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Tightness, fullness, painful neck post Thyroidectomy

By Marsha | 247 posts, last post
Iliriana Bisha Tagani, MD answered this What Is Thyroidectomy And Why Is It Performed?
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concerned

I see many other people are suffering with the tightness, fullness and choking feeling in their neck after Thyroid surgery. It's been 13 years since I had my surgery. I had a goiter the size of a soft ball which grew backwards and was wrapped around my esophagus and it took 7 hours to get it out. I've had several scans and they all come back normal, but I still feel like something is going on. When I eat sometimes it feels like it will not go down and even when I drink something to help it, it still will not go down to easily. I feel like I need to have my esophagus stretched. No one can tell me if I have scar tissue that is causing my problems or not. I have put off going to the doctor again because they just tell me all the test are normal. After reading everyone's replies I'm not sure if I will ever get answers. I got sick back in February and all my glands in my neck swelled up and I could hardly swallow and my voice stayed hoarse for 2 1/2 weeks. I took three different antibiotic, steroid shot, steroid pills, and nose sprays over a course of one month before it ever started clearing up. This is the worse it has ever been and my glands keep bothering me. I'll rub my neck and it seems to help clear up my glands by the next day. I feel like I'm going crazy until I reading all these posts. I really believe I am having problems with scar tissue around my esophagus and have for years but now it feels like its getting worse. Over the past years all my sinus issues usually settles in my neck glands because they will always swell and be tender. Hopefully I will get answers soon.
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Guest

I had a thyroidectomy about 18 months ago and I'm having all the same complications everybody else's is.. if anybody has found a cure for the tightness in the choking sensation please lmk
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Guest

Hi, I did a lot of research and found an article on scar tissue adhesions. It explained my issues. I brought it to my surgeon and pain management doctors who agreed with me. That doesn’t help me but at least I know what it is. :-(
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Guest

Thank you for the reply I feel it is scar tissue and it is ruined my quality of life.. too bad there wasn't a group to deal with this together
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Guest

I’m in the same boat. My doctor told me I should be out for 2 weeks. I had her make it 3 for HR but I was never able to return. I’ve been on disability ever since Sept 9, 2016 as it turned out to be cancer and much larger and more intricate than they thought. Sending hugs to all of us.
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Guest

Hi can anyone tell me if the tightness in my neck is caused from scar tissue has anyone seat a doctor who has been able to help them if so please let me know will travel anywhere since this has absolutely taking the quality of my life from me thanks..
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Guest

I am having similar issues to those in this thread after having a partial Thyroidectomy 6 months ago. I have a tightness on both sides of my throat, and swallowing is difficult. Praying for all of you who have been dealing with this for a long time.

ONE TIP I HAVE NOT SEEN MENTIONED IN THIS THREAD: What has helped me is to STAY HYDRATED. When I get dehydrated, my symptoms get much worse. By drinking alot of water, my neck eventually loosens up a bit and becomes manageable. Don't let yourself get dehydrated!

(Also I have recently begun using that "Lift chin to the ceiling and make chewing motions" excercise and it's seeming to help.)

I will be going to see my doctor here soon and I will report back if I have any new info that may help. God bless you guys.
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Guest

It's been several years since I had my thyroidectomy and my symptoms of tightening of the neck has worsened. I tried the lift chin exercise and chewing motions and it does seem to help. Thanks!
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Guest

Do you have the article so we can read it too?
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Guest

I know the post i just read was over a year ago but i had my right thyroid surgery 5 weeks ago and i have that same choking feeling
I was hoping that they resolved your issues and found a reason for you
Can you let me knoe how you are now as i start my journey cause how i am feeling i dont believe is normal
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desired septicaemia

I just posted the same problems you had. I had my right thyroid removed because of 2 tumours two months ago. Turned out they were benign. Wished i had never had surgery i am still unwell with tightness and choking feeling in throat. Also have bad acid reflux never had before. Doctors are not sure why i am like this and then i read your post. Did they resolve your issues as it might help me understand why i am like this.
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desired septicaemia

Marsha i have the exact same problems after my surgery 2 months ago. Did they solve yours. So interested to know cause i have the same.

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Guest

I had a tightness in my throat after my thyroidectomy, and I have come back to report that my issues have mostly gone away.

I did two things that helped:

1) the throat excercise mentioned in this thread, where you lift your chin to the celing and make chewing motions. I did this throughout the day for a week and I could tell my neck was beginning to loosen up. Also I physically massaged my neck, gently, in the areas which felt stiff. I would massage these areas for a few minutes, a few times throughout the day, and I believe this also helped a great deal.

2) I took the following regiment of supplements (giving you the ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** posting of web addresses is not allowed*** Please read our Terms of Use where I got mine):

First of all take a good multivitamin each morning, making sure it has Vitamin A and D and E and especially Zinc; and I was doubling up on them by also taking one after a light snack before bed. Then I took the following additional supplements, which you can do some research on to make sure that they don't interfere with any other medications you may be taking, and that they will indeed help with your neck tightness,

L-Glutamine: 

L-Lysine:

CoQ10:

Nattokinase:

Serrapeptase:

Wheat Germ Oil: 

Omega 3 Fatty Acid: 

and you might try this Maha Oil that may help loosen your neck in the meantime

Wishing you guys luck - God bless and I hope your necks get better.

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Guest

Oh my gosh I thought I was just imagining it. I took ibuprofin and seemed to help my chocking sensation too ! I always thought due to swelling so Made sense to try
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Guest

I'm sick of being told it's reflux!!!!!! It is not.
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