So the day has finally arrived for the iodine radiation pill. I’m glowing with anticipation. After 18 days of the LID (Low-Iodine Diet), my remaining thyroid tissue/cells are starving for some iodine. It has been hard to stick to the LID, but I did it!
Before Dr. Ladenson came in, we met with his Assistant, Marge and discussed my questions. So I cannot be within 3 feet of anyone for 3 days. (Frown) I can have visitors over, but they just have to stay at least 3 feet away. Well that is good to know! Marge went on to let me know that I might set off some radiactive detector alarms. What? No way! She gave me a letter that I need to carry with me for the next month just in case an alarm goes off. These alarms are in airports, government buildings and other buildings. Check out the JH Radiation Letter for the interesting details.
And now for the big moment. I was in the room with my Mom and in walks Dr. Ladenson and his 5 interns. He explained that once I took the pill with the iodine radiation, it would make me radioactive for a few days. The radiation will kill any remaining thyroid cancer cells and reduce the remaining layer of thyroid tissue. It will go through my digestive system and come out in my urine, saliva and persperation. (That is why I’m supposed to flush twice and put the toilet seat down, which made me think that some men might have a tough time remembering to put the seat down.)The actual thyroid area will be radioactive for a few months, but it will not be harmful. (Um, okay?) Some of the radiactive iodine will go into my saliva glands which may cause soreness over the next few days, so sucking on hard candies is recommended to keep the saliva flowing. (Very interesting – huh.)
The room got very quiet. Dr. Ladenson looked at me and asked, “Are you ready?” I said “Yes I am.” A few silent seconds went by as the intern was getting the pill out of the container. Yes, a container that was within a container. This is radioactive stuff and so that one little capsule of radioactive iodine was housed in layers of containers. See the pic below…
I then said, “It is so quiet in here. We need some music for this.” Within a half a second my Mom’s (bless her soul) cell phone started ringing in the form of a song. Perfect timing Mom! So she jumped up and left the roon to answer the call.
The intern brought over the capsule with a cup of water and gave it to me. Everyone watched as I took the capsule. Down it goes! Then my Mom came back in. She missed the big moment. And just like that I became radioactive. Let the 3 feet for 3 days begin.
Cancer SURVIVOR - The Journey 
How long for the radiation to work to know if cancer has been eliminated?
A doctor said 1-2 months is that rue? I heard they should know in a week or so.
Going today for my very 1st tracer scan and then today or tomorrow my rai dose. Praying I will be strong and the Lord will be with me. So much to learn about all this. I did thyrogen and dieted for 3 weeks but 3 days ago forgot and ate a piece of pizza (So stupid and really mad at myself I was doing so good) Dr said I would still be OK – any thoughts on that? nice to see the blog, I have felt so alone and now I realize I am not. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I’m back from the hospital, no side efect, I’ down to 10%, I have a 100mg. dosis (was niligramos)well I feel great, not side effects. I will be for 7 days more away from every one, I have all I need in the room, also have my own bath, that help a lot. I even have a microwave oven, I cook ahead, my husband will bring the food before he goes to work and for dinner, since a can have a regular diet, I will eat anything.hope this will be helpful to any one that have to have the pill.
Hi Ana! Thank you for sharing your comments with us about your RAI experience. Your honesty probably helped someone get through their RAI treatment to. I hope your still feeling well. -Jenn
Please did any one know how long I have to keep my dogs away? I will be at the hospital 3 days, I asume is a large dosis, I been crying since I found out about the tadiation<I'm very scare, my doctor did not give me much info, he thinks that I will back up. It is really necesary? I had total thyroid surgery.thank you
I had this done just recently, and my capsule was 13 midicule of radioactive iodine. They told me I had to stay 6 feet away for the first week, and then three feet after that. I also could not be near my toddler for over three weeks! Can I ask how you felt after and how long it took for your thyroid to be killed? I am now 3 months post and I am back on my propylthiouracil (PTU) to keep my thyroid levels low in the meantimes. I didn’t think I was going to need to take it ever again, as once the thyroid dies I would go on the synthroid or whatever it is called 9the synthetic hormone pill). I feel great, and have not had any horror story side effects or anything, just concerned that maybe it didn’t work and that I would need to have the radio-iodine treatment done again, which the Dr said could be a possibility. And now that your on the synthetic hormone, is it regulating well or are you having a lot of issues? Thanks so much for the info! Btw, I had hyperthyroidism caused by Graves Disease (no goiters or cancers or anything).
i am laying in the hospital bed right now, i just had my thyroid removed and the doctor was telling me about the radation just a few minutes ago, i am 29 with 3 kids under the age of 7 at home, how hard was it seperating ur self from everyone else and how long were u out of work for? (i do hair so this could be a problem lol) any more information that can be shared please send it my way thanks so much!!!
After the first dosage of RAI i was told to stay away from adults one week, especially children since I have 2 year old at home. I am wondering things around you can get radiation from you?, because I have to be in my room and I am very concern after the radiation because of my 2 year old toching things I just don’t know what to do……
Colleen how did your treatment go my daughter is 20 and goes in next week for a large dose and needs to stay at the hospital, did you have any side effects? we are in Syracuse ,NY
I hope mine goes the same way yours did just take the pill and go home. Im only 19 and not sure what to think of having cancer and doing radiation. But knowing it is that simple and hopefully wont hurt puts my mind at ease a little. I really do hope that you are doing well and thank you for sharing with everyone how it works (or at least how yours did) hopefully mine will be just as simple! Thanks again. ~Dawn
Hey Dawn – I hope your treatment goes well. Please post an update and share your experience. You’ll be in my prayers. ~Jenn
Hi Dawn,
How did the radioactive treatment go for your thyroid cancer? Hope all is well.
x0x0,
Jenn
thanks for the info i go in september the first for the rai pill. my wife was worried. thanks again rudi.
thanks fo the info. i go in september the first for the rai pill. nice to know what to expect. my wife was worried. thanks again. rudi
What dosage of RAI did you have? Just curious as I was not allowed to leave the hospital for 3 days and had to stay away from everyone else an additional 2 days especially younger than 12 children and anyone pregnant. I am possibly going to have another dose coming up and am hopeful that this one won’t be as strong and maybe I can take the pill and come home for a few days. Hope you are doing well now. Write anytime if you would like!
Colleen
You must have had a very large dose. They told me that if anyone was radiating over a specific reading they would not be allowed to be released into the public. I read as like 1.5 (they said anyone over 5 would not be able to go home for a few days) and my dose of radioactive iodine was about 13.5 midicule. They said the half life is 8 days, so after 8 days I was about 6.85, then after 8 more days I was about 3.42, etc… I could not be closer than 6 feet to anyone, especially children and pregnant women. They think I may need another dose as well, saying that the first dose might not have worked. That frustrates me because after going through all of that, and being uninsured (it cost me about 900 dollars!) I may have to go through it all over again!!!! Let me know how it went for you, and if you had to do it again, if you don’t mind. I would really like to know what to expect.