Loss of taste after RAI

austinmama
austinmama Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Thyroid Cancer #1
I had RAI of 100 mCi on 10/28/09. As of last week, I have slowly been losing the ability to taste things. Has anyone else experienced this?

How bad does your lack of taste get? How long did it last?

I can't taste sour things anymore. It's kind of freakin' me out.
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Comments

  • emma54
    emma54 Member Posts: 59
    Mine got better. It took
    Mine got better. It took awhile and came back slowly. But now it is back to normal.
  • ibeatcanser
    ibeatcanser Member Posts: 47
    loss of taste...
    hi,
    this is normal. I had my treatment on Oct 5th. At first I could not taste sweet things, then as time progressed I regained that taste but started tasting "salty." Right now I don't taste salty things much. In my experience, everday I gain or lose a different type of taste; in addition my sense of smell increased. If I closed my eyes and ate, I knew what the food item was because I could smell it and recognize the texture. What I found is if I eat anything spicy the next item I eat will have full taste. However, the spicy comes at a price (my throat will get a bit sore).

    For me, I ignore it. I like food a lot, but I don't really have much of an appetite right now. At this point I adapted to it. Don't freak out or think about it too much. When I did, I didn't want to eat.

    Everyone experiences this 'taste' thing differently.

    take care.
  • ClaudiaCA
    ClaudiaCA Member Posts: 4

    loss of taste...
    hi,
    this is normal. I had my treatment on Oct 5th. At first I could not taste sweet things, then as time progressed I regained that taste but started tasting "salty." Right now I don't taste salty things much. In my experience, everday I gain or lose a different type of taste; in addition my sense of smell increased. If I closed my eyes and ate, I knew what the food item was because I could smell it and recognize the texture. What I found is if I eat anything spicy the next item I eat will have full taste. However, the spicy comes at a price (my throat will get a bit sore).

    For me, I ignore it. I like food a lot, but I don't really have much of an appetite right now. At this point I adapted to it. Don't freak out or think about it too much. When I did, I didn't want to eat.

    Everyone experiences this 'taste' thing differently.

    take care.

    taste buds
    When I had my I-131 treatment(May 22,2009), the radio oncologist told me that the odds of me losing my taste buds vs. saliva glands shutting down was 1 to 100. So, I was told to suck on lemons to prevent my saliva glands from drying. But, honestly, I felt no need to do so, so the week at the hospital during my I131 I just continued on the low iodine diet and had lots of water. A week later after my treatment and my stomach feeling back to normal (severe nausea) I notice food was not tasty…so I began to add more salt to everything…then more and more then I realized I had lost my taste buds. Doctor said it would be temporarily and so, in my case it took 6 months. I have to admit it was hard to eat without enjoying what I ate. Seeing others enjoy food or hear them complain when food was spicy was very disturbing. So for a moment I was not so happy with food. But you know, it does get better, it’s been a week now and I am enjoying food once more. On my first day of finally recuperating my taste buds I had a hot dog on a stick and a large lemonade and full KFC meal and a large cinnamon roll all at one meal. Lol….hey it was 6 months that I had to go tasteless with food. Yet, on November 23, 2009 I begin a low iodine diet once more to have a thyrogen stimulant PET/CT so here we go again….Keep you head up and stay strong ….think of those people with aggressive types of cancer that for us it could have been worse and they could only wish to be in our shoe. Good luck to you.
  • nasher
    nasher Member Posts: 505
    it depends
    I had my RAI on 5 May 2010

    since then EVERYTHING has tasted extra salty to me and I have a metallic like taste in my mouth

    My endo told me in November that it normally doesn’t happen after one dose of RAI.

    Yes a lot of food tastes different now and I am getting to the point that I wonder if it will ever go away

    My salivary glands are not dead but they got damaged by the RAI so I constantly have dry mouth so I always have a bottle of water or such near me. If I go to a restaurant I normally drink 3-4 glasses of water with a meal. and probably 1 quart+ when I eat at home per meal.

    most of the time it comes back within 6 months but it might be permanent.
    good luck
  • ultramichelle
    ultramichelle Member Posts: 8
    nasher said:

    it depends
    I had my RAI on 5 May 2010

    since then EVERYTHING has tasted extra salty to me and I have a metallic like taste in my mouth

    My endo told me in November that it normally doesn’t happen after one dose of RAI.

