Taking potassium iodide pills during radiaition treatments?

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peppopat
peppopat Member Posts: 90
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi  all,

Just  got the word  yesterday  from the radiaiton onc that  I  don't qualify  for  Mammosite,  So disaapointed  and time for  another game plan. Since it's  inevitable that I will have do 6 weeks  for radiation to  the breast  I'm  wondering if it's to  plan  on taking these pills  that protect  the thyroid. I  could not find any  info on Google  so  I  come  here to ask.  Good  idea? Anyone  recommend it  and if so,  how much  and how often to  take?   I  understand that  some some people have gotten sick  from taking this  too much,   Problem is, too much  is different  each  individual.   I  asked  the doctor  and she did not have an opinion either way  so  I guess  her  patients are not being told  to take  BUT  I JUST WANT  TO BE  ON THE SAFE SIDE  when it  comes  to  my  thyroid.

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  • cycle-path
    cycle-path Member Posts: 1,502
    edited June 2011

    Why do you not qualify for Mammosite?

    If you're concerned about protecting your thyroid, why not ask for a small lead shield to be placed over it? That would probably be easier and just as effective. 

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  • peppopat
    peppopat Member Posts: 90
    edited June 2011

    I  didn't qualify  for Mammosite on three points:

     I missed  the "window" to  start treatment, meaning the tiny gap  caused by  removing the tumor  has  now closed  up. I  believe the window  is about a  month  only.

    Two,  I  have micro positive node  and despite reading that  Mammosite can be done  despite a  positive node,  the  general consensus is that  it's  not a good  idea.

    Three, the space,  regardless  of  whether I  had met the window or not was never big enough between the surface  of the skin and already  exisiting implant where the balloon is  inserted was not big enough  to  support the "balloon"  procedure. This would've  risked possible  burning to  the surface of  the skin,

     That  said,  I  was  not even close.

    Still looking for input on the  Iodide pills. It couldn't  hurt for double protection,   Just  wanted to  hear back from  someone who has used the pills  so they can tell the best way to them  during  treatment--nothing more.

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