Parathyroid Surgery

Well, I did e-mail Dr. Norman and got a response....no hyperparathyroid!  Yahoo!  But I've sure learned a lot about the condition!  My ionized calciums were all normal.  The people on this thread have been a great help...Thanks!  Hope everyone gets well and stays well!  Jo

So happy for you!  I think it teaches us all to be pro-active and aware of reviewing and maintaining copies of our labs and test results.  Take care.

I had my parathyroid surgery done in Feb 2011 by Dr Brett Moses at St Mary's in Langhorne, PA.

I had been"feeling off" for several years with multiple trips to ER for various aches and pains. Since Dec 2008, I've had gallstones (cholcystectomy Jan 2009); kidney stones (lithotripsy Aug 2010); hypertension, malaise, fatigue, insomnia, feeling achy all the time, poor concentration/memory, GERD - just to name a few things.

It was only during a routine physical in Oct 2010 (following another ER visit) that my internist noticed the higher calcium levels and ordered labs for PTH.  It came back high and I was immediately referred to an endocringologist (Dr Jason Hollander - Princeton).  Dr Hollander did an utlrasound of my neck and was 99% certain the mass on the upper left side was an adenoma. I also has some nodules on my thyroid which he biopsied. Ow.  He referred me to Dr Moses who I saw the week prior to Christmas 2010 and based on my lab work and results of the tests he ordered (Sestamibi, DEXA), I was scheduled for surgery on Valentine's Day.  Sestimibi scan confirmed adendoma in the upper left side of my neck. The DEXA bone density scan showed I had developed osteopenia, borderline osteoporosis.

The surgery itself was quick, but the waiting for the lab results took a bit (blood draw 15 mins post removal of adenoma, 30 mins for results). Still I was out of surgery in just over an hour. The adenoma was where both the ultrasound and Sestamibi scan indicated. I spent the night in the hospital so my calcium levels could be monitored - I had blood drawn several times that night. Around midnight I got a tingling in my hands and feet - like I was having electrostim on extra high. I was given calcium tablets to chew and the tingles subsided, but according to the lab work, my calcium levels didn't drop to dangerous levels. I was fine post-surgery, a little sore throat due to being intubated, but my appetite was normal and I didn't have a loss of voice. I went home the following morning and slept - cause lord knows you don't get sleep in the hospital with nurses checking on you every few hours. 

By the time my one week post-op appt rolled around, I was feeling better. Prior to surgery I would sleep up to 12 hours and was never rested. By then, 6 hours was sufficient rest for me.  My scar is about 1.5" and is in a natural crease of my neck.  A week post surgery it was red and swollen, but now, it's fading. Dr Moses said by this time next year it should be almost invisible provided I don't get it sunburnt.

Nearly 4 months later, I'm feeling fabulous. My energy levels have returned, I'm physically active again, I'm no longer fatigued. I am still taking medication for high blood pressure, but hoping that will be something I can eventually be weaned off of. My insomnia is gone - no longer do I have to rely on Ambien. I have a follow up with my endocrinologist next week. 

At one point prior to surgery I was taking about 8 pills a day - now I'm down to my blood pressure meds, allergy meds, and my calcium supplements. I take 1200mg (two Caltrate D chewables) twice a day. It's a relief.

For the first time in several years I feel my age (43). I'm healthy, active, and happy again. 

I had PT surgery about 10 days ago.  I still have pain and discomfort and what looks like a giant Adam's Apple.  I am miserable!  My bodily aches and pains, except for my abdomen are completely gone though, which is a blessing but I am so unhappy.  I have no energy and I am really depressed and scared.  To the person who was unhappy with Dr. Norman...I am so surprised by that.  Everything I know comes from his web site and he seemed so wonderful.  If I could have afforded the consultation  I would have gone there for the surgery.  It seems like you just can't trust anyone anymore.  My Dr. had the best bedside manner and was just absolutely lovely but now 10 days post op and after a 2 and 1/2 hour surgery he has never called me to see how I am.  Shouldn't he have called me?  Maybe I expect too much!  Cyd

I am 27 and had surgery two days ago for parathyroid issues. This is my first surgery (aside from a c-section) and i am wondering if the things i am experiencing are normal.  i am feeling a lot of bone pain, mostly in my wrists, ribs, and neck.  Another thing that i am experiencing is being completely depressed.  i am a very active person, and i can not decide if i am feeling down because of pain, the dramatic change in the hormone level in my body, or my inability to function at my normal rate (just for the time being) has anyone else had these issues?