    Yes a lot of food tastes different now and I am getting to the point that I wonder if it will ever go away

    My salivary glands are not dead but they got damaged by the RAI so I constantly have dry mouth so I always have a bottle of water or such near me. If I go to a restaurant I normally drink 3-4 glasses of water with a meal. and probably 1 quart+ when I eat at home per meal.

    most of the time it comes back within 6 months but it might be permanent.
    good luck

    loss of taste.
    Im 10 days out of 153mc and just for the last 3 days have I noticed a change in taste, but it hasn't been too bad just delayed, I thought it would have happened right away.I do notice textures more, unlike nasher I need more salt and spice. I was never one for that before. Hope it passes quickly for you but am disheartened to see it effects people for months. Let me know how it goes I am right there with you.
    Michelle
  • sunnyaz
    sunnyaz Member Posts: 582

    loss of taste.
    Im 10 days out of 153mc and just for the last 3 days have I noticed a change in taste, but it hasn't been too bad just delayed, I thought it would have happened right away.I do notice textures more, unlike nasher I need more salt and spice. I was never one for that before. Hope it passes quickly for you but am disheartened to see it effects people for months. Let me know how it goes I am right there with you.
    Michelle

    Loss of Taste
    Hi All!
    Did anyone take Steroids during their RAI? My Radiologist gave me an RX to fill so that I could start taking them on the same day as my RAI and I didn't have any loss of taste, metallic taste or damaged taste buds. I requested them again for my second RAI coming up on the 4th of February and I plan on taking them again. I already have my script filled and ready to go. I sure hope I don't experience this because I LOVE food. It would so suck to have this happen. I am sorry to hear that so many have experienced this.
    Julie-SunnyAZ
  • cm1313
    cm1313 Member Posts: 2
    Loss of taste after RAI
    I too lost my taste after receiving 100mCi for thyroid cancer. It was very disturbing. I didn't lose it immediately, but more like 5 days after treatment. I has now been about five weeks after treatment and they are starting to come back. I am tasting salt and some sugar items, but more salt items. It is a relief to finally taste something again. They are slowly getting better everyday. I was told 25% of patients have this. One thing I still have is dry mouth. It is effecting my gums so I went to the dentist as my gums/teeth are very sensitive. My dentist told me this is common for people who have had radiation, so much so that there are special products to help. Biotene mouthwash, Biotene Dry Mouth toothpaste and Oral Balance Dry Mouth Moisturizing Gel. You can get them at most drug stores, if not ask your dentist. Having dry mouth is no fun at all! Another thing that may be of interest is the Low Iodine Diet. Nuclear Medicine pretty much was in shock when I told them all about it and showed them the list of what I could eat (not much) and what I couldn't eat based on my doctor (who now is rethinking the whole diet). Their idea of a LID is no seafood, no iodine supplements, and don't over salt your food. Makes me wonder who came up with the diet and how did it get so strict.
  • cm1313
    cm1313 Member Posts: 2
    sunnyaz said:

    Loss of Taste
    Hi All!
    Did anyone take Steroids during their RAI? My Radiologist gave me an RX to fill so that I could start taking them on the same day as my RAI and I didn't have any loss of taste, metallic taste or damaged taste buds. I requested them again for my second RAI coming up on the 4th of February and I plan on taking them again. I already have my script filled and ready to go. I sure hope I don't experience this because I LOVE food. It would so suck to have this happen. I am sorry to hear that so many have experienced this.
    Julie-SunnyAZ

    Loss of Taste
    I was not told about Steroids during RAI. Were they specifically given to you to help with the side effects (such as loss of taste, dry mouth etc) of RAI or given to you for another reason?
  • sunnyaz
    sunnyaz Member Posts: 582
    cm1313 said:

    Loss of Taste
    I was not told about Steroids during RAI. Were they specifically given to you to help with the side effects (such as loss of taste, dry mouth etc) of RAI or given to you for another reason?

