I had a single parathyroidectomy on 11/18/09. Things seemed to go well, with the exception of my extreme anxiety and my overactive imagination. I almost walked from the surgery because the surgical team was 3 hours late and I was in panic mode, but they finally got the anesthesiologist's attention and was able to get some anti anxiety meds in my IV just before I pulled the IV out. I hate anestheisia, and I don't do well on it for days afterwards because I do suffer from some serious anxiety and mental problems. I woke up thinking that I was in very bad shape (I woke up a little after surgery and misheard someone saying that I was dying), but I was fine. I jumped through all the "is she OK" hoops with flying colors, and they allowed me to go home. I went home, took pain meds, and fell asleep. Since I barely knew who I was, much less where I was, I was awoken with my biceps screaming in pain. I took more pain meds, but the pain got worse. My surgeon, Dr. Babak Larian, left me his cell phone number to contact him for anything, so I called him, drugged out of my skull with flaming biceps, not knowing what to do. He told me to take another calcitrol and 2000mg of calcium, and within an hour I was feeling better. I called him back (I think I sure he wanted to hear back from me) and updated him with my condition. He texted me with new instructions, and I answered him with "thanksgn" because I couldn't stop typing and I couldn't find the back button, but the send button was there and kept me from typing more letters. XD
My point is that while things may not have gone as well for me and my imagination on surgery day, medically things went very well, even with that one problem with hypocalcemia. I take one calcitrol a day and 2000mg calcium 3 x a day. I am starting to feel better and I'm getting out again, but when I get tired, I give in and relax. It's been 11 days, and I'm starting to feel better every day. I've been eating well to keep my healing going well, and I will worry about my weight gain when I can finally exercise. I gave up smoking 11/1/09 for my surgery, so if I gain a few pounds, I'm not worrying about it yet. Healing takes time, and I had lost my appetite as a symptom before my surgery. I'm just glad it's back again after the surgery. I just know that I'm going to feel better as time goes on. Hyperparathyroidism takes years to do its damage, so I don't expect to feel 100% right away. Plus, Dr. Larian and I discussed that some problems may not be solved by surgery because they were part of some other problem all along.
Does anyone know what happens if you take too much calcium? My memory has taken quite a beating from the hyperparathyroid and my bipolar disorder, so I know I've taken too much at some point during the past 11 days. Anyone else having problems with constipation? I have IBS diarrhea predominant so this constipation is kind of a nice change. I just want to know if this will be a permanent change. More like hoping.
I may have made fun of myself in the beginning of this post (in fact, I laughed VERY hard at my hardships when I re-read what I wrote) because they are behind me and pretty humorous. I love to find the humor in things, so I hope you find them funny, too. However, the entire post is factual and not meant to poke fun at anyone but myself. I hope to be able to help others who have been through this or are about to go through this.
My point is that while things may not have gone as well for me and my imagination on surgery day, medically things went very well, even with that one problem with hypocalcemia. I take one calcitrol a day and 2000mg calcium 3 x a day. I am starting to feel better and I'm getting out again, but when I get tired, I give in and relax. It's been 11 days, and I'm starting to feel better every day. I've been eating well to keep my healing going well, and I will worry about my weight gain when I can finally exercise. I gave up smoking 11/1/09 for my surgery, so if I gain a few pounds, I'm not worrying about it yet. Healing takes time, and I had lost my appetite as a symptom before my surgery. I'm just glad it's back again after the surgery. I just know that I'm going to feel better as time goes on. Hyperparathyroidism takes years to do its damage, so I don't expect to feel 100% right away. Plus, Dr. Larian and I discussed that some problems may not be solved by surgery because they were part of some other problem all along.
Does anyone know what happens if you take too much calcium? My memory has taken quite a beating from the hyperparathyroid and my bipolar disorder, so I know I've taken too much at some point during the past 11 days. Anyone else having problems with constipation? I have IBS diarrhea predominant so this constipation is kind of a nice change. I just want to know if this will be a permanent change. More like hoping.
I may have made fun of myself in the beginning of this post (in fact, I laughed VERY hard at my hardships when I re-read what I wrote) because they are behind me and pretty humorous. I love to find the humor in things, so I hope you find them funny, too. However, the entire post is factual and not meant to poke fun at anyone but myself. I hope to be able to help others who have been through this or are about to go through this.
Hi Layladusty - I'm sorry that you had problems before and after surgery but I believe that you had the very best surgeon. Dr Larian did my surgery in January. They were also late for my surgery as the one before mine ran long. Mine also ran really long. I was surprised at how long it took but was really comforted by the nurse's comment that his surgeries were "always meticulous". I decided it was worth waiting my turn.
You were right to call him when you had a problem and I'm sure he didn't mind. He really cares about his patients. You shouldn't hesitate to call him or Shaye with any questions that come up. I still stay in touch with them.
I experienced severe constipation a couple of days after surgery but it resolved within a couple of days. I think it is a result of the meds they use. If you need suggestions, contact Shaye. I'm glad you are doing well now and yes, some things do take a while and Dr Larian is very honest in saying that the surgery won't fix all your problems (but it does help a lot of things). Keep getting better. -mass-
You were right to call him when you had a problem and I'm sure he didn't mind. He really cares about his patients. You shouldn't hesitate to call him or Shaye with any questions that come up. I still stay in touch with them.
I experienced severe constipation a couple of days after surgery but it resolved within a couple of days. I think it is a result of the meds they use. If you need suggestions, contact Shaye. I'm glad you are doing well now and yes, some things do take a while and Dr Larian is very honest in saying that the surgery won't fix all your problems (but it does help a lot of things). Keep getting better. -mass-
Hi again, I'm sorry but I was in a hurry when I responded to your post this morning and didn't address your question about too much calcium. I don't know what would happen if you take too much. I think it would depend on how well you body is able to control it. I suggest you call or email Shaye with the question and she will get an answer for you. Or, if you would rather talk with Dr Larian, I'm sure he would call you to talk about it. Do you have an endocrinologist or other doctor that you will be following up with? If so, you could contact that doctor. Just, don't hesitate to get answers to your questions. Keep getting better - mass-
Wow. I didn't think the surgery itself was any big deal. Quick. Little pain post-surgery. Fast healing...maybe you did not have MIP (minimally invasive procedure)?