Ok...I have found an ENT that I absolutely love. He went over my labs and symptoms and has decided to go for a full thyroidectomy. Surgery is scheduled for the week of February 1st. Of course I am nervous, but I am also feeling like this might be an end to 9 years of being told nothing was wrong.
I am looking for any comments from people who have had a FULL thryoidectomy about what I can expect to feel like and anything else after surgery. When I should go back to feeling like myself and any other advice you can offer. Thanks so much!!!!
The following user gives a hug of support to sleepyallday: Leslie Denoff (03-03-2011)
I had my thyroid removed 6 years ago--on feb 1, for thyroid cancer. I had a great surgeon, I stayed overnight in the hospital, but was up and about pretty soon after the surgery. It sounds like you have a great surgeon---whom you like, so all should go smoothly.
You sound like you have a great attitude, and you should do very well. There have been people that have had overgrown diseased thyroids removed on here (my mother in law had this done) and live long and wonderful lives afterwards.
I highly recommend---tylenol pm for sleeping in the week after surgery, and soups, and of course, ice cream---these all made me comfy within the few days after surgery.
Hope all goes well!
The Following User Says Thank You to Reece For This Useful Post: sleepyallday (01-23-2011)
Thank you so much for the advice Reece. I am so thankful that I finally found a doctor who is not dismissing any of my symptoms. I am very nervous about the surgery, as anyone would be, so I thought asking about experiences would ease some of the tention a little. I am perfectly fine with an ice cream diet!!!
I just posted a similar one, but I am asking for feedback on having this procedure done. Did you go through medication(s) first to see if it resolved the problem before deciding on surgery?
I'm still weighing my options at this time and will be very interested in seeing what others share about Post-Op.
I just posted a similar one, but I am asking for feedback on having this procedure done. Did you go through medication(s) first to see if it resolved the problem before deciding on surgery?
I'm still weighing my options at this time and will be very interested in seeing what others share about Post-Op.
Thanks
Hello Looking4aAnswer,
I will find out all the details about my surgery this Weds (Jan 26), so I will definitely share whatever information I have been given with you. I have never been on any types of medication for my thyroid. I was pushed off about it for quite a few years now and ended up developing a goiter. I was told even with medications, the goitre is not going to go away and since it is now causing troubles with my breathing, it has to go out. I was told by my ENT that from his personal experience, he finds it so much easier to have thyroid surgery on those who have not been on Synthroid.
Were you given a choice on having or not having surgery??
The Following User Says Thank You to sleepyallday For This Useful Post: Looking4aAnswer (01-23-2011)
I just had my TT on Thursday. I read a LOT of boards before going in and promised myself I would do whatever I could to contribute and hopefully help people after my experience.
I freaked out when getting my IV because I have anxiety about relatively minor things. Once the IV was in, and I got over that, it was really fine! Here I am just three days later and not even taking Tylenol. Just tired and pretty much don't have a voice. . .which should resolve itself eventually.
Here are some little tips that have made a big difference, in no particular order of importance.
1) Wear a shirt that buttons home from the hospital.
2) Have comfort foods--like your favorite ice cream--waiting for you.
3) This one is huge, and it took almost 24 hours for a nurse to give me this advice. When you try to swallow, tuck your chin in. If not, you may feel like you're choking, and it's really hard to cough. That swallowing tip really has made a big difference!
4) Keep a rolled-up towel around your neck when you're at home resting and sleeping. It gives a lot of support. I haven't slept in bed yet. We don't have a recliner, but I am good on the couch as long as I have a ton of pillows to tuck this way and that around my neck to give me support and let me sleep.
5) If your doc hasn't already recommended this, do a lot of neck stretching exercises before the surgery. I didn't have any muscle pain or spasms at all after the surgery because I stretched a lot before hand.
6) Have a white board on hand. My voice isn't really working, and even whispering can be a little exhausting. It's been great just jotting things down to people on the board, and my kids think it's pretty amusing.
Good luck--if I can do it, anyone can. You may PM me with any other questions. I am only a few days out of this, so I am no expert, but everything is fresh in my mind!
The Following User Says Thank You to poetmom For This Useful Post: Looking4aAnswer (01-23-2011)
Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for all of your information. I read the boards a great deal, but it is so much nicer having an answer from someone who has just gone through it. You have given a lot of great advice that I will definitely remember for when my surgery is done. I love the idea of a white board, since I have children at home and I figured I would have no voice. Glad to hear you are doing so well so close to being done. How long did you spend in the hospital after surgery??