I wish I had a good reply for you but my situation seems different. I also have Hashimotos whidh is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid which can cause depression. Sometimes its hard to tell what is causing what. Have you found out yet what your PTH levels and Calcium levels are now? This is important. MY bone pain was gone the next morning after the surgery. It was a miracle. My doctor did finally call me and assured me that the surgery was indeed successful. MY stomach was bothering me but I realized shortly after that I had the flu as well which was causing the abdominal discomfort. This is now gone as well. It is 2 weeks post op and I am really feeling better.. Oh, by the way, my bone pain was in my butt, lower back, and upper thighs...completely different areas than you. It is very rare that someone your age would have these problems. ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** web addresses not allowed***

I get extremely sick about three weeks ago and this is how we found out about my issues. I have had high calcium for over year (11.2) and my primary never told me about it,. My real concern is the depression i am feeling right now. My chest hurts where the surgery was done (which is normal i am sure) but i feel like i could cry constantly and have no idea why.

Hi again, my chest was hurting as well after the surgery, but I am feeling better now. Did the doctor tell you that the surgery was successful and did they check, (probe) all the glands to make sure you only had one adenoma/ This is usually the case but not always and they must check all of the parathyroid glands. Parathyroid disease can cause depression but so can other things including Thyroid disease which I have as well. If your dr. never mentioned anthing to you when your calcium was so high then you really need to find a new doctor. I went to 5 doctors in all. I diagnosed myself and it was only the 5th doctor who agreed with me. I couldn't afford to go down to fla. to the Parathyroid center that I told you about. I went to a Dr. in upstate NY who does only Parathyroid surgery as well and he was the one who eventually operated. Where are you located? although the surgery was upwards of 2 and more hours under general anesthesia and I was very upset by this, they did I think all in all a good job. Cyd

I had parathyroid surgery 3 wks ago and I am having the thing you mentioned. I cannot seem to find out anything about this. Please let me know if this went away etc...l

teresatipp wrote:

Guest wrote:

Monday will be three weeks since my parathyroid surgery. It feels like there is a lump in my throat and I have this large (golf ball size) lump in the front of my neck. It's in the area where there is normally a hollow area, the same place they do a tracheotomy, and really shows up when I tilt my head up. I mentioned this to my doctor in an email and he said it will go away. I also told him I'm having trouble swallowing and he said that the surgery had nothing to do with swallowing because they didn't do anything to my throat.

I don't think this is normal. The lump is firm, not soft like it's just swelling or something like that. Also, I can't tilt my head back as far as I used to. There's this pulling feeling like the muscles are too tight and to put my head back further I have to open my mouth. I don't know what this lump could be. All kinds of things are going through my head like, the muscles are caught up in the stitches, there's too much scar tissue forming, there's adhesions on my muscles, etc. and it's making me nuts. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? I've tried to search online for what this could be but haven't found anything. Anxiously awaiting any replies and/or help.

Two adenomas were removed. I wanted the minimally invasive surgery done but because nothing showed up in the ultrasound, mri scan or sestamibi scan the doctor said he would have to do exploratory surgery. My incision is about 3 inches long across the lower front of my neck. My Calcium level was up to 11.8 and PTH was 136.

