radioactive iodine

[dotsee1]

anxious to know any side effects of RAI.  Will have it in three weeks and hoping there is no nausea/pain etc.
also how long must I be away from others

[nissah46]

I had RAI and lost my taste for about one month.  I had no nausea or pain. I was in hospital for 2 nights and isolated at home for 1 more week. Are you being kept in hospital?  At home I had to use a separate bathroom and do my laundry separate from others.  Could not prepare food for the family. About 6 months later I had blocked salivary glands which looked like mumps. I did suck on sour candy while in hospital, although I have read since then that some doctors recommend not to do this. Were you given an info. session about RAI. It is required where I had my RAI. Good luck.
Trish

[Dogdancing]

The isolation varies form state to state doc to doc. You need to buzz the doc with all your questions ahead of time so you can make preperations. Otherwise they will be going over the rules AS you take the pill and its too late to make arrangements.

I was 4 days in isolation. 2 weeks NO contact with preggos or babies, from sleeping next to anyone, NO neck contact, no longer than 1 hour in a car with anyone, 3 foot radious from children and others.

Flush toilet twice, use disosible eating utensils, I was able to prep others food, just no tasting it.

I was advised NOT to use the lemon drops routinely to prevent salviary gland swelling as it dries out the glands and makes it worse. If they got inflamed I was told to massage them and use lemon drops.

I went into exspecting to feel different right away, (grow a third arm or something) didn't ever feel pysically different. If you have a history of anxiety /depression you might want to get a rx for that ahead of time.

You can get  "radation heart burn" and or nausea after taking the pill.

Relax and enjoy your isolation, bring books and everything you've been needing to catch up on.

peace be the journey

Paja (RAI 6-5-08, not on replacements yet)

[ChitChatNine]

Hi .. welcome!

No nausea but I think I've read about salivary gland pain and to suck on some candy afterwards .. but do an archive search for RAI, or I-131, etc.  many posts there and I'm sure others will stop by!

Generally about 3 days I think ..I haven't had RAI so going by what I've read on the community.

C~