thyroidectomy surgery side effects

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does anyone have any insight as to how you feel right after the surgery--total thyroidectomy? all the hospital told me is that I wont be able to move my neck. Anything more detailed?

Phiern · Newbie Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 1

Hi. I am looking at a thyroidectomoy within the next two weeks, I dont' know the date yet. What is the average recovery rate? How long will I be out of work?

I didn't get a biopsy. My chest x-ray shows my thyroid is displacing my trachea. The CT scan showed a growth that is 4cm by 4 cm with cysts. Does the size automatically mean cancer? If so, does the size indicate which type of cancer? I know that I will learn more after the nodule is removed and studied, but I'm trying to not to worry here and it's difficult.

Thanks.

iamrozanne · Newbie Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 1

Hello, I am a 40 yr old female that had the right side of my thyroid removed on 4/8/08 and I am having a complete thyroidectomy on 5/12/08. After the final biopsy came back they found to small papillary carcinoma 3 mm an 2 mm. The surgeon said to just watch it and the endocronologist said if it was he she would have it removed. I am afraid of how I will function wth out the synthroid and how long until they say I can take it again. I am a planner and it is hard to let other people have control and to be stuck guessing.

I would love to here coping strategies if anyone wants to share

Guest · Guest

Total thyroidectomy done 6/24/08. Two papillary carcinomas found. No meds post thyroidectomy due to radioiodine treatment plans -to prevent 50% recurrance risk in the neck (lymph nodes).

Post thyroidectomy syptoms include. Muscle pain, cramps, stiffness. Insomnioa, constipation,episodes of feeling crazy- disorganized thoughts, easily overheatted.

My calcium level was drawn- no word so I assume normal. I am taking calcium and vit D. I am hopeful that once I have had the radioiodine and can correct the hypothyroidism these symptoms will all go away. Any good new stories?

Guest · Guest

I am 16 and I had a total thyroidectomy at age 14. During surgery my parathyroid glands were removed and now along with Levothyroxine I have to take calcium supplements and another pill to help absorb calcium for the rest of my life or else the levels of calcium in my blood can drop and I could possibly go into cardiac arrest and die. If your thyroid condition is not threatening your health then I don't recommend that you have it removed.

jodaycare · Newbie Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 9

I had a total thyroidectomy 2 weeks ago and I was completely pain free after surgery, in fact I had no pain meds for 24 hours afterwards and only took them to relieve stiffness and guarding(holding my neck stiff). The incision is completely closed and most of the swelling has gone down. There is still some minor stiffness but I found that gentle stretching, massage and those microwaveable heat pads worked wonders. You will have a forward pulling sensation for up to a week after the surgery , pain meds will relieve this, I just used extra strength tylenol starting 3 days after surgery, I only took about 4 of the prescribed Tylenol 3 with codeine. Good luck.

Guest · Guest

I'm 37 and am having a total thyroidectomy on Monday 7/28. I've heard horror stories and hopeful stories and am as scared and confused as ever. I have an extremely enlarged thyroid with too many nodules to count. Also, I had radiation treatment as a child for lymphoma. So my chances for cancer are skyrocketed. What I'm most interested in is the effects on my health after the surgery. I know I HAVE to have the surgery, but I was hoping to feel better, not worse. My current dose of synthoid is 200 so I'm high already.

Any words of wisdom?

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I'm 33 and had a total done in May of this year. I was out of hospital within 2 days and pain free almost straight after the op - (though the staff tried to test this by trying to convince me that a cheese and onion sandwich was just what I needed after having my throat slit!) I had graves disease with a multi nodular, extremely enlarged (inward growing) thyroid gland which was slowly restricting my airways and gullet meaning that swallowing was becoming a problem and sleeping flat on my back was getting riskier. Having the thyroidectomy has sent me from one extreme to the other - Hyper to Hypo! I returned to work 2 weeks after the op and have coped well until recently. I have become increasing tired and forgetful and mildly depressed so am now undergoing tests to monitor levels as working full time and being mum to a very active baby has tested my body. The treatment is to up my dosage of levothyroxin and apparently all will be cool again. My condition is hereditary so was expected and that helped me make decisions. My father had a partial done in the 80's and 20 years later is now back to square one, so deciding to have a total was no dilemma.

Guest · Guest

Just had a partial Thyroidectomy 2 weeks ago, I was supposed to have a total but they said the other side was fine so they didnt want to remove it at this stage. My lump was benign and was 3cm by 3cm and i was only in hospital for one night (that is probably the worst bit staying in an NHS hospital) i found the recovery at home was better. I did experience slight tingling in my mouth from lack of calcium but they didnt bother doing anything about this so i assume im fine. The only pain is stiffness in the neck and my neck became infected which made it more uncomfortable but this is rare. Besides all that it is a routine op, lots of people go through it each year. My neck is healing now a red scar in the middle of my neck is all i have and i was told this would heal in a year. Will probably have to go and have the otherside removed in the future but i will wait and see

thyroidectomy surgery side effects

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