Best of luck in your recovery and I hope you feel back to normal shortly!!!
Anytime! I was so nervous about this surgery, but reading about it beforehand removed a lot of the mystery and helped me stay relatively calm. Regarding the hospital, I was in there for 26 hours. The first night they just let me eat clear liquids. I was ravenously hungry from fasting for the surgery, so they brought me a ton of jello. Then a nice nurse brought me pudding! They gave me a sleeping pill for that first night and kept me on oxygen so I would sleep a little more easily. The next morning I had an omlette and pancakes for breakfast. For the most part I was on Tylenol, but a couple times I asked for the heavier stuff. Still, the pain was never that bad. Will some one be around to help you with the kids?
I will find out all the details about my surgery this Weds (Jan 26), so I will definitely share whatever information I have been given with you. I have never been on any types of medication for my thyroid. I was pushed off about it for quite a few years now and ended up developing a goiter. I was told even with medications, the goitre is not going to go away and since it is now causing troubles with my breathing, it has to go out. I was told by my ENT that from his personal experience, he finds it so much easier to have thyroid surgery on those who have not been on Synthroid.
Were you given a choice on having or not having surgery??
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Hi sleepyallday,
I would greatly appreciate your feedback on this. The physician did say you would be taking medications after the surgery, correct? Oh great. I wonder why it's an easier process for "those who have not been on Synthroid", because I wonder if the same thing holds for Armour.
I'm taking some tough classes this quarter. It's a 12 week process and I am starting on Week Eight tomorrow and I am SO looking forward to having it done. I'm nearing completion of my Masters degree and this thyroid stuff has been interfering big time.
A choice for surgery? Let's see...as soon as I walked into his office he stated, "So, when do you want to set this up for surgery?" The second time he did the same thing. I was trying to explore other areas of treatment as opposed to the surgery and to be honest, he made me nervous.
I just had my TT on Thursday. I read a LOT of boards before going in and promised myself I would do whatever I could to contribute and hopefully help people after my experience.
I freaked out when getting my IV because I have anxiety about relatively minor things. Once the IV was in, and I got over that, it was really fine! Here I am just three days later and not even taking Tylenol. Just tired and pretty much don't have a voice. . .which should resolve itself eventually.
Here are some little tips that have made a big difference, in no particular order of importance.
1) Wear a shirt that buttons home from the hospital.
2) Have comfort foods--like your favorite ice cream--waiting for you.
3) This one is huge, and it took almost 24 hours for a nurse to give me this advice. When you try to swallow, tuck your chin in. If not, you may feel like you're choking, and it's really hard to cough. That swallowing tip really has made a big difference!
4) Keep a rolled-up towel around your neck when you're at home resting and sleeping. It gives a lot of support. I haven't slept in bed yet. We don't have a recliner, but I am good on the couch as long as I have a ton of pillows to tuck this way and that around my neck to give me support and let me sleep.
5) If your doc hasn't already recommended this, do a lot of neck stretching exercises before the surgery. I didn't have any muscle pain or spasms at all after the surgery because I stretched a lot before hand.
6) Have a white board on hand. My voice isn't really working, and even whispering can be a little exhausting. It's been great just jotting things down to people on the board, and my kids think it's pretty amusing.
Good luck--if I can do it, anyone can. You may PM me with any other questions. I am only a few days out of this, so I am no expert, but everything is fresh in my mind!
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Hi Poetmom,
Would you mind keeping me posted as well? I need to make a decision pretty soon and appreciate all your information on this.
Sure! I guess I should say why I got the surgery. I've had a big nodule tracked for about 10 years. I've had 4 biopsies: 2 benign and 2 "unclear"--that whole follicular neoplasm thing. Since the nodule really grew in size over the past year, my endo recommended surgery. My thyroid has functioned fine. During my two pregnancies I was borderline hyper and took some medication for a couple of months. (I don't remember what it was.) Now I am on Levothyroxine. In a couple of days I'll find out if this was really cancer or not, and I know that will change things as I prep for the RAI. I'm not too stressed because I know it is so curable--more stressed about the logistics of what to do with the kids while I'm radioactive! Nice thing about the surgery is no more biopsies!
