The Radioactive Iodine treatment was on Day 16.
I continue to receive questions about RAI after care/ and safety precautions. You should always directly your physician care team for updated/current practices. There is quite a bit of confusion since different regions of the USA address RAI after care differently...in the greater Southeast where we live, patients are sent home within a few hours of treatment while in other areas, patients are admitted to the hospital.
My husband's radiologist team did provide basic RAI diet instructions and after care/ safety guidelines. I, as many of you, felt we needed more detailed safety information before my husband returned home after ingesting the radioactive capsule.
In addition to the updated information provided by your physician care team, here are two additional resources you may consider: (copy and paste into your browser)
https://www.thyroid.org/wp-content/uploads/patients/brochures/Radioactive_IodineFAQ.pdf
http://www.thyca.org/pap-fol/rai/#afte
http://www.thyca.org/pap-fol/rai/#afte
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Breakfast
-Per doctor, light breakfast before 6:30am ok since RAI scan appointment is at 8am- with the radioactive iodine dose administered early afternoon.
-Steel cut oats with brown sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon.
-Blueberries
-Cranapple juice
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| Yes, that's the canister with the radioactive iodine capsule. It was lead-lined and weighed ~15 lbs. |
-Could not eat for 2 hours after the RAI ...no lunch!
Snack
-Banana
-Diet Coke
Dinner
At RAI appointment, physician mentioned that "sense of taste" may be off for about 4 weeks beginning 72 hours after RAI---in other words, when we discontinue the LID and switch back to our usual diet!
Sounds like many patients complain of a metallic taste.... Decided to make a spicy dish tonight since no nausea and he can still taste his food!
Sounds like many patients complain of a metallic taste.... Decided to make a spicy dish tonight since no nausea and he can still taste his food!
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| Homemade spicy rub- seared chicken with coconut milk and lime zest quinoa. Homemade mango sauce. Notice- food is served on a disposable paper plate- also used plastic utensils- since everything must be discarded for two days following the RAI. |
-Seared chicken breasts with homemade spice rub (Smoked paprika; garlic powder; onion powder; ground cumin, chipotle chile powder; kosher salt and fresh ground pepper).
-Homemade mango sauce: place the following in a blender: peeled/seeded ripe mango, 1-2 T. rice vinegar, garlic, kosher salt, cumin, chipotle chili powder and smoked paprika. Process until smooth. Reduce on stove top if needed.
-Homemade mango sauce: place the following in a blender: peeled/seeded ripe mango, 1-2 T. rice vinegar, garlic, kosher salt, cumin, chipotle chili powder and smoked paprika. Process until smooth. Reduce on stove top if needed.
-NOTE: Check with your doctor on the iodine content of quinoa. I did
prepare this meal with it during my husband's LID since it was zero sodium-
we assumed it was ok but, I have recently read that it may contain
iodine. You should double check before eating.
Quinoa cooked with 1 c. lite coconut milk and 1 cup of no-salt chicken stock for one cup of dry quinoa; added kosher salt, zest and juice from one lime and dried cilantro leaves (did not have fresh cilantro on hand).
FYI: I did serve all his meals on disposable paper/plastic after the RAI.
Quinoa cooked with 1 c. lite coconut milk and 1 cup of no-salt chicken stock for one cup of dry quinoa; added kosher salt, zest and juice from one lime and dried cilantro leaves (did not have fresh cilantro on hand).
FYI: I did serve all his meals on disposable paper/plastic after the RAI.
Taste Update 1 : At about a week after the RAI, my husband began to
experience taste issues. We were waiting and expecting some level of
sense of taste disturbance and it happened very quickly- one day, foods
didn't taste quite right and then a day and half later- everything
tasted like soap, plastic or metal. My husband tried to be patient
and remind himself that many folks regain taste in 4-8 weeks but, it was
frustrating....when everything that goes into his mouth tastes the same- like soapy plastic or soapy fish---even water!
Taste Update 2 : My husband's sense of taste returned gradually in about 7 weeks. Every once in awhile a bite of something tastes a bit off but, then often the next bite tastes as it should. Hang in there- and give it some time!
Taste Update 2 : My husband's sense of taste returned gradually in about 7 weeks. Every once in awhile a bite of something tastes a bit off but, then often the next bite tastes as it should. Hang in there- and give it some time!
Good Health to You!
New Products Used Today
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| Check with your doctor on the iodine content of quinoa. I did prepare foods with it during my husband's LID since it was zero sodium- we assumed it was ok but, I have recently read that it may contain iodine. You should double check before eating. We love quinoa and prepare it regularly. This bag was purchased at Costco but, have seen at grocery stores. Zero sodium. |
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| Zero sodium; purchased at Whole Foods. |
