Please help i know i have asked this before but cant find the answer , have a prescription for lugals 5% solution to be taken for 8 days

[Tatty10]

Before surgery, has anyone else had this i dont fully understand what its for also taking carbimazole

[shaws Administrator]

This is what I have found:

drugs.com/mmx/lugol-s-solut...

If you have worries, I would speak to the surgeon.

[Tatty10 in reply to shaws]

Thanks shaws and rod for your replies, as my surgery date is getting close i am becoming more and more anxious and cant seem to take in anything that my endo or the surgeon says to me sometimes i want to know how what when and why, then i cant take in the answers, this thyroid thing is so so complicated

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

It is quite often used in this way. (Though I cannot give you any idea about how what proportion of operations have this as a prelude.) It can reduce the size of the thyroid and reduce the blood flow to it.

bupa.co.uk/individuals/heal...

Wishing you well.

Rod

[Midwinter]

Hi

I had Lugol's as part of prep for emergency surgery (not thyroid) a while back. I was still hyper at the time and therefore an anesthetic risk. When used in this way it is supposed to temporarily "stun" the thyroid, I think by flooding it with iodine, which it needs to work, so it soaks it up ... they also prescribe it before thyroidectomy - although they don't normally do the thyroid op. until your levels are normal, I think it reduces the blood flow, making it a safer procedure.

It's basically iodine solution, tastes pretty vile. On the other hand at least you can have it in water or juice - I was Nil By Mouth and had to have it neat!

Good luck with the op - I've also got a date coming up, also scared!

XX

[Tatty10 in reply to Midwinter]

Thanks for the reply,is your operation for thyroid removal? The waiting is really awfull and stressing me out,wish it was over and done, hope everything goes well with your op.

Linda x

[Midwinter in reply to Tatty10]

Yes, it is a total "ectomy", unless I opt for RAI at the last minute ... I am on the wait list for surgery but as I have been "difficult" and have tried to avoid surgery until now, they also gave me the option of RAI even though not first choice as they suspect my eye disease is still active. Do let us know how you get on xx

Carole

[marram]

You don't say if you have been taking it or how, sorry that I have not seen this before.

It is essential to take it in preparation for a thyroid operation as it calms down the thyroid, reduces swelling

and reduces blood flow making the operation less risky.

It is usually taken for a week or so beforehand, and I have had it twice because I have had two thyroid ops. It is best to take it in a little milk otherwise it burns the mouth and throat, and to drink it with a straw is also helpful.

It is very important to take it as they may not go ahead with the op if you don't. If you don't take it and fail to tell them you are putting yourself at risk, once upon a time they would keep you in hospital to ensure compliance.

I do hope your op goes well,

Marie XXX

[Tatty10 in reply to marram]

Thanks to all, for the replies, have been given a prescription for it and when they phone me with a date for my op i need to take it for 8 days beforehand, i feel so overwhelmed by everything, and have only had a diagnosed thyroid problem for about 3 months, everything has happened so fast and i struggle to take in all the information from my doctors waiting for the op date is awfull, sure it wont be too long now, blood tests in morning, ecg in afternoon chest x rays on wednesday,

Linda x

[marram in reply to Tatty10]

So sorry, Linda, I agree it is very stressful, the waiting is the worst. I was on Carbimazole and also Propranolol because of the racing heart, I really feel for you. Do keep us posted as to your progress, once you get the date. Don't forget my advice to put the drops into a little milk and drink it with a straw, it is SO much easier to take that way. I know it will tell you water but I know it's OK to use milk because that is what they did in the hospital each time. The taste is not so bad and it stops it burning the mouth. All the best XXXXX

Marie

[Tatty10 in reply to marram]

Thank you for the advice marie, this forum is the only place i feel i get support and can ask questions and not feel stupid, will keep you posted regards linda x

[Midwinter in reply to Tatty10]

Mmm ... doctors don't seen to take into account how your thoughts are racing anyway, and how hard it is to get a grip on information when you've got thyroid issues. You can feel out of control anyway, without them rushing you through the op. On the other hand I think they tend to want to grab the opportunity while the thyroid is under control, since (from experience) it may not stay that way.

[Tatty10 in reply to Midwinter]

Yes, you are so right my doctors main concern is to get rid of my thyroid, and then control my symptoms with replacement thyroxine, which i suppose they are only doing their job, not taking anything else into consideration, that's why i find this forum so helpful because everyone is so understanding and some have actually been there in my position

take care, Linda x