Anytime! I was so nervous about this surgery, but reading about it beforehand removed a lot of the mystery and helped me stay relatively calm. Regarding the hospital, I was in there for 26 hours. The first night they just let me eat clear liquids. I was ravenously hungry from fasting for the surgery, so they brought me a ton of jello. Then a nice nurse brought me pudding! They gave me a sleeping pill for that first night and kept me on oxygen so I would sleep a little more easily. The next morning I had an omlette and pancakes for breakfast. For the most part I was on Tylenol, but a couple times I asked for the heavier stuff. Still, the pain was never that bad. Will some one be around to help you with the kids?
Best wishes!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hi Poetmom,
Did you experience difficulty talking afterwards as well?
Sure! I guess I should say why I got the surgery. I've had a big nodule tracked for about 10 years. I've had 4 biopsies: 2 benign and 2 "unclear"--that whole follicular neoplasm thing. Since the nodule really grew in size over the past year, my endo recommended surgery. My thyroid has functioned fine. During my two pregnancies I was borderline hyper and took some medication for a couple of months. (I don't remember what it was.) Now I am on Levothyroxine. In a couple of days I'll find out if this was really cancer or not, and I know that will change things as I prep for the RAI. I'm not too stressed because I know it is so curable--more stressed about the logistics of what to do with the kids while I'm radioactive! Nice thing about the surgery is no more biopsies!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hi Poetmom,
I'm confused. You had surgery and are also going through the RAI as well?
No, the RAI is only if it is cancer. I won't know until the pathology results come back from the TT in a day or two. If it is, then I will do the RAI.
The talking (or lack thereof) is the worst part of all this. It's a bummer because I own my own tutoring business and will lose a lot of $ each week that I can't talk. There's nothing I can do, though, so I'm just trying to be patient and thankful that I don't have a life-threatening condition!
The Following User Says Thank You to poetmom For This Useful Post: Looking4aAnswer (01-24-2011)
Oh absolutely! Your health is the highest priority.
My visit at the Drs. went well and he said we should wait and see in the next 6 weeks before deciding if surgery is a necessity, so I will keep waiting,,,
Hi,
I had a total thyroidectomy 2 weeks ago. I started writing up my story to maybe help others. If you'd like to see the pictures, please email me. This is the part about the surgery:
The day of the surgery I had to be there at 9:30am. I figured I was scheduled for 11am, as it takes a good hour to get you "prepped" in the gown and cleaned and start the IV and all that. They couldn't start my IV because I have tiny veins and the nurse doing it says, "I am not turning ANYONE into a sprinkler. They can do it in the operating room", which I found funny. I wasn't too scared, which I usually am. Perhaps because I felt comfortable with my decision. Or maybe because I wasn't HYPERthryoid at that moment.
Finally, at a little before 12pm, I am wheeled into the operating room. They put me onto the table and that's when I lost it. "I don't want to do this...." The guy doing my IV starts to say, "this is where you get the good stuff" but before he was done I had lost consciousness.
I woke up and asked what time it was. I was told "6:15". Holy sh**. That wasn't three hours. That was SIX hours! I could barely whisper, but the nurse seemed to understand what I was saying. She gave me ice chips and boy were they good! My throat really needed that ice! I also noticed this thing that looked like a hand grenade (rubbery plastic) hanging from my throat. They told me they actually called it a hand grenade, but there must be a really technical name for it. It was a drain. I was told before the procedure that 50% of thyroidectomies wake up with drains. When you lose an organ or body part, the cavity fills with fluids. Before I went home, the grenade filled 3 times.
My doctor seemed to always be there. I thought, "Doesn't this guy have a social life?" Or maybe I was in such sad shape he was watching over me? I don't know. I watch all these medical shows and the doctors who sit by their patients are the ones who thought the person wasn't going to make it. Did little to comfort me.
They eventually moved me to a room, by myself. The blood people came to take calcium levels every 4-6 hours (I think, not 100% clear on times). My arms were so beaten up it hurt really bad to take the blood. At around 4am, they moved in a roommate for me, an older woman who seemed to be used to having things done for her. She was not amused that she had lost her other room.
That first night it was AMAZING to go to sleep and feel like I had no heartbeat. I kept feeling for it. Even when on ATD'S, the heart still bumped along pretty strong. It was so weird.
The next day when I went to the bathroom, I struggled to see my neck in the mirror. I cannot lift my head up very far. This cut, which is pretty big, feels like a tight noose around my neck. I cannot turn side to side very easily, either.
My kids and husband show up that night and all three winced empathetically when they saw my neck. I had bruises on both top and bottom of the cut and the drain thing sticking out. I was closed up with some glue-like substance, which I was told was better for the scar. Between the top of the cut and my chin I am numb. I talked to the doctor about that later and he said muscles that are usually moved during surgery were cut and sewn back together. I may or may not get feeling back in this area.