    Steroids
    My Nuclear Medicine doc prescribed them for me. I took and will take again 8 mg Dexamethasone in the morning and 8 mg in the evening. They are supposed to stop the loss of taste and problems with salivary glands and it worked for me. I didn't have any side effects like that. I did gain weight and felt like a Mack truck hit me though. I think this is normal. I also did the thyrogen injections forty eight and twenty four hours before my treatment so I didn't have to go Hypo. This time around my Nuclear medicine office told me I only had to do one week of the LID. This has made it much more bearable. Not sure who came up with such a strict diet either. I try to not eat iodine but I think some doctors just go overboard.
    Julie-SunnyAZ
  • MoMomsa
    MoMomsa Member Posts: 16
    sunnyaz said:

    Steroids
    My Nuclear Medicine doc prescribed them for me. I took and will take again 8 mg Dexamethasone in the morning and 8 mg in the evening. They are supposed to stop the loss of taste and problems with salivary glands and it worked for me. I didn't have any side effects like that. I did gain weight and felt like a Mack truck hit me though. I think this is normal. I also did the thyrogen injections forty eight and twenty four hours before my treatment so I didn't have to go Hypo. This time around my Nuclear medicine office told me I only had to do one week of the LID. This has made it much more bearable. Not sure who came up with such a strict diet either. I try to not eat iodine but I think some doctors just go overboard.
    Julie-SunnyAZ

    Steroids
    Wow, great info Sunnyaz!

    I wish I would have known about the steroid thing! I am 4 months out and I still get a metallic taste like nasher mentioned. And I find I do get dry mouth at times and I am liking spicier foods, which my stomach isn't use to! ha

    The lemon drops were a great idea mainly to keep the saliva glands producing....and I found this worked well. Sick of lemon drops now but I would do it again if needed.

    I also did the thyrogen shots beforehand, if anyone is given the option, take it or suggest it yourself!
  • djlrad
    djlrad Member Posts: 4
    nasher said:

    it depends
    I had my RAI on 5 May 2010

    since then EVERYTHING has tasted extra salty to me and I have a metallic like taste in my mouth

    My endo told me in November that it normally doesn’t happen after one dose of RAI.

    Yes a lot of food tastes different now and I am getting to the point that I wonder if it will ever go away

    My salivary glands are not dead but they got damaged by the RAI so I constantly have dry mouth so I always have a bottle of water or such near me. If I go to a restaurant I normally drink 3-4 glasses of water with a meal. and probably 1 quart+ when I eat at home per meal.

    most of the time it comes back within 6 months but it might be permanent.
    good luck

    loss of taste
    I have received two RAI treatments, one in April 2009 and the other in Nov.2009. I no longer have the metallic taste that I once had, but certain foods do still taste different. I also have salivary gland damage which results in dry mouth, sensitive teeth and probably more trips to my dentist in the future. I'm guessing my situation could be because my nuclear med doctors, both times, didn't stress the importance, at all, of sucking on lemon drops, etc. after RAI. Also,the low iodine diet helps your body deplete its stores of iodine so that any thyroid tissue remaining will uptake better. Therefore RAI hopefully will not have to be repeated. GEEZZZ...Wish I would have had my present doctor before I had my initial treatment!
  • djlrad
    djlrad Member Posts: 4
    nasher said:

    it depends
    I had my RAI on 5 May 2010

    since then EVERYTHING has tasted extra salty to me and I have a metallic like taste in my mouth

    My endo told me in November that it normally doesn’t happen after one dose of RAI.

    Yes a lot of food tastes different now and I am getting to the point that I wonder if it will ever go away

    My salivary glands are not dead but they got damaged by the RAI so I constantly have dry mouth so I always have a bottle of water or such near me. If I go to a restaurant I normally drink 3-4 glasses of water with a meal. and probably 1 quart+ when I eat at home per meal.

    most of the time it comes back within 6 months but it might be permanent.
    good luck

    loss of taste
    I have received two RAI treatments, one in April 2009 and the other in Nov.2009. I no longer have the metallic taste that I once had, but certain foods do still taste different. I also have salivary gland damage which results in dry mouth, sensitive teeth and probably more trips to my dentist in the future. I'm guessing my situation could be because my nuclear med doctors, both times, didn't stress the importance, at all, of sucking on lemon drops, etc. after RAI. Also,the low iodine diet helps your body deplete its stores of iodine so that any thyroid tissue remaining will uptake better. Therefore RAI hopefully will not have to be repeated. GEEZZZ...Wish I would have had my present doctor before I had my initial treatment!
  • sunnyaz
    sunnyaz Member Posts: 582
    MoMomsa said:

    Steroids
    Wow, great info Sunnyaz!

