The symptoms you experience with tightness in your neck is from the surgery, I get it too. Massage helps and so does a heating pad. But, I was also short of breath and my swallowing was definitely off. Short of breath though still sometimes, this symptom is because my vocal cord became weak after surgery, it doesn't move as well as it should and I needed speech therapy, this strenghthened my vocal cord and it began to move again, I had marked improvement but not total voice recovery I'd say I'm about 90% of my former self. I can talk now without having to stop and gasp for air too. Have your ENT do larygoscopy - it's painless it's a small camera wire camera up your nose and down your throat to look at your vocal chords to determine how well they move or don't move - paralysis or paresis. ;-)
I am not alone. After my surgery 12/07, I have not been my normal self. I have had migraines, dizziness, palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, and so on. Of course I went to the DR's and they of course could not find anything wrong with me. They were not willing to tell me that all my symptoms as far as I am concerned are due to my Thyroidectomy. Anyone out there have any solutions, or have marked improvement of their symptoms?
My heart goes out to you so I don't know what to tell you but I'm glad to hear that you're feeling like your'e not alone because that's an important first step. How is everyone else doing?
I am so amazed that we are all suffering the same symptoms and the doctors are unable to validate us. My head and neck surgeon told me my shortness of breath had nothing to do with my thyroid cancer. He apologized after surgery but led me to believe it was due to pressure on the trachea. WRONG
I had a thyroidectomy in April with complications, since there was a tumor on my recurrent laryngeal nerve and one near my carotid artery pressing on the nerve there. The rl nerve had to be cut to remove the tumor leaving me with a paralyzed vocal cord. The tumor near the carrotid left me with Horner's syndrome (check that out-I never heard of it and I'm a speech path.) I also have damage to my spinal accessory nerve that was from surgery the other two were from the tumors. I have complained consistently of shortness of breath-well before my diagnosis and been given every reason under the sun except as to what I just found out. I was sent to a neurologist because I couldn't lift my arm higher than my waist. When there I told him my bigger concern was my shortness of breath. He told within minutes based on my symptoms it was due to damage of the vagus nerve cranial nerve 10. Vagus means wanderer in Latin, and boy does it wander which can effect many other organs. it branches into the rec. laryngeal nerve innervating the vocal cords and also innervates into the diaphragm ,the intestine. etc. It works to keep the airway open so you can breathe.
Google VAGUS nerve, you won't believe it. He told me there is also a possibility of having a hemidiaphragm if the nerve was cut up high it may be deadened down below. I am going for EMG testing on Tues. to find out. He told me that if a nerve is cut it will not reintervate, if it is injured it can, it grows 1 cm a month. Thank God for this neurologist. As soon as I walked in he said I sounded like his vagal nerve patients. He deals alot with MS, Parkinson's etc. and other autoimmune disorders. I love him as he finally validated me.
My advice --get to a neurologist and have an EMG to see if the vagus nerve or other nerves are damaged. Now I am having bowel urgency which I bet is due to the vagus nerve too. Something I read called gastroparesis. I thought I was more regular because I was on the synthroid and my metabolism was finally normal. I will know more Tues. My head and neck surgeon told me I read too much. The neurologist looked at my notes and the articles I had in my binder, and told me what great articles there were and told me my suspicions of nerve damage were correct. Although I wasn't happy with the news he made me see I wasn't crazy.
I had a thyroidectomy in April with complications, since there was a tumor on my recurrent laryngeal nerve and one near my carotid artery pressing on the nerve there. The rl nerve had to be cut to remove the tumor leaving me with a paralyzed vocal cord. The tumor near the carrotid left me with Horner's syndrome (check that out-I never heard of it and I'm a speech path.) I also have damage to my spinal accessory nerve that was from surgery the other two were from the tumors. I have complained consistently of shortness of breath-well before my diagnosis and been given every reason under the sun except as to what I just found out. I was sent to a neurologist because I couldn't lift my arm higher than my waist. When there I told him my bigger concern was my shortness of breath. He told within minutes based on my symptoms it was due to damage of the vagus nerve cranial nerve 10. Vagus means wanderer in Latin, and boy does it wander which can effect many other organs. it branches into the rec. laryngeal nerve innervating the vocal cords and also innervates into the diaphragm ,the intestine. etc. It works to keep the airway open so you can breathe.
