post T. thyroid removal

also, do not rely on thyroid levels to tell you anything. You can still have functioning levels and have cancer, Hashimoto's or a non-cancerous tumor that is causing you other problems. I got mine removed 3 weeks ago, and I am so glad I did. Instead of having 1 tumor, I had 3!!

I had a partial thyroidectomy in May, 2006. Before being diagnosed with Hasimoto's disease, my thyroid blood levels were normal. The reason I had an ultrasound was the fact that I was feeling compression in the neck region. I had my surgery done at Massachusetts General Hospital by a doctor who does these procedures every day. He does the whole procedure, opening, removal of the thyroid and closing. The only thing he lets his assistants do is the retraction. Then he stays with the patient until they wake up and he hears them talk. Knowing that he was the best of the best I was very confident going into the surgery. Little did I know what was in store for me. The surgery was not bad, and I was released from the hospital the next day. I expected pain for a few weeks, and when I went for my two week post op, my neck was extremely swollen and painful. The doctor assured me that this was normal but he wanted to see me a month later. When that time came, I was still swollen and still in a lot of pain. He went through my nose with a camera to see if there were any problems but could not see anything of concern. He ordered an ultrasound, but that only showed a slight increase in the nodule that was on my right thyroid. He then ordered an ultrasound guided biopsy to see if there was another issue causing the pain. What they found was that Hashimoto's had taken up residence in the remaining thyroid. (arthritis of the thyroid) Between my surgeon and my thyroid specialist the decison was made to remove the other side. I had that surgery on Dec. 29, 2006. My neck is still slightly swollen and the scar is sensitive, but the pain is nothing like the first surgery, yet I don't want anything touching my neck. Even when my hair touches the incision it is painful. I am having difficulty losing weight, and I am always hot and tired. I take synthroid/levoxal 125. When I came home from the hospital the surgeon gave me 150 but when I went for my one month post op, to my specialist he said that I was now hyper and dropped the dosage. I was just beginning to get some energy back. I have to see him in July and I would not be surprised if he increases my dosage. I just want to get back to myself and lose some weight. I exercise four days a week at Curves and walk daily. I try to maintain a healthy diet, but the weight just stays the same. I also have issues with remembering things. Sometimes when I am driving somewhere, I forget where I am going, even if I am going to work. If anybody has these problems I like to hear from them

It has been awhile since your surgery and I am now facing the same. How did it go? How long before you felt normal again? Any after effects? Suggestions? Thanks.

I am facing the same surgery and am wondering how it went for you?
How long before you felt normal again...pain went away...after effects?
Thanks.

I had my thyroid removed in June of 2006. I have not felt normal since. I am tired, depressed, hot, cold, irratible and sometimes my head is just fuzzy. I am taking 137 Levoyl and my TSH is in the normal range. I am sure that there has to be an answer somewhere.

I am 38 years old and had surgery on 1/16/08. The left side of my thyroid was enlarged past 6cm amd the rght was at least double normal size. A week after surgery I still had fluid build -up and the doctor removed 100ccs of fluid. I still have a small lump on the front of my throat and the surgon wants more tests. I am still off work and on some days I feel absolutly terrible(dizzy, heart racing, achey, no appitite, ect). There are some nights where I just cry myself to sleep which is very unusual for me. My doctor now thinks I have become anemic. I am on syntyroid (100mcg) and the doctor wants to wait until the end of Feburary to test to see if this is the correct dose. I was told that after 2 weeks I could resume normal activities but I don't even trust myself to drive some days. I would appreciate any advice on how to deal with these symptoms.

I had my whole thyroid out in june 2006 and after the surgery everything was going good. Then months started going by and my doctor couldn't get me on the right dose of synthroid i have been on .88 , .100, .112,.125 and back in forth up and down my body won't level out. I am so misserable i have depression, panic attacks heart pain, heart pounding, neck tightenin, pressure on my cheast i feel like i am being smuthered. I feel like someone elsr has taken over my body. I would do anything just to be me again. The sad thing is i am only 24 and now i have to deal with this for the rest of my life.I wish i could find a sapport group because some days i feel like i am goimg to die. Good Luclk to anybody having the same problems.