Doctors were coming in. They had to "meet the thyroid". No one could believe what went on in that operating room. My thyroid was so huge and snaked around every single thing in my neck. Things had to be cut, things had to be sewn back together. My simple surgery was a MAJOR surgery.
Regarding pain, there wasn't THAT much, like I expected. My throat was sore (tube from anesthesia?), I had a little difficulty swallowing - which I expected. I did not expect to feel like a rope was tightening around my neck, though. I took a pain pill here and there which put me to sleep for hours.
On about the third day after surgery, my surgeon came in and nonchalantly announced he was removing the drain. "Little pinch" he says. It hurt like a mother! Owwww! "You lie!" I yelled in my extremely hoarse voice. So drain removal HURTS.
My calcium levels dipped, as expected. I was told no total thyroidectomy DOESN'T hurt the parathyroid glands, the ones that regulate your calcium level. They have to cut the thyroid off of the parathyroids - they are attached. They expected this dip and they fed me calcium and vitamin D to absorb it. It dipped twice and I guess seemed level enough for me to go home after that.
I might also add that at this time I started with nausea. From the surgery? From the anesthesia? It comes and goes. The nurse gives me anti-nausea meds in my IV.
I went home the evening of the third night. Getting home was tiring and I just walked in the door and onto the couch. Within minutes I was asleep.
The next morning, around 10am, I took a pain pill and slept til 3pm. After that I really only needed tylenol.
It's been quite an ordeal to get to this place. It is now 7 days after surgery. My tight noose is finally starting to loosen. I am still plagued by nausea, but I just read < edited > that you're supposed to take calcium HOURS after taking the synthroid. Calcium blocks the absorption of replacement hormone. Calcium overdose causes nausea. I don't know what it is. I hate to call the doctor, he never knows anything - ha ha - but I guess I have to. I also feel lightheaded when I stand up - which could be lack of thyroid hormone. And horribly, my palpitations are back.
The day of this last paragraph - 7 days after surgery - I went to the ER because of my symptoms. My TSH was 67. It's supposed to hover around 2. My T4 was "non-existant". I was SEVERELY hypothyroid due to lack of medication. My endocrinologist obviously lacks the skills to deal with thyroids and I am searching for yet another one. Unfortunately, I have to go back to him at least once more to get the medication.
The ER upped my 50mg to 200mg and I feel much better. The nausea is almost completely gone and I have some energy. I am still cold, which tells me 200mg is still not enough.
It is now 11 days after the surgery. The noose is still loosening. Not enough for my liking, but we're getting there. I'm still cold. I have more energy. My hair feels nice. I am worried about losing more of it as hair loss is a side-effect of synthroid. It's also a side-effect of hypothyroidism so I don't think I'll be keeping it all. My puffy face, from before the surgery, is slimming down. I am still at the same weight. I am still numb.
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The Following User Says Thank You to Terrybee For This Useful Post: Looking4aAnswer (02-02-2011)
Ok...I have found an ENT that I absolutely love. He went over my labs and symptoms and has decided to go for a full thyroidectomy. Surgery is scheduled for the week of February 1st. Of course I am nervous, but I am also feeling like this might be an end to 9 years of being told nothing was wrong.
I am looking for any comments from people who have had a FULL thryoidectomy about what I can expect to feel like and anything else after surgery. When I should go back to feeling like myself and any other advice you can offer. Thanks so much!!!!
Hi there,
Just was wondering how you are doing? I am scheduled for full thyroidectomy on Feb. 16th. Very nervous as well. Just wanted to see how you did and anything you can tell me...thanks so much.
Hi there,
Just was wondering how you are doing? I am scheduled for full thyroidectomy on Feb. 16th. Very nervous as well. Just wanted to see how you did and anything you can tell me...thanks so much.
I am now 18 days post-op (if I've counted correctly!). I am still numb from the chin to the cut. On the left side of my neck it hurts, kinda feels like burning. I don't know if the numbness wore off in this spot or what - seeing the surgeon on Friday. I can turn my head easily in all directions now. My voice is still extremely hoarse and I can't talk loud. The "glue" holding the cut together is starting to peel off. Tightness I described as a noose is less and less. I think it's loosening with the glue coming off. My 200mg of synthroid is definately not enough hormone, but endo doesn't want to up it too fast. Have to wait another two weeks for bloodwork. I'm not feeling totally hypothyroid, but some. The meds are enough to feel OKAY.