Google VAGUS nerve, you won't believe it. He told me there is also a possibility of having a hemidiaphragm if the nerve was cut up high it may be deadened down below. I am going for EMG testing on Tues. to find out. He told me that if a nerve is cut it will not reintervate, if it is injured it can, it grows 1 cm a month. Thank God for this neurologist. As soon as I walked in he said I sounded like his vagal nerve patients. He deals alot with MS, Parkinson's etc. and other autoimmune disorders. I love him as he finally validated me.
My advice --get to a neurologist and have an EMG to see if the vagus nerve or other nerves are damaged. Now I am having bowel urgency which I bet is due to the vagus nerve too. Something I read called gastroparesis. I thought I was more regular because I was on the synthroid and my metabolism was finally normal. I will know more Tues. My head and neck surgeon told me I read too much. The neurologist looked at my notes and the articles I had in my binder, and told me what great articles there were and told me my suspicions of nerve damage were correct. Although I wasn't happy with the news he made me see I wasn't crazy.
I'm having similar problems . I have breathing attacks were I can get a deep breath in for about 10 to 15 minutes along with extreme panic during these attacks. I have difficulty swallowing and wheezing. The attacks started just days after my first RAI treatment (Nov 07) which was about 30 days after total thyroidecomy. I went to the emergency room and they gave me albuterol and sent me home telling my I had asthma. I didn't have another attack for a year. The second attack happened just after my second RAI treatment when I started to resume thyroid hormone. I normally take synthroid; but, the doctor wanted a faster acting hormone and prescribed something different. I don't remember. That's when my second attack happened. I switched back to synthroid (250mg) and my breathing became better about a week later; but, it didn't go away. Over the last six months, I have had over a dozen of these attacks and increased wheezing.
During some of my last attacks, I went to a med clinic down the street. Basically, I was told I was a nut and given xanax. I call my endo doctor and told him I was having difficulty breathing. He said it wasn't related to my thyroid and sent me to a ENT. After looking at my throat and vocal cords in addition to CT scans of my throat and chest, he sent me to a pulmonary doctor. The pulmonary doctor did a bronchosopy and everything looked good and implied I was a nut and needed some anti-anxiety medication. The pulmonary doctor sent me to another ENT who told me that the wheezing was causing me to panic and said that I needed a better anti-anxiety medication other than xanax. Not one of these experts could tell me where the wheezing was coming from.
I know that I'm not crazy. I'm just surrounded by doctors who don't truly listen. I really hate it when they don't have an answer and blame their....lack of a solution on me. Frankly, I would feel better if they would just say "I don't know". I can't tell you how many times I've heard "that's not my area of specialty" when I've asked a question. Seems to me that most of these doctors are over specialized. So much so that they can't see beyond their own nose. Consequently, I'm out thousands of dollars and still don't have a solution; not to mention time spent and the discomfort experienced.
I'm coming to the conclusion something was damaged in my throat after my thyroid surgery and radiation treatments that doctors don't know about or don't want to talk about. Either way, I still can't breathe. Had I known that this procedure would compromise my quality of life this much, I might not have gone through this horrible never ending process.
Thanks to all of you who took the time to write about your experiences. It truly helped me knowing that I am not alone.
San Antonio, Texas
During some of my last attacks, I went to a med clinic down the street. Basically, I was told I was a nut and given xanax. I call my endo doctor and told him I was having difficulty breathing. He said it wasn't related to my thyroid and sent me to a ENT. After looking at my throat and vocal cords in addition to CT scans of my throat and chest, he sent me to a pulmonary doctor. The pulmonary doctor did a bronchosopy and everything looked good and implied I was a nut and needed some anti-anxiety medication. The pulmonary doctor sent me to another ENT who told me that the wheezing was causing me to panic and said that I needed a better anti-anxiety medication other than xanax. Not one of these experts could tell me where the wheezing was coming from.
