Iodine Treatment after Thyroid removal

It's no big deal - the only downside is the risk of boredom in isolation!   I stayed in hospital for 2 nights then discharged on a Friday when my geiger counter readings were low enough.  I was given an appointment for a radiation reading the following Monday and a sheet to keep on me detailing the dosage I'd received, level on discharge, and how far to stay away from different groups of people and for how long.   No problem identifying groups within your own family so best to stay away from all children and women of child-bearing age just in case! 

The Monday reading showed I was only slightly above background radiation and all proximity restrictions lifted - just 5 days after treatment.

Ok thank you for that. So just for my clarity, he has to stay completely away from me for a few days after his release? Or he can see me but just avoid close contact? If he has to avoid children and pets surely adults are at risk also?

thanks for confirming.

hope all went well with your treatments and surgery!

Hello

I had my treatment 5 weeks ago. Fortunately I was only in overnight. I too was keen to find out in advance what rules I had to follow after treatment but in reality the rules are related to your boyfriends radioactivity level when he is scanned in hospital. He can influence the level by drinking as much as possible as most of the radioactivity leaves the body in his urine. I had two showers each day to help the process. When I was considered safe enough to return home I had to keep my wife at arms length, urinate sitting down and keep away from children and pregnant women for another week. Good luck to you and your boyfriend.

Ah okay that is good advice! I will for sure let him know to drink lots and take several showers daily! Cheers for the tip. How did you find the iodine treatment? Any side effects? Was it hard being on your own in the room? Did you take a phone and laptop in the room with you? He has been told he has to dispose of his clothing after treatment before leaving the hospital. 
he has a niece and nephew who he sees often so we wanted to make sure they are safe too but hopefully the hospital will provide further information on that to ease our worries. 

I hope you are feeling better and are on route to recovery!

 All the very best

jordan

The time keeping away from various groups depends on the dose you received and how quickly you get rid of it- hence lots of water and showers.  The hospital will specify who and for how long.  I had to sleep alone  and sit away from others for 2 or 3 nights.

Hi jordan

I had my treatment on 10th June this year.  I was in hosp for 3 nights and was discharged home to isolate for 2 weeks upstairs with no contact with my husband, children or dog.  After that initial two weeks I was still radioactive until 16th July but was allowed out but no close contact with certain groups.  This was all explained before I left hosp.  I did have sidd effects from treatment. Headaches, extreme tiredness and was sick.  This isn't the case for everyone but it happened to me.  Make sure your boyfriend brings some sour sweets into hosp as the radioactivity can effect the saliva glands also.   Old clothes are advisable too as I had to leave what I wore in hospital behind. I wasn't allowed to bring them home.  

I'm sure all the information we are giving you is a lot to take in right now. 

I wish you both well and if you need anymore information just ask. 

PF

Oh wow thank you so much for this. I hope your treatment on the 10th of June went well for you.

gosh that is a long time to be radioactive, they have been quite brief with us about it but I’m guessing that’s because it’s different for each person. In the two weeks you isolated away from your husband, kids and dog was that absolutly no contact at all? How do they know exactly when you can start making contact again? My boyfriend is going to isolate at home on his own but he’s thinking he only needs to do that for 3 days? I’m just abit worried that we don’t have the right information. 

yes we will have to give him some old clothes that he’s happy to get rid of. Did you put a new outfit on each time you had a shower? What about things like towels etc? Because I presume once you use the towel it will be radioactive? New towel each time he showers? Did you take food into hospital with you?

thanks for the recommendation on sweets- a lot of people have suggested that so I will get him some. Lots of water too! Flush it out.

How about phone and laptop? Did you take that with you to keep you entertained?

apologies for all the questions. Just want to make sure we’re doing the right thing and protecting everyone too.

I do hope that you are in recovery now or on your way to be! Appreciate your time and help.

lots of love x

Hi. 

Oh I still have lots of questions so don't worry about that.  It's good to ask them.  

The nuclear medicine Dept will measure your boyfriends radioactivity before he leaves the hosp and give him guidance as to how long he needs to isolate and be careful around others.  

I brought a few changes into hosp with me and old towels and left them behind me.  I kept my going home clothes in plastic bags until I needed them. 

I only brought my phone in with me. 

The hospital staff should guide him as to what he is allowed to bring in with him as I think every hosp a little different. 

When I was allowed home my husband collected me and I sat in the back of the car.  

Im sure it all seems scary for you both but please don't worry about asking questions.  I asked them here also from the other members here and they were a great help then and now.

Remember don't go through this alone.  We are here to listen and help if we can. 

PF

He should take snacks and lemon sweets in too. Also lemon squash. 

If he's a reader get some books from charity shop that he can leave behind when he comes out. They will cover his mobile phone so he can still use it. 

His radiation readings will be checked every day by the hospital whilst he's in there. They will release him when it's low enough. The secret is shower lots, drink lots and wee lots!!!!

Good luck

Hey all

I am probably having my treatment in a few weeks. Does anyone know can you take an iPad? Is that the same as a phone in terms of covering it up? 

Also I am diabetic so have various things for that that I can't just leave behind afterwards. 

So all clothes need to be thrown away? I read somewhere else about doing a double wash cycle at home. 

And chargers? .  They need to be thrown out too, presumably? 

Thanks!