It's normal to feel nervous. I always have complications in all my surgeries. You probably won't. Remember, my thyroid was EXTREMELY large. Everyone I've talked to has done really well. Everyone I've talked to was happy with the outcome. And I've talked to ALOT of people. Just make sure they give you replacement hormone RIGHT AWAY. You are probably already hypothyroid just getting ready for the surgery. I ended up in the ER thanks to my crappy doctor, not the surgery. You might want to take a small rolled-up towel (kitchen towel size works great) for neck support. Those c-shaped pillows will annoy your incision. Also, if you have any dietary issues, BRING FOOD. I have gluten intolerance and it took my meals 2 hours longer to get. Sooooo glad I brought snacks! Good luck and feel free to ask questions!
Terry
Hi. I just had a total thyroidectomy on Thursday. I had been diagnosed with Graves disease about 25 years ago. Blood levels leveled off over the years and I have been off all meds for about 20 years.
I was left with nodules which I was told to keep an eye on. I had 1 sono about 10 years ago and never had a repeat test. Don't know why I decided to get checked out again recently, but it was a good thing that I did. After the sono, the doctor suggested a biopsy. When the biopsy results came in it was suggestive of cancer. Needless to say, I was extremely upset. I was recommended a surgeon (who was wonderful) and I was told to have my entire thyroid removed asap.
I was terrified of the surgery (not my first of surgeries) but was still scared.
After the surgery I awoke with the worst neck pain imaginable. I was so scared I had a panic attack in the recovery room. The doctor applied warm compresses to the back of my neck along with pain medication and it helped. Believe it or not, the incision did not hurt me one bit. The stiffness in my neck hurt more. I had pain in my throat from the anesthesia tube and muscles around the neck. I was able to eat and speak the very next day. I was actually released to go home the day after the surgery. Other than the fact that once and a while I get a palpitation or a little pain when swallowing I feel great.
It is now 4 days post surgery. I return to the doctor tomorrow to have my incision checked and to go over the pathology results. What can I expect at that visit???? Will synthroid be prescribed? I was already prescribed 2400 mg of calicum with D. I have never been overweight and am terrified that I will become hypo and gain weight. Is this something I can expect? Does anyone know how long I have to wait before I can apply something on the neck scar?
Hi. I just had a total thyroidectomy on Thursday. I had been diagnosed with Graves disease about 25 years ago. Blood levels leveled off over the years and I have been off all meds for about 20 years.
I was left with nodules which I was told to keep an eye on. I had 1 sono about 10 years ago and never had a repeat test. Don't know why I decided to get checked out again recently, but it was a good thing that I did. After the sono, the doctor suggested a biopsy. When the biopsy results came in it was suggestive of cancer. Needless to say, I was extremely upset. I was recommended a surgeon (who was wonderful) and I was told to have my entire thyroid removed asap.
I was terrified of the surgery (not my first of surgeries) but was still scared.
After the surgery I awoke with the worst neck pain imaginable. I was so scared I had a panic attack in the recovery room. The doctor applied warm compresses to the back of my neck along with pain medication and it helped. Believe it or not, the incision did not hurt me one bit. The stiffness in my neck hurt more. I had pain in my throat from the anesthesia tube and muscles around the neck. I was able to eat and speak the very next day. I was actually released to go home the day after the surgery. Other than the fact that once and a while I get a palpitation or a little pain when swallowing I feel great.
It is now 4 days post surgery. I return to the doctor tomorrow to have my incision checked and to go over the pathology results. What can I expect at that visit???? Will synthroid be prescribed? I was already prescribed 2400 mg of calicum with D. I have never been overweight and am terrified that I will become hypo and gain weight. Is this something I can expect? Does anyone know how long I have to wait before I can apply something on the neck scar?
Any additional questions I should ask tomorrow?
I think the quicker we're on the correct dose, the better our weights will be. I am terrified of weight gain, also, but so far, so good. Not even an extra pound. I have a list of questions for my surgeon, which I will see on Friday like how long to continue this high dose of calcium (I'm on 2,650 mg), when will the tightness go away, voice come back, etc. But I'm sure you have your own questions. Synthroid, from all the research I've done, is supposed to be started within 3 days of removal. This is why I ended up in the ER - not enough. I BEGGED and got a tiny dose of 50mg/day. The ER upped it to 200mg. My TSH was 67! Re: the scar - they told me not to put anything on it until the glue fell off. Did you get glue, staples or stitches?
