancer cells. It was a very good trade off. I used a prescribed anti-nausea medicine (it was almost a year ago so I do not remember the name of the medicine, but it was a supository). After I took it I was fine. The nausea was controlled with the medicine. I only vomited once because I did not take the medicine once I started feeling quesy, I waited. If you are worried, I would ask your doc if he could prescribe something for you to keep on hand if you start feeling bad. I got sick the same day I received the RAI. Yes, the Dole strawberry fruit bars do not have iodide. It is not listed in the ingredients. You may want to go to the ThyCa website where they have a cookbook and a description of the low iodine diet. It lists foods to avoid, ok foods . . . I have no idea why my dose was 103. I am assuming it was based on the pathology of my tumors? I know there is a maximum dosage of RAI (I believe 500) that an individual can receive in a lifetime. That may have contributed to my dosage amount. Hope this helps!

sunnyaz said:

Better check on strawberries
I heard that strawberries in any form are high in iodine. I was eating a strawberry fruit Popsicle when I was reading the foods on line that have lots of iodine. I spit it out and let my daughter have them. I don't remember seeing that one on the thca site but I googled it and found that it was one of the natural iodine foods. I avoided them, but remember this is a low iodine diet, not a no iodine diet.

The odd numbers for the RAI are because they can't get an exact dose. My first was 83 mCi's and my second was 178 mCi's. I know it is weird but it's not an exact science when they make your dose. They try to get as close as possible but it's not really possible to do that. My doses were in four to six different pills.

I never experienced nausea. I still believe that if you suck down too much water after taking the pills that can make you sick.