Appetite Problems/ Black Outs

I'm 16 and had thyroid cancer last summer, had the surgery and RAI and the lovely diet that came along with it. This summer, I have to go on the diet again and go through all these other tests that will decide whether or not i need RAI again. My only slight concern is that last time i had RAI my appetite changed drastically. I can no longer eat or smell anything that i ate while i was on the diet, or else i throw up. I get sick just thinking about it. My appetite also went down and I can't really taste things anymore. My mouth is also always dry. I'm eating because I know I have to, but everything tastes like carboard. If i knew it wouldn't be a problem i wouldn't it. It's so frusterating. The doctors said it will wear off but it hasn't. Anyone feel the same way? Also I get black outs. Sort of often. It takes a minute before I can see again and i have to sit down and just wait a few minutes. I have low calcium but is that what's causing it?

 Any feedback would be great. Thanks.

I am still waiting for my taste buds to come back but it's only been six weeks.  I'm told in very rare cases, you can lose your taste buds permanently.  You may want to get a second opinion on your tastes buds.

I'd get a second doctor's opinion anyway.  I have never heard of black outs being a part of this procedure.  Something does not sound right at all and I'd get it checked immediately by a different doctor.  That's not something to ignore.  Not to cause panic...but something else could be going on.  I don't know RAI to cause that; only headaches at time of administering and first 24-48 hours.

Get to another doctor soon.

Let us know how you do.

I had RAI last summer too but the taste thing only last about 4 weeks.  I would go for a second opinion too.  I haven't had any "black outs" either. 

Good Luck.  I hope things improve for you.  Keep us posted.

Maybe your blood pressure is too low?  When I stand up, things get black for awhile and I have to sit down or lean against a wall to regain my balance and to see right again.  I found out that my blood pressure was way too low----like 88/55!  I suppose low calcium could cause it, too.  I agree that you need to tell your doctor or get a second opinion.  My taste buds were gone for about a month or two and my mouth was so dry that I absolutely could not even eat a cracker---it ended up a wad of dough in my mouth and I could never swallow it.  Also, I wonder if the RAI is what made you sick and feel nauseated when you think about the diet?  I had 150 RAI and I was very sick for 3 days.  Let us know what the doctor says and how you are doing!  Tara

I'm the same way with eating a cracker! How annoying. You're answer helped me a lot. I'm glad i'm not the only one. I can't tell my mother anything medical wise because she makes a huge deal out of everything and freaks out. But everything still tastes bland to me a year later, and this summer I'll be getting the RAI again so I'm hoping that doesn't take away from the taste i have left.

I hope not!  My taste slowly came back and I have more saliva than I did last year---but it's not the same.  I used to have to spit out a cracker if I tried to eat it because it was a ball of dry dough in my mouth.  Now, it's still difficult to swallow bread, crackers or anything else that's dry.  Once in awhile I will eat a lemon or a lime with sweetener on it just to stimulate my salivary glands.  When is your RAI tracer and WBS?  Can you have thyrogen?  I did this last time (but my insurance said NO and it cost me almost $3,000. Good old credit cards).   Check your blood pressure because I really think that might be the culprit (I'll nag you like your mother!).   Let me know how you are doing. Tara