Thyrogen shots--help!

[Guest guest]

beth L wrote:

> Seeing as how " thyrogen shots " were not supposed to be a part of my vocabulary

for a very long time (at least a couple of years), I have not been reading

emails regarding them. I know . . . shame on me . . . but really . . . there's

so many posts some days. Anyway, now it appears that I will probably be doing

thyrogen shots for my ablation. I am the experimental case . . . . . .

make sure this goes down in some history email somewhere.

You know it will. I've got a whole folder on you :-)

There's thyca as the world knows it, and then there's beth's thyca.

> So here are a few questions:

Hopefully others will answer based on their own experiences. I've never had

Thyrogen shots, but here's my impression:

> Do the shots hurt

Nope. Most people say not at all, others say like a pin prick.

> (any side effects?)

Usually none or minimal.

Fatigue often sets in (duh - you're going hypo overnight).

Headaches and nausea are the top side effects. It hasn't happened often among

list members, but the nausea can be alarming. Best to be prepared.

Some members have reported flu like symptoms (achiness, chills, etc.)

> How many shots?

Two. Almost always.

> How many days apart? And how quickly can RAI follow the shots?

Typical schedule ...

Monday - blood test (sometimes), first injection

Tuesday - second injection

Wednesday - RAI dose (4 mCi)

Friday - scan & blood test

Since you'll be getting the injections for treatment rather scanning, you'd

probably have the treatment on Friday. But since this is an unusual protocol,

it's best to get this info from your fabulous new endo.

> I think there are 2 shots right?

Right.

> Who gives them?

I'm afraid I really don't know.

> And how long does it take to get the TSH to rise--is it an immediate thing or

does it take weeks?

Hours or days; it'll be back down, close to normal by the end of the week.

> I mean could I plan on RAI in the next little while? Is thyrogen like

radiation where it has to be ordered or could I feasibly get the shots next

week?

It's usually readily available, but needs to be arranged with insurance; those

suckers are expensive (about $600 per vial)

> Any help and answers would be great. I know they're probably in the archives

somewhere.

They sure are. For more info, and for members' Thyrogen experiences, see

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/33681

NYC

[Guest guest]

< >

>> Do the shots hurt?

< >

> beth

>

beth

In my conversations with genzyme the Thyrogen shots do not usually

hurt if

1) the right size needle is used (The most common size is 23 gauge, 1

to 1.5 inches)

and

2) (I think...) the thyrogen is removed from the fridge a bit before

injecting. I seem to remember that if it is still fridge cold it

tends to hurt more - but you can ask the doctor about that....

Good luck

Joan