Sore throat & Swallowing trouble after Parathyroid Surgery

kimkimcherie · Newbie Joined: 08 Sep 2006 Posts: 5

Laluna, Seadog, everyone!

Thanks for the detailed response and information. Laluna, I'm glad your singing voice was intact. I'm hoping for the same, though I don't sing professionally.

I was also referred to a general surgeon. My reading on the internet told me it should be more of a specialist. But, this surgeon does a fair amount of parathyroidectomies. My endo refers only to him. So, I'm just going to have to go with it.

My calcium has been quite high for some time and I've got numerous symptoms...so I'm anxious to feel normal again. I had a hysterectomy two years ago...and understand the fatigue that comes with surgery. But, heck...I've been feeling weakness, bone and muscle pain, lethargy, concentration problems, ulcers. Feels like I'm already in those shoes...so I probably won't feel much worse than I currently do.

Thanks again for the posts. I will keep you posted. I will be having surgery within the next week to 10 days I think.

Hugs - Kim Cool

klaube1234 · Newbie Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 8

klaube1234 · Newbie Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 8

kimkimcherie · Newbie Joined: 08 Sep 2006 Posts: 5

Well...surely didn't see this coming. They got in there Thursday and couldn't find the parathyroid that was "hot" on the scan. I had elevated PTH, high calcium (repeated testing of these) and a scan. They kept me on the operating table and scanned again, making a two hour surgery into more than six hours. He said just a bit of the regular thyroid showed on scan, but nothing looked malignant. I'm stumped (and dissapointed). Plus, I was outrageously sick from the anesthesia, vomiting, migraine till midnight that night. At least my voice is fine. Swollen and sore and looks like we'll be back to square one.

PS...my calcium level was normal yesterday. Could he have inadvertently taken out the parathyroid and not known it? SCARY!

kimkimcherie · Newbie Joined: 08 Sep 2006 Posts: 5

Oh, Klaube...thanks for posting that. I had actually gotten a lot of information from parathyroid.com and am already feeling regretful that I didn't try that route first. They were so forceful in their opinions and I did read some back-and-forth opinions published about the radio-guided surgery and whether it really is that helpful. It's a great expense to go to if the benefit isn't that high. But, perhaps they are adamant for a darn good reason!!!

I was assured this doc did parathyroid ops weekly, which is conisidered experienced as you know. He said he NEVER had this problem before (not being able to FIND the affected gland). Bad scans, bad info? I don't know. I am definitely going to look into the Florida clinic at this point. It would be worth the consult fee to at least find out if we're on the right track.

I'd love to hear more about your experience with them.

Thanks for posting! Kim

klaube1234 · Newbie Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 8

Oh, Kim!
I am sooooo sorry!! I had read about things like that, and actually went and met with a surgeon here in Phoenix who I was told had experience, blah, blah, blah. When I asked him how often he had performed parathyroidectomy's he said in a very haughty tone "I am an experienced surgeon." I thought, yea, but that doesn't answer my question now does it? Needless to say, I got the ball rolling with Dr. Norman the next day. I was comfortable with my decision immediately. Kim, there is no such thing as a scan showing the affected parathyroid, and then it mysteriously dissapearing. I can't imagine that your calcium would go down to normal unless the affected gland is removed, but I am not a doctor. Honey, if you need to go through this again, please contact Dr. Norman and Dr. Politz. What is/was your calcium level and PTH level? That should be measured along with the calcium, did he tell you that?
K

kimkimcherie · Newbie Joined: 08 Sep 2006 Posts: 5

My PTH level (first time) was 79 and the calcium had been testing about 11.7 over the last several months. I had symptoms of high calcium. From what I understand, that PTH level is not that high, but it should be LOW in relation to the calcium.

And, why would the parathyroid show up on one scan and not another?

The other causes for high calcium didn't sound very encouraging...so I was really hoping this was it!

Thx Kim

going crazy · Newbie Joined: 04 Jan 2007 Posts: 1

I am so glad to find this site. I had a complete thyroidectomy 4 weeks ago and am having some problems. At first I felt great! Guess that was the drugs talking... for some time I have had this wierd crying jag that comes over me between 3 and 5 in the evening... I have sinus problems also and have had lots of mucus and trouble swallowing... I get so frustrated trying to get rid of the mucus getting worn out and then I start to cry and that makes things worse and it just spirls out of control from there. I have a very hard time eating and drinking, so I am not well hydrated, not good. any ideas on that? nothing tastes good to me. scrambles eggs are my best food. I have lost lots of weight and muscle and am weak. I need to get stronger to get well. My Dr. says my symptoms are not normal and had me have blood work today and will go to see him earlier than planned. This has been a long road to get to this point and i know I am nearly at the end of the tunnel, but man it's frustrating when you've been sick for so long and they had such a hard time figuring out what was wrong. On top of everything else. I had Hashimotos, which I knew, but they found a cancer. Very little, so I was VERY LUCKY to have the surgery when I did...it was elective and my husband and I decided to go for it. Any comments or suggestions that could help with mucus etc.[/list]

beanhead · Newbie Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 1

I had a total thyroidectomy on Feb 8th, and I am just starting to feel normal, too. I had all the weird emotional stuff until late last week (4 wks after surgery) and suddenly, it's just gone. I started sleeping better and have more energy. The only thing that is bothering me, is the strange swallowing issues. I have been massaging the scar like the surgeon told me, but I feel like I have this big bump in my throat and it is really difficult to swallow around. Sometimes it feels like food/pills get stuck on it! The doctor told me it's nothing, and it will pass, but I swear I have gunk in my throat I can't get up, and that this thing will choke me if I take too big a bite of food. Does it go away, ever??

Guest · Guest

Hi All!!! If you are still checking back here... I had a SECOND op on Feb 26th by a specialist at UC Davis. Finally got the parathyroid, adenoma and had to take 1/2 the thyroid with it. Was right on the vocal chord nerves. There are some funky spots in my voice at 2 weeks...singing. Trying to take it easy and just do light scales...but worried about scarring or adhesions. Rubbing the area lightly...lumpy. Still having calcium level symptoms too... I read somewhere here about a condition where the bones are starved for calcium and this can go on for a month or so??? anyone??

Hugs - Kim

Sore throat & Swallowing trouble after Parathyroid Surgery

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