I know that I'm not crazy. I'm just surrounded by doctors who don't truly listen. I really hate it when they don't have an answer and blame their....lack of a solution on me. Frankly, I would feel better if they would just say "I don't know". I can't tell you how many times I've heard "that's not my area of specialty" when I've asked a question. Seems to me that most of these doctors are over specialized. So much so that they can't see beyond their own nose. Consequently, I'm out thousands of dollars and still don't have a solution; not to mention time spent and the discomfort experienced.
I'm coming to the conclusion something was damaged in my throat after my thyroid surgery and radiation treatments that doctors don't know about or don't want to talk about. Either way, I still can't breathe. Had I known that this procedure would compromise my quality of life this much, I might not have gone through this horrible never ending process.
Thanks to all of you who took the time to write about your experiences. It truly helped me knowing that I am not alone.
San Antonio, Texas
My total thyroidectomy was 2 weeks ago today. I, too, am suffering with shortness of breath. Went back to work today and struggled to get out a sentence without having to totally regroup. Can't even imagine something really strenuous. Appointment with surgeon to get stitches out last week showed that my vocal chords have some movement and will recover but even my doctor said she isn't sure why I am short of breath. VERY UNNERVING. She almost acted like it wasn't a "real" issue. It's weird because I feel pretty good otherwise, energy level seems even better than pre-sugery so I'm wondering if my levels were off and now with the synthroid and whatever my body has left, I feel better. I'm sure all that will need to be adjusted once the natural stuff is depleted. Seems like there are a good amount of people sharing this particular side effect (shortness of breath) but haven't heard any real positive remarks about it going away. Hopefully, that's because everybody got better and no longer has time to post :-). Thanks for reading. Any input would be welcomed.
Thank you, person from Texas, for starting and following up on this this thread. Thank you all others for your informative comments. My 33 year old son has just had a thyroidectomy, and I am viewing related sites to become informed.
You have all been helpful with giving me a view for what may be coming and possible remedies.
Please keep up the great communication!
You have all been helpful with giving me a view for what may be coming and possible remedies.
Please keep up the great communication!
I am so happy to find this discussion. I had thryoidectomy in November and I am also experiencing shortness of breath, breathing problems, and chest pain. I went to the surgeon today and he said it was all "going to be fine". He had no suggestions or remedies. He vaugely mentioned scar tissue.
My endocrinologist is trying to get my thyroid levels fixed, but I pretty much feel horrible most of the time. It feeld like I am going to choke and something is on my chest. I don't have any answers for you, but it helps to know others are experiencing the same thing. It is NOT in our heads.
My endocrinologist is trying to get my thyroid levels fixed, but I pretty much feel horrible most of the time. It feeld like I am going to choke and something is on my chest. I don't have any answers for you, but it helps to know others are experiencing the same thing. It is NOT in our heads.
consider magnesium deficiency... the symptoms are many including yours...
I to have the same problems, shortness of breath, chest hurting, not being able to sleep laying down, voice is hoarse as the day goes on, can not raise my voice in a yell, sometimes have to regroup to get a word out. Something is truley wrong. I had my thyroid removed 3 months ago. The surgeon i had feels that there may have been 2 things going on with me and is sending me to a noise,ear and throat specialist. He thinks that the thyroid and its size and nodules were masking something esle. The other thing is that I had a respitory infection after surgery and the coughing could have damaged something. HMMMMMMMMMMMM. Why all the same symptoms and nothing getting done. Will listen to ideas and thoughts.
