Dizziness after Parathyroidectomy

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Are any of you feeling any better? Reading Dr Norman web site, I am suppose to be 100% better right away. My surgery is scheduled with Dr Chris Raeburn at the University of Colorado on 4/21/08 and I want to be better. Please some one tell me that you feel better!!!

I am beginning to think Dr Norman's Web site is a bunch of misleading advertising.

Leida · Newbie Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Posts: 14

I expect he puts the 'best' letters in the testimonials. I did have surgery with him three weeks ago and he is both kind and an excellent surgeon.

But - I'm certainly not feeling 10 years younger by a longshot. I think for some people that can happen, but for a lot of us, there can be a kind of hormonal cascade or something. I had high calcium for over five years, and it did a lot of damage to the rest of my body - unfortunately recovery is apt to be a long haul - at least to me that seems the case.

I really hope I'm wrong, and I have talked with people who felt fine shortly (within 1-3 months) after surgery. But for some of us, it may take a while before our bodies adjust to the lower calcium levels and all the other changes that result from that. Or at least I'm *trying* to think positively. I did have a reduction in bone pain and an improvement in eyesight pretty quickly post-surgery, but the calcium supplements make me ill at the stomach, I've got various neurological weirdnesses going on, and all of a sudden I'm having panic attacks (a new one for me).

Really hoping it gets better, but I'm up and down - though even my 'up' days are far from perfect.

parathyroidpatient · Newbie Joined: 03 Apr 2008 Posts: 6

Leida,

Just checking in to see how you are feeling. I had surgery 2weeks ago and am feeling a bit better. I have also been experiencing some anxiety, yuk! But am wondering if they may have something to do with post-op side effects.

I have been on Cephalexin (antibiotic) since surgery, and I read that it can cause depression/anxiety, joint pain, fatigue,..... things that make you go hmmmm....... wondering if this could be part of the reason I am not bouncing back... yesterday was my last dose so, we'll see....

I also have been taking mega-doses of calcium and D. The first week I was taking 2 tabs 4x's daily, second week 2 tabs 3x's daily and I just started the 2 tabs 2x's daily.

I did have a pretty good day as far as energy wise, a couple of days ago. And had a crash the next day from overdoing. Yesterday was a good day for energy as well, however still have the generalized anxiety, which just hangs on.

I am wondering if you have good days, then bad... and did you have that before surgery as well? I sure did, had days where I had energy and days I did not. Bone pain was all the same, but seems like I could push through on certain days and be able to function pretty well.

I think my bone pain is starting to diminish a bit, but still having some hair loss. I spoke with my surgeon's nurse the other day, she said I needed to probably go in and have my levels checked again, so I have an appt. on Tues. to have blood drawn.

Looking forward to hearing from you ~ L.

Leida · Newbie Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Posts: 14

I'd say I'm having better and worse days, too. I went diabetic after I got the tumour, and I'm still not certain if those were/are related. Plus throw in fibromyalgia, a systemic mycoplasmal infection, and rheumatoid arthritis, and I never feel really 'good'.

But definitely improvement since the surgery. Before that I had bad days and worse days - and the worse days would sometimes go on for weeks. Things like taking a bath were a MAJOR accomplishment (yup, I was that wiped out), and my legs had this funny way of collapsing under me if I walked half a block.

Since the surgery: No funny collapsing leg tricks, a definite reduction in bone pain - it's still there, but it hasn't woken me up and it used to do that every night without fail - bad enough to need instant release morphine. That's gone, thankfully, and I've managed baths every day - so overall, I guess I have more energy than I did. Plus my eyesight is a lot better - my reading glasses work now.

On the not so great side - I still have exhausted days, still have quite a bit of bone pain, get random dizzy spells, and the damnable anxiety attacks (never had those before and I hope they go away because they're awful). The calcium is doing in my digestive system, so some days I skip it. Still anorectic (involuntarily - I still don't get hungry, and my stomach's a mess), I'm breaking out with mild acne (yuck), and my cognitive abilities are still residing in another universe.

I don't work there or anything, but try Chagrin Valley for soap and shampoo - they're online, reasonably priced, and don't have anything irritating in them. My hair does seem to be getting a bit thicker and it's not clogging up the tub anymore when I wash it - partly adenoma removal and partly switching soap and shampoo, I think.

I hope we *all* feel better soon!

parathyroidpatient · Newbie Joined: 03 Apr 2008 Posts: 6

Sounds like you do have a plethura of medical issues, UGH! Glad to know that you are improving somewhat, that's a good sign.

For me, last week was a great week for me, it was my 3rd week post-op. I was able to kick into high gear and really got a lot done. The last couple of days here though have not been so good. More achey, tired and brain fog. I'm hoping that I will have less and less of these kind of days, it's so irritiating!

I have heard others have their ups and downs with this and it takes a while so I am being patient. I am very grateful for the wonderful week I had last week and am pressing on!

Thanks for the shampoo idea, right now I use Nioxin which has really good results for my husband who was losing his hair to age. His hair is really thickening and much fuller. Have you seen a difference using the shampoo you suggested? If the Nioxin doesn't work, it might be work giving it a try.

Thanks and take care

Leida · Newbie Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Posts: 14

Yes, I'm seeing a difference with the shampoo and soap - hair not falling out, and my eczema and raw scalp have pretty much cleared up.

I'm getting back some cognitive abilities, too - I can read novels now in a couple of days. Not much, you might think, but after the way I was it's a huge improvement. Remembering things easier, too. And my horrible back pain is now down to annoying back pain. And no week-long migraines anymore (knock wood!). Also no longer need my walking stick inside, and I've ventured out without it on my better days.

Had several very very long flights yesterday to get home, and I'm both wired and tired, but I'm not in hospital. So I'm just going to crash til Monday when I have an appointment with my regular doctor and get my levels drawn. Took a few things out of the suitcases, but the rest of it will keep - I can't believe I'm still standing - so to speak - after over 16 hours of travel. So today is an expected crash, I guess.

I'm glad that you're doing better, too!

parathyroidpatient · Newbie Joined: 03 Apr 2008 Posts: 6

Hey, I know what you mean about reading....it's a passion of mine and I haven't been able to concentrate well enough to read for at least a year. I guess I need to give it another whirl to see if I am better able to concentrate now.

You said you had several long flights....and I remember reading you had your surgery in the States, so I'm assuming you are from out of the country....where are you from? I think it is great that you were able to get this taken care of here.

I can't remember where you had your surgery done, though...Anyways, I'm glad you're doing better, that is HUGE! I'm so happy for you.

Take the much needed crash time and let me know how your levels are doing when you get the results. I need to go in and have mine done, but have been putting it off...I hate the whole fasting for 12 hrs. b4, miss my coffee first thing in the a.m. LOL!

Take Care

Kodger99 · Newbie Joined: 01 May 2008 Posts: 13

Yeah, the tetimonials on Dr. Norman's site are the lucky ones. Post surgery for me was better the first 6 months after surgery! The last 2 weeks I've had so much neuromuscular weekness that I've been wondering what is going on???? Went for blood tests again!

Dizziness after Parathyroidectomy

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