radioactive iodine treamtent

[honey1982]

hello i was wondering after having rai treamtent how long will i be off of work and will i have to stay in the hospital for a while. thanks am getting my bloodwork done on this monday

[joejoe365]

Thanks, I'll have it in the morning so I will fine out soon enough.. Thanks,,

[MANmom]

You shouldn't feel too different than you do normally.  I had 100 mlc., felt fine.  No nausea, nothing really.  I sucked on sour candy to keep the saliva flowing and watched movies all day long.  Drank lots of water to flush the system.  The only minor annoyance is that I lost my sense of taste (I think my tongue peeled), but it only lasted for a month or so. Best of luck.

[joejoe365]

Going to have the treatment friday and know much about it,,,kind of freaked out.. going to hsve it done 12-03-10 at about 9 am.. can anybody tell me how I will feel?

[utahmomma]

Contact the nuclear medicine department at your hospital for their protocol.  It varies by state and hospital.  Here in Utah you aren't hospitalized.  I had 100mCi and was sent right home.  Didn't go back to work for a week.  My sister has had three doses of RAI (also in Utah) - her highest was 225mCi and she was never hospitalized either.  Check with your hospital.

Best of everything - onward and upward!

Utahmomma
papillary carcinoma '03
recurrence and RAI '06 and probably late '08
three sisters with papillary carcinoma

[ibabug]

I had RAI 4 weeks ago at 30 mcg. I was home that day and isolated for two. Easy as pie.
I give it glowing recommendations arrr arrr.

[jamee8999]

i just got done with RAI treatment i had it done on tuesday july 1st  i only recieved 10millicuries my dr told me to have my kids stay with someone untill the 5th to use a different bathrooms from my husband and to sleep alone. you should be fine as long as you dont have close contact with anyone for 3 to 5 days...hope this helps

[treimbol]

Hi!  The short answer is, IT TOTALLY depends...it depends on the dosage or radioactive iodine, the type of work you do, and what your state regulations are on radioactivity, how fast you flush the iodine out of your system, your reaction to the iodine...etc.etc.
I know that's not much help, but your endo and your nuclear medicine team will be the best people to give you some ballpark figure.  Even at the highest dose, you can probably get out of there in less than a week, the lowest, a day.  Some states have mandatory inpatient rules, some can do outpatient for small doses.  Resuming normal activity (like work) is usually 3-4 days after treatment.  Again, this all depends.
You will hear others stories of how long it took them, but again it's best to ask your doc/hospital.  I have my RAI scheduled for next Friday, so I will let you know what my personal experience is then!

[dscoochie]

In Canada (I'm not sure if its the same in the U.S.) you are required to stay in the hospital if you are given more than 30 millicuries of RAI.  Doses for cancer ablation are higher than 30 millicuries.  

Usually, you stay in the hospital in isolation for 3 days.  You should stay at home in isolation for another week or so, avoiding contact with everyone, especially children, and using your own toilet, cooking utensils and bed.  (Its all very specific depending on your dose and sometimes even doctors have differing opinions).

Write down all your questions and ask your endo.  

Good luck.