I hope I don't discourage any of you but I have been at this for 20 years! I am now at the point of utter frustration and so have been surfing the web looking for others in the same situation. A little history.....my thyroidectomy was in the summer of 1990. I had I131 treatment that fall. I never got my energy levels back until I discovered a book by Dr Ronald Hoffman, "Tired All the Time". He mentioned prescribing Cytomel (T3) along with the Synthroid or Eltroxin (T4) and found his female patient had excellent results. I talked my family doctor into it and had several "normal" years. Coincidentally the day I found the book, I was in Edmonton seeing a neurologist for tests on my hands due to carpal tunnel symptoms. (The numbness in my hands disappeared once I was on the Cytomel!) We moved across the country in 1994 and so I had to change doctors. My first endocronologist was not alarmed that I was on the Cytomel....his first question was always "how do you feel" and then he would look at the bloodwork. When he retired, the new endocronologist was more interested in the bloodwork and not so interested in how I felt. My levels were deemed "too high" (on paper!) at one point and the prescription for Cytomel was not renewed. A few years went by but slowly I was beginning to lose energy, wake up feeling like I had never slept, numbness in the hands returned, stiffness in my legs, shortness of breath and so on. When I couldn't take it anymore, I called the Endocronologist and begged for the Cytomel prescription. Just a day or two and I would be feeling the best I had felt in months. Again all would be well for a few years and then the decision would be made that I was "too high" again. The last time that I had to give up the Cytomel (fall of 2008), I was having almost constant heart palpitations. I am presently on a dose of .175 of T4 but by December of 2009 I could start to feel the "crash" was coming again. Two months later, I have all my classic hypo symptoms back. My endocronologist refuses to consider the problem is my thyroid meds. She has told me she believes it is "something else". I have been to my family doctor recently and told her how I am feeling and since she has no desire to get involved with the complicated business of suppressing TSH she has suggested B12 and CoQ10 supplements! Only when I told her that I was short of breath did I get her attention. She has requested bloodwork and I note she has requested my B12 levels. Here's where I am at.....I'm frustrated. I can't get away from this vicious circle of feeling good, then crashing, then begging for someone to listen and so on! I am otherwise healthy. I mostly see the doctor on just an annual basis.....for my annual physical. I don't avoid the doctor because of cost....I'm Canadian....we pay in advance (taxes!!). But I am beginning to get the feeling from my endocronologist that she is "tired" of my ups and downs with my symptoms. My bloodwork is perfect .....what's the problem?! I describe it to others in this way.....I am sitting on a fence and can never sit up straight for long.....sometimes I lean forward (hypo) and other times I'm leaning back (hyper) all the while just wishing I could sit up straight forever! How I miss my thyroid! I guess there was no choice once the cancer was diagnosed but for any of the doctors and pharmacy types out there, synthetic thyroid hormone replacement is not perfect. What I don't understand is why can't they reduce my T4 and re-introduce a small dose of T3? I think Dr. Hoffman is correct when he says that some don't convert the T4 into T3 efficiently and I believe I am the classic example of that! I have been totally off of my thyroid medications three times......once prior to the thyroidectomy (I was on T4 prior to the cancer diagnosis) and twice to prepare for the I131 treatments. Three times is enough to learn what it feels like to be hypo and yet it seems my doctors forget I have that experience. To those of you just starting out on this adventure, I hope my reality is not your's and that you have more luck with your replacement therapy. But if you do start to have problems, I highly recommend that you keep a diary and ask each and every time for a copy of your bloodwork. I have done neither and now wish after 20 years that I had! It is all there in the doctor's file but given our healthcare system in the north, I'm not so sure that any of that information is actually mine (in an ownership way)! Since I am just 49, I am going to start now to once again be as assertive as I was when the lump was found in my neck. I demanded answers and explanations then and I didn't take no from a surgeon when he told me it was "just a cyst". I hope to get a referral to another endocronologist for a second opinion but again that is not so easy with our healthcare system. The thought is.....you HAVE one already! And I want someone to explain to me WHY they can't reduce my daily T4 amount and re-introduce a small dose of T3. To me, that is what needs to be done at this point.