    I wish I would have known about the steroid thing! I am 4 months out and I still get a metallic taste like nasher mentioned. And I find I do get dry mouth at times and I am liking spicier foods, which my stomach isn't use to! ha

    The lemon drops were a great idea mainly to keep the saliva glands producing....and I found this worked well. Sick of lemon drops now but I would do it again if needed.

    I also did the thyrogen shots beforehand, if anyone is given the option, take it or suggest it yourself!

    Lemon Drops
    Hi MoMomsa, (reminds me of what my daughter calls me; MammaSama-a term of endearment)

    I can't do lemon drops but I like Jolly Ranchers and they make me salivate so that worked best for me. I also used lifesavers. I had the multi-flavored candies so that I didn't get tired of one taste. The lady at the Nuclear Medicine department where I had my first RAI recommended War Heads. REALLY sour! Didn't like that at all.

    Had my appointment with the new Nuclear Medicine doctor today and I am all set to go with my treatment on Friday. I am getting 175 mCi's this time. The first was only 83 mCi's. Yikes! I sure hope I don't have to do this again.

    The Thyrogen shots are such a blessing and there is no proof that they decrease the effectiveness of the treatment. I just can't afford to go Hypo.

    Julie-SunnyAZ
  • MoMomsa
    MoMomsa Member Posts: 16
    djlrad said:

    loss of taste
    I have received two RAI treatments, one in April 2009 and the other in Nov.2009. I no longer have the metallic taste that I once had, but certain foods do still taste different. I also have salivary gland damage which results in dry mouth, sensitive teeth and probably more trips to my dentist in the future. I'm guessing my situation could be because my nuclear med doctors, both times, didn't stress the importance, at all, of sucking on lemon drops, etc. after RAI. Also,the low iodine diet helps your body deplete its stores of iodine so that any thyroid tissue remaining will uptake better. Therefore RAI hopefully will not have to be repeated. GEEZZZ...Wish I would have had my present doctor before I had my initial treatment!

    Lemon Drops
    Hey SunnyAZ,

    Best of healing wishes with your RAI treatment. Hope it blast that cancer right outta ya. The first time wasn't any fun, but doing it a second time really has to suck!

    MoMomsa-(And my son calls me 'Momsa'(an endearment as well! Since I'm from Missouri, I'm a MoMomsa! :)

    And yes, the lemon drops got old, if I have to do it again, I'm thinking jolly ranchers for me.

    I was also reading the post from djlrad about making more trips to the dentist in the future, I have also noticed my teeth and gums are more sensitive.....Hm...thanks for a heads up on that one. And yes I still get dry mouth at times...sort of weird, I'll be fine then a couple days of dry mouth....Ok well....I won't complain! (too much! ha)
  • sunnyaz
    sunnyaz Member Posts: 582
    MoMomsa said:

    Lemon Drops
    Hey SunnyAZ,

    Best of healing wishes with your RAI treatment. Hope it blast that cancer right outta ya. The first time wasn't any fun, but doing it a second time really has to suck!

    MoMomsa-(And my son calls me 'Momsa'(an endearment as well! Since I'm from Missouri, I'm a MoMomsa! :)

    And yes, the lemon drops got old, if I have to do it again, I'm thinking jolly ranchers for me.

    I was also reading the post from djlrad about making more trips to the dentist in the future, I have also noticed my teeth and gums are more sensitive.....Hm...thanks for a heads up on that one. And yes I still get dry mouth at times...sort of weird, I'll be fine then a couple days of dry mouth....Ok well....I won't complain! (too much! ha)

    Hi MoMomsa!
    Hi MoMomsa!

    Thanks for the best wishes. It does suck but I am getting used to surgeries, and now the treatments. Kinda sad huh? It's the only way I can get time off of work.

    I LOVE Missouri! I plan to buy a lake home when I retire to spend the summer's at the Lake of the Ozarks. I just emailed my Aunt about the terrible snow storm they are having right now. She is in Warsaw. I have family all over Missouri from Kansas City to St. Louis. That is where my mom's side of the family is from.