I had my entire thyroid taken out in April 2008 and am feeling great. Before the surgery I was always tired, gaining weight, heart problems, trouble remembering things and problems conceiving. I am in the military and work out 6 days a week and 5 days of intense work and still could not lose wait even with a strict balanced diet. After the surgery my weight is going down, but my neck is sore. I think I started working back out again to soon after surgery. I had an excellent surgeon in Mississippi in conjunction with and excellent Endo that are monitoring my thyroid levels and have put my on the correct thyroid replacement and I am taking calcium supplements. I believe you can lose the weight after the surgery. I am in the military (Army) and my workout intensity is a little bit more strenous than the average person. It can be done it just takes a lot, a lot, a lot of hard work. I am so glad I finally got it removed it was 4 times the size of a normal thyroid and I had nodules all over so were cancerous.

I had my left thyroid removed May 18 2008, I also was lightheaded and very tired all the time, Dr checked white blood cell count, and it was way to high. I started taking iron pills, and it has helped alot. More energy, and no more lightheaded. I was reading all of the stories posted, regarding post surgery. I still do not have my voice back and I talk almost with a whisper. Has anyone else experienced problems with their vocal cords? I am very worried my vocal cords are damaged. I would appreciate any comments thanks.

It is my 7th day after my total thyroidectomy. I was diagnosed hypothyroidic back in early 2007 and everything had been relatively uneventful till May 2008. My family doctor noticed an enlargement in the right side and sent me for another ultrasound. Long story short, I had to have the whole thing taken out cause it was full of nodules the size of bb's. Luckily it wasn't cancerous, but I was still diagnosed as having Hashimoto's disease.
As I sit typing, I still have 10 stitches across my throat and a drain tube safety pinned to my t-shirt. The first day, I was in some pain. It felt like I had the worst tonsilitis ever and whiplash all at the same time. I felt pretty crummy those first three days, like I wanted to just stay asleep so I didn't have to move or swallow. On my fourth day, I started being able to talk pretty normal and do basic stuff for myself. It hurts to bend over because it feels like all the blood is building up at your inscision. I have tried singing and found my voice just shuts off, almost like it did when I was recovering from bronchitis. My doctor didn't put any restrictions on me as far as eating or driving or lifting, but I don't really feel like doing much of that anyway. I had jello legs for the first four days or so and still have a stiff neck from my restricted movement. My throat is still swollen a good bit and I have a numb streak down the center in a spot that is appx 2.5" wide by 4" long.

I don't know if my ordeal has or will help anyone, but I hope that anyone having thyroid disease can pass along the word to get checked!! It can mess with your life in ways you never imagined and it can be passed down!! I am the 4th one in my family. Light Blue Ribbon Awareness :-)

Hi everyone, a few years ago a goiter on the left side was discovered growing downward and behind my breast bone and my thyroid gland was becoming overactive so therefore I had surgery to remove both. I was 50 yrs old at the time of op. I take Oroxine daily for the rest of my life.
My main concern is I always feel tired and have aches and pains everywhere. I get confused because I wonder if it is my age or is it because I get depressed or a combination of issues.
I am currently looking to find a doctor who specializes in thyroid problems as I feel I am not receiving the best possible assistance at the moment.
Bye for now Pen.

My daughter who is only 10 years old is going for thyroid surgery next week and I am a wreck about it, does anyone know any children that have had this operation and how they did?

She needs to have surgery,done had one now have to have other side out,crazy just want thyroid gone.hope I will feel better.you need an Endocronoligist,thats what I have.

hi i had my entire thyroid gland removed in 2008 and at a pretty young age. life is never the same . i experience extreme mood swings and either i am angry or depressed most of the time. No matter how much a doctor suggests there are no side effects, there are several. But what the heck...i suppose people with problems are stronger than people without problems because ones with difficult situations in life are the ones fighting everyday to lead a better life and feel good. We must remember, mind is always stronger than your body. So keep your mind happy and positive, that way no physical problem can win over your mind and spirit. You can overcome every problem if you believe you can. Trst me, these days people with their thyroids intact and perfect are also extremely moody and incensed, so you and me are no exceptions.

Hello. I had thyroid surgery 3 months ago, the left side was removed. Until now, I feel no energy and I'm constantly tired. Sometimes, there is a pain in the throat like something is stuck in it...weird feeling. Wonder why, and what is it?