I had three parathyroid nodules removed mid-November. The fourth was never found so part of the third (which was found in my thyroid and therefore part of my thyroid was removed) was put back into my neck muscle.
The clinic was so eager to have me reduce my followup calcium that I became hypocalcemic and was hospitalized for 10 days. My general doctor and I have finally found a balance in how much calcium, Vitamin D and magnesium to take. Apparently, my "recovering" parathyroid is still "asleep" and I'm afraid my thyroid is too (I've gained 12 pounds!).
Some of my fingers still feel numb at times. If I lay on a limb, it "falls alseep" immediately and hurts. Some fingers, toes cramp up, I have a racing heart and/or shaky internal feeling throughout the body at times.
Will these issues go away? I wish I had never had the surgery. I'm afraid I won't be able to do sports anymore.
Any input appreciated and also references for endocrinologists in the Washington, DC area.
Thank you.
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Are you that you are taking enough calcium? Your symptoms sound to me like low calcium symptoms. If you don't have a working parathyroid, you need to take a lot of calcium. Your doctor should be able to test your thyroid function and adjust it with medication.
I have had two parathyroid surgeries and now, like you, have only a piece of parathyroid imbedded in the neck muscle. At the last test, the piece was not functioning and there was no measurable PTH. There's always a chance that it will eventually wake up but it has been ten months since my last surgery and I'm not optimistic that it will begin to function. I take 3000 mg of calcium/day and .25mgm of calcitriol twice a day. I have had none of the symptoms that you are experiencing. I don't understand why they were in a hurry to reduce your calcium. I was told to take it indefinitely or until the blood tests show that I don't need it.
Did you take Vitamin D before your surgery? I took prescription doses of Vit D before my first surgery and for the first week or so I was miserable with cramps and muscle pain.
I agree that you need to find a good endocrinologist. I wish you the best. mass
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