Am I safe near colleague?

[Mrs W 11]

Hi ladies,

Just posting this on the off chance anyone might be able to help! My colleague at work has cancer and had a nuclear injection on Thursday before a scan to look at a tumour.

It was all very awkward as she told us before she left she wasn't allowed to be near anyone who is pregnant after the injection so if anyone was to let her know. I only found out the day before and wasn't ready to tell people so I just told my boss it hadn't been handled very sensitively and as anyone could be pregnant and not want to say she shouldn't really come back that day. That was sorted and she didn't come back.

Now I'm really worried about tomorrow as I haven't seen her since. It's all so awkward, do I just tell her and ask if its safe to sit near her? Or does anyone have any experience here and know if I am ok tomorrow?

The worry is really getting to me with all the hormones and I feel very tearful about it.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Mrs W 11]

Just to add, the lady is the loveliest lady and its terribly sad situation with her cancer. I only typed the facts so I hope I didn't sound like I am not bothered about her situation because I absolutely am so sad about it all. I'm just super worried for my baby. X

 

[maggiesimpson]

Not sure if this is the exact same thing, but it sounds pretty similar. I googled "how long after a nuclear injection is it safe to be around pregnant women" and the very first link had this response in it.

Can a pregnant woman be around a family member who is treated with radioiodine?
A

Yes, there is no risk from external radiation exposure. Patients treated with radioiodine and released from the hospital must meet certain regulatory restrictions. The total radiation exposure that a family member or caregiver can receive from a patient released from the hospital is 500 mrem (or 5 millisievert). This radiation dose is well below the radiation doses known to cause fetal effects (by at least an order of magnitude).

The guideline to follow when living in the same quarters as a patient who had radioiodine therapy is not to use the same utensils or same toilet, share food, or have skin-to-skin contact with the patient, as the radioiodine will be on the skin and in the saliva of the patient. These restrictions would apply for seven days.

I also found another site that said there is no risk to pregnant women. It may just be a precaution based on old information. I remember being told the same thing when I had an injection for a bone scan 20 years ago. They want to err on the side of caution, but it really should be safe. Can you put in a call to your doctor or a birth center to ask before you go back to work? If I was you I would call the birth center at my hospital today, since I would be able to get ahold of someone and you probably want an answer before going back to work (assuming you are off on weekends).

 

[Mrs W 11]

Thanks maggie. I've only just found out so i Don't have a midwife or anything yet. I could call the local hospital where she had the scan though and ask them tomorrow morning.

Must of the googling I've done says its safe within 24 hours. I just keep thinking what is anything happens to the baby/foetus I'd never ever forgive myself, all because I didn't want to tell people. X

 

[Celesse]

If it was me I'd be thinking of pulling a sicky and maybe making a trip to my own GP to ask.

 

[fifie123]

If she has cancer it was probally the last thing on her mind thinking about people who could be pregnant. She could walk past hunderds of just pregnant ladys

 

[pinkpassion]

Within 24 hrs it should all be out of her system... or at least that's what they told me when I was around someone that had a radionuclear injection for a scan.... this was before I was pregnant so I was assured after that 24 hr period, however if it happened while I was pregnant I believe I would wait a week before having close contact.. Maybe you should just keep your distance.. they tell you even before the 24 hr period just don't get in their personal space, so as long as you aren't hugging her I think you will be ok!! Maybe take a sick day if you'd like and call your doc!!!

 

[Mrs W 11]

If she has cancer it was probally the last thing on her mind thinking about people who could be pregnant. She could walk past hunderds of just pregnant ladys

Walking past a pregnant woman is very different to sitting next to one for 8 hours a day!! If its a danger to the development of my baby then obviously it's the most important thing to me. And as I mentioned above, it was on her mind, she told us that's how I know, but I don't want to tell everyone my news yet so I was asking for any advice on how long to stay away from her for.

 

[Angelbaby_01]

Mrs W is there a chance that you can call in sick and hear from you doctor? I always believe, if you doubt then don't. You might feel this way for a reason. Go with your gut.

 

[shortnstumpy]

I had to escort a patient to nuclear medicine for a scan and was sent back to the hospital by the radiologist as I couldn't chaperone the patient once she had the injection. I was told basically to steer clear of body fluids for 24hrs. I was just allocated a different patient load when I got back to work

 

[ItsAWonder]

It completely depends on the injection she had and her doctor needs to be asked. My neighbor had one and his pregnant wife could not be around him for 2 weeks. This was for graves disease (a type of thyroid disease).

 

[Mrs W 11]

Thanks everyone. In the end I called the hospital where I know she had the scan and asked them. They reassured me that it would have been gone from her system within 24 hours so I was definately fine today. When she got in she talked about her weekend with her daughter who is pregnant so I know it was fine or she wouldn't have out her grandson at risk.