    I have let my teeth cleanings go due to the cancer issues. I really need to get an appointment to see my dentist. Lucky for me I have really strong teeth.

    I have always sort of had dry mouth so I always keep something to drink with me. I had to switch recently however, due to my weight gain and the knowledge that sugar feeds cancer, I switched from soda to iced tea. My other addiction is Iced coffee (Dunkin' Donuts French Vanilla) with French vanilla creamer (lots of it). The LID doesn't allow for creamer so I have been a bit pissy without it. Can't drink it black, yuck! The good news though is that I have lost thirteen pounds of the weight I gained when I was Hypo in 2009 before the cancer diagnosis. I went from 135 to 185 in less than nine months. It feels like I am in someone else's body. My husband and I started on a fitness program and we are feeling much better. We are in our early forties and starting to feel much older than our age. Decided it was time to get serious about our health before it gets out of control.

    Take care and God Bless,
    Julie-SunnyAZ
  • MoMomsa
    MoMomsa Member Posts: 16
    sunnyaz said:

    Hi MoMomsa!
    Hi MoMomsa!

    Thanks for the best wishes. It does suck but I am getting used to surgeries, and now the treatments. Kinda sad huh? It's the only way I can get time off of work.

    I LOVE Missouri! I plan to buy a lake home when I retire to spend the summer's at the Lake of the Ozarks. I just emailed my Aunt about the terrible snow storm they are having right now. She is in Warsaw. I have family all over Missouri from Kansas City to St. Louis. That is where my mom's side of the family is from.

    I have let my teeth cleanings go due to the cancer issues. I really need to get an appointment to see my dentist. Lucky for me I have really strong teeth.

    I have always sort of had dry mouth so I always keep something to drink with me. I had to switch recently however, due to my weight gain and the knowledge that sugar feeds cancer, I switched from soda to iced tea. My other addiction is Iced coffee (Dunkin' Donuts French Vanilla) with French vanilla creamer (lots of it). The LID doesn't allow for creamer so I have been a bit pissy without it. Can't drink it black, yuck! The good news though is that I have lost thirteen pounds of the weight I gained when I was Hypo in 2009 before the cancer diagnosis. I went from 135 to 185 in less than nine months. It feels like I am in someone else's body. My husband and I started on a fitness program and we are feeling much better. We are in our early forties and starting to feel much older than our age. Decided it was time to get serious about our health before it gets out of control.

    Take care and God Bless,
    Julie-SunnyAZ

    SunnyAZ
    Hi Sunny,

    AS I read your post how sugar feeds cancer,I stopped with my hand half way to my mouth. I'm eating M&M's. Yikes! I don't believe I was aware of that fact. Man....that's a bummer.Really? After the LID I realized how much I really enjoy food. Guess I better get back to eating better/healthier. And I do need to lose some weight.
    Good job on losing the weight, I'm starting back next week. I use to work out 3-4 times a week and was really good about it. Eliptical and free weights. After the thyroid cancer I got kind of tired.....and lazy too. Lost 8 pounds during the LID. I guess I like dairy and junk foods!
    So, I decided this year I would "get back to it"....thanks for the reminder.

    Just wanted to wish you all the best tomorrow....I think that's your big day?
    I'll send healing energy your way!

    Oh and Lake of the Ozark is really a fun place, except when it gets really crowded on the water. However, then you just go shopping! I live closer to St. Louis. We missed the big snow and got 3 inches of sleet instead, but my son who is in college a couple hours away got almost 20 inches! It's crazy! ha

    Take care and blessings,
    Momomsa
  • MoMomsa
    MoMomsa Member Posts: 16
    sunnyaz said:

    Hi MoMomsa!
    Hi MoMomsa!

    Thanks for the best wishes. It does suck but I am getting used to surgeries, and now the treatments. Kinda sad huh? It's the only way I can get time off of work.

    I LOVE Missouri! I plan to buy a lake home when I retire to spend the summer's at the Lake of the Ozarks. I just emailed my Aunt about the terrible snow storm they are having right now. She is in Warsaw. I have family all over Missouri from Kansas City to St. Louis. That is where my mom's side of the family is from.