I had a total thyroid removal done on 3/31/10, since the surgery I was put on the generic version of syrmoid @88mcg. now they changed it to 100mcg of smythoid. I have chest pains contantly, mostly on the left side of my chest, but sometimes on the right side as well, I have tingling, numbness feeling in my hands, feet, lips and burning feeling in my back. My endo doctor tells me these are not related to the surgery, that my levels are fine, they had me on calcium for the first two weeks, but now took me off saying my calcium levels are high, I have all my parathyroid glands in tact. This is a living nightmare, I have had every heart test done, down to a heart cath with normal results including ekg. No-one seems to know why I am having chest pains, which by the way I did not have prior to the surgery. I am so tired of hearing maybe it is a panic disorder, the surgery is over what would I be panicing about. After reading everyone elses comments I don't feel so crazy anymore, I was beginning to think that I was crazy and the doctors keep looking at me like I'm just making the stuff up. Can anyone offer any hope.
None of you is crazy! I had a complete thyroidectomy in July 2010 due to pappilary thyroid carcinoma. I, too, feel like I can't breathe sometimes, like my chest is being slowly crushed. I get the "panic attacks," too! I have no energy and get sleepy during the daytime, even after sleeping 11 hours the night before! Everything feels "different" in my throat and neck now. I think there is prob. scar tissue in my neck that I am feeling sometimes. My dr. gave me an anti-anxiety drug, too, but it makes me so sleepy! I am not just having panic attacks for NO reason! The surgery has changed SOMETHING in my neck and throat, but I don't know what it is. An ENT has confirmed one of my vocal cords is paralyzed completely and still hasn't "come back." I'm wondering if my laryngeal nerve was cut during the surgery. The surgeon said the tumor had grown to all the surrounding tissue, so he had to "dig it out!" The whole area was traumatized! The surgeon also tells me that everything is fine, but something is NOT fine -- I can't breathe sometimes! The doctors just think I'm crazy! Does it EVER get better?? Pat
Hi, I just had my thryoid removed on 9/3/10 . I had a multinodular goiter that I've had for approximatly 10 years. It was rather large and needed to be removed. Not to mention it was off the wall on my thyroid levels.. So, I had it removed , and I found that I felt better. However , I felt like I had brochitis. I had a dry hacking cough. One of my vocal chords was strained in getting it out , b/c of it being so large. So to start w/ I had what seemed to be bronchitis along w/ my voice going in and out , and out of breathe and wheezing. Now, 3 weekis out I still have the strained vocal chord and get out of breathe and start wheezing w/ little effort. I've mentioned this to my endocrinologist and my surgeon. Both are at a loss. I'm going to give it a while more. I just don't know what anyone can really do. I've got my regular inhalor ( symbicort) and then when I start wheezing I use the albuteral. Please let me know if you find out anything more.
It's a shame that no one seems to be looking into this.
God Bless.
It's a shame that no one seems to be looking into this.
God Bless.
I just had my thyroid removed sept 1 2010, also 1 defective para thyroid gland. ( i didnt even know I had those in my body) I am suffering the same choking feeling. I have a small thropat to begin with and now it feels really small. I have choked just from a drink of water . Its really bad. I f I take a deep breath(and I am always trying to take in air)it now make a funny noise. One of my vocal cords in paralized but shoul come back.
I went on oscal 4a day right after surgery and 175 of synthroid.
Your thyroid controlls ev erything in your body and now it is gone. You must take at least calcium and sythroid or generic everyday.
My thyroid was takin out why in looking for a bad para thyroid gland that was killing my kidney. I only have 1 kidney so this had to be done. I was not prepared for this outcome though
I went on oscal 4a day right after surgery and 175 of synthroid.
Your thyroid controlls ev erything in your body and now it is gone. You must take at least calcium and sythroid or generic everyday.
My thyroid was takin out why in looking for a bad para thyroid gland that was killing my kidney. I only have 1 kidney so this had to be done. I was not prepared for this outcome though