Hi bubblymags,

I'm not a great poster on forums but you sound like you could use some info. Just to let you know a little bit what to expect.

Before RAI, I was only off meds for 2 weeks (I was taking T3 not T4 at the time). I felt tired but not ill and worked until the week before (some people don't, probably depends on the type of work you do).

When I arrived at the hospital on a Monday morning I went up to the ward, and was shown my room which was at the end of a corridor. There was a window although it was too high to see out of. I had an "ensuite" bathroom, shower etc. The nurses were nice. The first thing they did was give me lunch! After lunch the physicist came and gave me "the drink". It didn't taste of anything much. I was pretty worried after taking it, but didn't really feel anything at all, not sick or anything. The nurses kept their distance though, but they brought me food and water regularly and said I could ring whenever I wanted anything. I could have visitors, although they had to stay behind a screen at the foot of the bed. The door to my room was left open, unless I wanted to close it, which I did at night. I was given disposable pyjamas and disposable towels for use after showering. The only side effect from the RAI was a slight odour, which disappeared after a day or two. The physicist measured my radiation levels on Tuesday and Wednesday, when I was allowed home, after having a scan, which didn't take long. I drank loads of water to clear the RAI from my system.

After I went home I restarted medication and went back to work 2 weeks later. I have felt fine since then, although I go back for regular review.

It really is the best treatment. The isolation for a couple of days is the worst thing, but hopefully you will have a phone and a TV and you can probably take in books and DVDs, although you won't get them back. Wishing you all the best.

hi thank u for your reply well ive got a week n a half to go then i go in for my treatment i told my wee boy i was going to manchester for a while so he is going to stay with his aunty, it will be hard on the monday morning droping him at school then knowing i wnt see him for over a week ,ive bn very tired bn off my thyroxine my face keeps on swellen up n going all rashy ,but as i keep saying its only for a short time being nt well then it will be all over with ,i hope you have bn fine after your treatment ,i will keep you posted ,fingers crossed all goes well

Hello, i was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at 12, im now 15 and in remission. My oncologist can't get rid of the cancer spots on my lungs but their inactive thankfully! (althought they have caused a lung disease:| ) I had 5 radio iodine treatments, so i know how hard it is them few weeks before. I thought i'd write as i don't know many people like me and its good to talk to others who are sharing the cancer experience! Best of luck!! Jordan xx

Hi Bubblymags

Not long now till it's all over! I guess you won't be feeling great right now as you'll be very hypothyroid, but you'll definitely start feeling better once you're back on medication. Try and make the most of your hospital stay - take in books/magazines/DVDs etc (but only if you don't mind leaving them behind!). Also, you might want to take in juice or snacks, in case the hospital food's not to your taste.

Thinking of you!! x

thank u very much for thinking of me it means alot ,yer i go in tomorow so very nervous i think once im there i will be ok,im just very tired at the moment cant be bothered with anything but as u said wont be long till i get bk to normal i cant wait,how have you been after all your treatment ,anyway i will keep u upto date wen i get bk out ,thank you once again .xx

Hi Bubblymags,

I guess you'll either get out of hospital today, or maybe tomorrow, depending on your levels. They'll give you a sheet telling you how long before you can go near people, children etc, again depending on your levels I think. Hopefully you'll be able to give your son a hug in a few days!

The worst should be over by now - I did hate the isolation and came out of hospital with a bit of a complex - I felt contaminated!! but it soon wore off and I started feeling normal again. The medication should start to kick in soon. Going by my sheet, I felt as if I were expected to go back to work the following week, but I stayed off for two weeks afterwards. Even then, I've heard of people staying off much longer, but I did feel okay and haven't had any problems back at work.

I take 100 mcg Thyroxine but they may put this dose up at my next review, as most people I've heard of with no thyroid seem to take more. I feel absolutely fine on this dose, but it depends on your blood levels, if you've had thyroid cancer they like your TSH level to be completely supressed.

If you need more information on how to cope, there is a Thyroid Disease Support Forum with a section on thyroid cancer and it is very helpful.

Wishing you a speedy recovery, xx

well im out its over with im so glad ,well i went into the beatson glasgow on the 23rd march 09 ,i got shown my room at first i was scared but then i thought it has to be done ,i got my drink it didnt taste of anything ,then i was left to it,my room was ok after half an hour they gave me water n by god i drank plenty of it ,i didnt get any visitors that night ,on the tuesday i woke at 6 i felt very sick well as if i had a hangover minus the drink haha,i put up with it until lunch time,my family n friends called me so that was good ,i was given antisickness tab to help n it did ,the staff wer great really friendly,i didnt get any other symtoms which was good ,on the wednesday morning i woke up i felt down n sick but i thought nope this is my body i will fight u n i did ,i went for my scan at 9 and wat a walk to get to it the doctor that took me walkd a good bit in front so that felt strange ,i came back to my room and i was really fed up i just sat on my bed then the doctor came in and said id done really well and i can get home at 2 oclock i was releaved,i was glad because i was getn depressed ,i got home now that was another story it just got harder ,my wee boy of 8 thought i was in manchester with my work so i had to lie to him ever day ,he is stayn at his aunts ,in the house people still cant come near me i felt as if i had the plague ,ive felt dizzy n really sick since ive got out i think its to do with the tablets im on ,i feel down as well but hope it will pass ,on saturday it was amazing i got a cuddle off my dad and fiance an boy wat a feeling,i get my wee boy back tomorow tuesday n i cant wait ive had him crying down the phone n thats so had because as a mother u just want to help ur kid not to upset them ,i feel hes been punished as well for me having cancer and its not fair ,anyway i could go on and on ,the whole experience wasnt as bad as i thought all i can say is if any body is going in for it is to stay positive and keep ur head down and just get on with it ,its only a couple of days its not a year of treatment n loosing hair n stuff think of the ones that are worse of than us , any questions just ask me .xxx

Hi Bubblymags

well done you

your sounding very positive

wish you well for tomorrow fancy it will be emotional for both

chin up

Hi Bubblymags

well done you

your sounding very positive

wish you well for tomorrow fancy it will be emotional for both

chin up