    I have let my teeth cleanings go due to the cancer issues. I really need to get an appointment to see my dentist. Lucky for me I have really strong teeth.

    I have always sort of had dry mouth so I always keep something to drink with me. I had to switch recently however, due to my weight gain and the knowledge that sugar feeds cancer, I switched from soda to iced tea. My other addiction is Iced coffee (Dunkin' Donuts French Vanilla) with French vanilla creamer (lots of it). The LID doesn't allow for creamer so I have been a bit pissy without it. Can't drink it black, yuck! The good news though is that I have lost thirteen pounds of the weight I gained when I was Hypo in 2009 before the cancer diagnosis. I went from 135 to 185 in less than nine months. It feels like I am in someone else's body. My husband and I started on a fitness program and we are feeling much better. We are in our early forties and starting to feel much older than our age. Decided it was time to get serious about our health before it gets out of control.

    Take care and God Bless,
    Julie-SunnyAZ

    SunnyAZ
    Hi Sunny,

    AS I read your post how sugar feeds cancer,I stopped with my hand half way to my mouth. I'm eating M&M's. Yikes! I don't believe I was aware of that fact. Man....that's a bummer.Really? After the LID I realized how much I really enjoy food. Guess I better get back to eating better/healthier. And I do need to lose some weight.
    Good job on losing the weight, I'm starting back next week. I use to work out 3-4 times a week and was really good about it. Eliptical and free weights. After the thyroid cancer I got kind of tired.....and lazy too. Lost 8 pounds during the LID. I guess I like dairy and junk foods!
    So, I decided this year I would "get back to it"....thanks for the reminder.

    Just wanted to wish you all the best tomorrow....I think that's your big day?
    I'll send healing energy your way!

    Oh and Lake of the Ozark is really a fun place, except when it gets really crowded on the water. However, then you just go shopping! I live closer to St. Louis. We missed the big snow and got 3 inches of sleet instead, but my son who is in college a couple hours away got almost 20 inches! It's crazy! ha

    Take care and blessings,
    Momomsa
  • sunnyaz
    sunnyaz Member Posts: 582
    MoMomsa said:

    SunnyAZ
    Hi Sunny,

    AS I read your post how sugar feeds cancer,I stopped with my hand half way to my mouth. I'm eating M&M's. Yikes! I don't believe I was aware of that fact. Man....that's a bummer.Really? After the LID I realized how much I really enjoy food. Guess I better get back to eating better/healthier. And I do need to lose some weight.
    Good job on losing the weight, I'm starting back next week. I use to work out 3-4 times a week and was really good about it. Eliptical and free weights. After the thyroid cancer I got kind of tired.....and lazy too. Lost 8 pounds during the LID. I guess I like dairy and junk foods!
    So, I decided this year I would "get back to it"....thanks for the reminder.

    Just wanted to wish you all the best tomorrow....I think that's your big day?
    I'll send healing energy your way!

    Oh and Lake of the Ozark is really a fun place, except when it gets really crowded on the water. However, then you just go shopping! I live closer to St. Louis. We missed the big snow and got 3 inches of sleet instead, but my son who is in college a couple hours away got almost 20 inches! It's crazy! ha

    Take care and blessings,
    Momomsa

    MoMomsa
    Mmmmmmm, M&M's are the best. I like the peanut ones the best but I am a peanut freak. I even put salted peanuts in my Coke. I put them on my ice cream with chocolate fudge sauce and I love frozen bananas with peanut butter. I found a no salt, all natural peanut butter at my grocery store and well now I am having to take a lot of Metamucil to make up for the fact that bananas are very constipating.

    I did have to give up a lot of my favorite stuff to get some of this weight off. I actually have 37 more pounds to loose to be where I was before the cancer took over. I am doing the treadmill for one hour three to four times a week and on the other days I am doing a half hour of Kick boxing. It usually Kicks my butt more than the hour on the treadmill. I will be doing the Relay for Life to raise money for The American Cancer Society on April 2nd here in my town. Must be in shape for that! I will get a purple T-shirt (signifying that I am a cancer survivor) and I will get to take the first lap with other cancer survivors, if there are any. I might end up taking that lap alone and getting all the glory, haha.