I had parathyroid surgery 3 wks ago and I am having the thing you mentioned. I cannot seem to find out anything about this. Please let me know if this went away etc...l

As a 9 year parathyroid surgery patient, I am still trying to get it right.
I had all four parathyroids removed due to familial hyperparathyroid hyperplasia. My body was pretty must going downhill before the surgery. I had an autograft implanted, part of the parathyroid but it did not take. I do have function but not uptaking into the blood stream. I am totally hypoparathyroid now. I have learned to work with my body and learned the signs of danger. I try to find the best calceimic disorder endocrinologists to take care of my meds. I have only crashed two times in the 9 years but I am sure I have been way too low many times. It is not fun but it is better than letting the high calcium level problem destroy your body. Find the BEST surgeon you can find that does a lot of endocrine neck surgeries. Even the doctor in Florida had some patients with problems afterwards. It is complicated...don't let the website fool you. Do plenty of homework and learn from past patients. Good luck with your journey.

Who was your surgeon in Indpls?

I have read all that Norman has written. The Florida doc who does the according to him 13 minute surgery and you are only having a one inch scar. Big issue with him...after someone reads all on his site and gets to how to become a patient...you find out he charges big bucks to you that insurance does not cover to organize your paper work...The cost is huge based upon 'where' you live...not on how serious your condition is....I really figured he was the doc I wanted to do my surgery....well, that will never happen....his site says in no uncertain terms ..if you can't pay up front the amount he requires...don't bother to contact them.....Well, I am a single mother with two handicapped adult children....I have great insurance but I don't have the in round figurers...$3,000 ...to pay for him to organize my tests results...He says the surgery is ..round figures again...$12,000.....in my case insurance would pay but his demand for the $3,000 makes it impossible for me to have him as my surgeon....my question is...since he has been doing his surgery for many years...Why hasn't he taught docs in other locations to do it....Only thing I can figure is he is not the kind of doc I would trust....for me...just traveling to Florida and that expense would require some magical things to get that money...Well, I was so impressed with him when I read all he had to say....until I read his "don't bother to contact us" if you don't have the hard cold cash to pay to organize papers........oh well, now I start my search for a doctor in Houston I can trust...that is not easy....even in a city as large as Houston....there just are not docs who have proven they know what they are doing in surgery and then all of them...about "five" each do it differently....so now I have no idead what to do. ......go read that site above....perhaps you will learn something but you,if like me, will not learn how to come up with the $3,000 up front to organize your papers.....so in the end....you learn......there are those who do....(have money) and those who don't and those who get done to......this is a lesson I have learned...without money...you are the one getting ...done to.....

Check out  Norman clinic in Tampa Florida. Get her there. They are the best in the world and will fix her..

 ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** web addresses not allowed*** Please read our Terms of Use

Your father most likely had his surgery as I just saw this post and it's Jan 2014. I had 2 parathyroids removed each of course having tumors-benign. I am a nurse and diagnosed my condition myself after my doctor kept patting me on the back and saying you are getting older. I contacted Dr. James Norman who is a specialist in this field. I flew to Tampa from Pennsylvania and Dr. Norman's associate Dr. Politz did the surgery. I have a 1 1/4 inch scar plus it was a 15 minute surgery. I actually went out and ate dinner at a restaurant later that evening. People from all over the world come to him. I would highly recommend him. I wish your father well and I am considered cured now. I was told that I had these tumors for approximately 5 years.

January 27, 2014 I had a parathyroidectomy MIRP procedure done by Dr. James Norman in Tampa, Fl . I went to Dr. Norman because I researched surgeons for this procedure and concluded he was the best. I do live in Florida, though, that helped. That was 5 days ago. I am 69 and did not "bounce" around after the surgery. I slept off and on for these entire 5 days. I am cured of the adenoma that they removed; but, I guess it's too early for me to feel much better. I did have a HUGE golf ball size black and purple lump right over the incision. It is a tiny bit smaller and a little bit lighter in purple color now, but it is still there. It looks horrible and everyone tells me so!! I wear a scarf over it now if I go out in public. I have been in physical therapy for a cervical laminoplasty i had last July, so my flexibility, neck and arm strength are good. I notice those exercises help me with this tightness from this surgery. I am not having a lot of pain, but i'm taking 6 calcium pills a day, and 2 extra strength tylenol every 6 hours. I feel it is too early for me to say much more about the results. I know the procedure went well and I found Dr. Norman to be an exceptionally nice, friendly person. I also need to remember to be patient and let my body heal.