RAI what to expect

Hi there I’m in the same position as you are. I had my TT in May and having RAI at the Christie on the 7th Sept. I’ve taken the list off the British thyroid foundation and just going with that

Ok thanks :)

Hi 

I had my surgery 30th June and going for Rai 9th September. 

I too am having thyrogen and am on alfacalcidol(vit d) 1mcg... my endocrine clinic stopped my calcium which was 1000mg but calcium dropped to 2.18 last week but they told me just to keep going without it....If you rely on calcium i dont think your glands will kick start. 

I had major problems post op calcium dropped to 1.6 and i honestly thought i was having a stroke....ended up on three 12 hour drips of calcium and magnesium over the 8 day stay in new cross hospital. Finally discharged me on 6000mg calcium and then my levels went too high to 3.1. My care to be honest has really not been the best,dont be scared to speak up and ask for results. What is your calcium, TSHand PTH  currently ? 

Hi, I'm on 100mg of thyroxine, 9000mg Adcal and 0.5 of Alfa D. I was also in for 8 days and was on a calcium drip twice. They couldn't get my blood pressure up. Am hoping they will test my calcium when i have my treatment because i've not seen anyone since may and want to know what's happening.

Hey Clarebear, I had my RAI in November 2017. I was only 25 when diagnosed and lived a very busy and sociable life! I spent a lot of time on the phone catching up with friends when I went in for the treatment. Showered 3 times a day as recommended and sucked on sherbets lemons and drank a lot to help protect my salivary glands. Also I could have skittles, marshmallows and dried mango as sweet treats! I have a real sweet tooth. I took magazines and puzzles etc to entertain myself. I had visitors but they had to stay in the corner near the door and the time they can spend in the room depends on how radioactive you are that day. All a bit odd but I was never in pain or discomfort and tried to relax as best as I could and see it as some time off a busy schedule! Good luck x

Hi Lydia245, thanks for explaining more what to expect :) I will try and do the same and think of it as a break. How long after Rai can you go back to a normal diet? x

Good luck for tomorrow. 

Hey Clarebear,

straight away! I got a burger king on the way back from the hospital in Leeds! Have they explained about your clothing etc? 

haha I don't blame you!  They just said to bring some comfy stuff that i don't mind leaving. Do you have to wear new clothes everyday cos of the radiation? I havn't got that many pjs!  I went for my thyrogen injections yesterday and today and they showed me the room on the screen. They said they don't expect me out before thurs/fri.  Have just been reading some of the other messages and people seem to have had alot more contact before their Rai than I have. I havn't seen anyone for 4 months since my op. x 

I think I just went to primark beforehand and bought £3 leggings and comfy cheap stuff. I had to take everything home and put it in the garage for a month then boil wash it? They told me 5 nights but I think I left after 3 nights. It depends how fast you process the radioactivity. That’s why showering/drinking a lot of water helps move it faster. I had quite a low dose to start with so only had to avoid children for 48 hours after. I’m guessing that’s covid related.. I had mine only about 6 weeks after my thyroidectomy so had a post op, tour of the radioiodine suite then two thyrogen appointments in that time x