    It is exceptionally cold in Tucson right now. We had a high of 36 today and a low of 18. That is a real cold spell for us. We just aren't prepared for this kind of cold. Pipes froze and broke all over town and so did some of the gas lines leaving some people without heat, hot water and water. Hope you are all fairing well.

    Yes, tomorrow is the big day! So glad to get it over with and have some time off of work. I am going to do some serious sleeping, drinking fluids and working out to sweat the RAI out. Thanks for your well wishes.

    Take care and God Bless,
    Julie
  • sunnyaz
    sunnyaz Member Posts: 582
    sunnyaz said:

    MoMomsa
    Mmmmmmm, M&M's are the best. I like the peanut ones the best but I am a peanut freak. I even put salted peanuts in my Coke. I put them on my ice cream with chocolate fudge sauce and I love frozen bananas with peanut butter. I found a no salt, all natural peanut butter at my grocery store and well now I am having to take a lot of Metamucil to make up for the fact that bananas are very constipating.

    I did have to give up a lot of my favorite stuff to get some of this weight off. I actually have 37 more pounds to loose to be where I was before the cancer took over. I am doing the treadmill for one hour three to four times a week and on the other days I am doing a half hour of Kick boxing. It usually Kicks my butt more than the hour on the treadmill. I will be doing the Relay for Life to raise money for The American Cancer Society on April 2nd here in my town. Must be in shape for that! I will get a purple T-shirt (signifying that I am a cancer survivor) and I will get to take the first lap with other cancer survivors, if there are any. I might end up taking that lap alone and getting all the glory, haha.

    It is exceptionally cold in Tucson right now. We had a high of 36 today and a low of 18. That is a real cold spell for us. We just aren't prepared for this kind of cold. Pipes froze and broke all over town and so did some of the gas lines leaving some people without heat, hot water and water. Hope you are all fairing well.

    Yes, tomorrow is the big day! So glad to get it over with and have some time off of work. I am going to do some serious sleeping, drinking fluids and working out to sweat the RAI out. Thanks for your well wishes.

    Take care and God Bless,
    Julie

    Eating my words
    I am eating my words and they aren't very tasty. This morning I woke up after 187.3 mCi's of RAI yesterday and my salivary glands were in pain and swollen. My new Nuclear Medicine doctor told me not to take the steroids until 48 hours after the treatment and so I didn't take it last night after dinner. I really wish I had. I decided not to wait the 48 hours as he instructed me and I took the steroids with my breakfast this morning. I took them right away after my first treatment and it didn't harm anything. I am sucking on hard candies, drinking a lot of green tea and salivating like a mad dog. Most of the pain and swelling has gone away but I am not sure it that is because I also took Ibuprofen. I guess I will have to see what happens tomorrow morning.
    Julie-SunnyAZ
  • Linda Jo
    Linda Jo Member Posts: 14
    sunnyaz said:

    Lemon Drops
    Hi MoMomsa, (reminds me of what my daughter calls me; MammaSama-a term of endearment)

    I can't do lemon drops but I like Jolly Ranchers and they make me salivate so that worked best for me. I also used lifesavers. I had the multi-flavored candies so that I didn't get tired of one taste. The lady at the Nuclear Medicine department where I had my first RAI recommended War Heads. REALLY sour! Didn't like that at all.

    Had my appointment with the new Nuclear Medicine doctor today and I am all set to go with my treatment on Friday. I am getting 175 mCi's this time. The first was only 83 mCi's. Yikes! I sure hope I don't have to do this again.

    The Thyrogen shots are such a blessing and there is no proof that they decrease the effectiveness of the treatment. I just can't afford to go Hypo.

    Julie-SunnyAZ

    Thyrogen injections vs. synthroid withdrawal
    Hi MoMomsa and Sunnyaz! You both have had the thyrogen shots. I will be starting the prep next month and was given the option of thyrogen injections. It sounds like the best way to go. Only thing is, the nuclear med. dr. says that if my labs and scan indicate a RAI treatment, then I have to do the prep a second time, receiving a total of 4 injections total, including the LID twice. I'm a bit concerned about 4 injections, but was told the thyrogen moves the radioactive iodine faster through the body, doing less damage to the bone marrow and organs. Do either of you have and further info or suggestions on the injections vs. stopping the synthroid?