[rachael123]

#1017935

I had a total thyroidectomy four weeks ago and feel awful……… ” title=”Sad” /> ” title=”Sad” /> How long does it take to recover ?? The first two weeks I felt I was recovering well despite having to go back to hospital the day after being discharged as my calcium levels had dropped and was experiencing tingling in my face hands and feet. Last week I developed swollen glands (looked like something from Alvin and the Chipmunks) a temperature and was spitting up blood !!!! talk about panic …… saw doctor who gave me antibiotics four days later my incision was angry red and felt hot to the touch and the day after was very mucky at the ends went back and they changed my tablets. My voice is still very weak and tires easily (husband loves it !!! as I can’t raise my voice) and my throat still feels very tight and sore. Am I expecting too much too soon or is this the normal road to recovery ??? Before my surgery I had a problem which this urge to deep breathe all the time and when I tried to take a deep breathe I couldn’t. A couple of times I got myself in a bit of a panic because I couldnt get a deep breathe. Over time I have realised that I can breathe and just got on with it. I thought this would disappear once I had surgery it hasn’t …… Will this feeling ever go away ?? Just looking for a bit of reassurance from someone that this does actually get better !!!!! If I am honest I felt better before surgery. ( I know I will probably be swallowing my words in a few weeks I am just not a patient person lol lol )

[Ski]

#1061720

I’m not sure that everything you’ve experienced is typical, but a majority of the things you mention are definitely possible soon after surgery (and four weeks is still within the typical six-week window after any type of surgery), so I think you can look forward to resolution of all of these issues over time. When is your next follow up with the surgeon?

[rachael123]

#1061721

Thanks for your reply. Had operation on 27th April and had follow up on 9th may and he said I was recovering well. I am currently on 100mcg of Levothyroxin blood tests will be done this Friday and any adjustments required he will let me know. He said on my last visit he probably would not see me til July . Phoned consultant on day of high temp incident etc and was told to phone my GP ???? GP tells you to phone consultant it is so frustrating.

[Kimberly]

#1061722

Wow, how frustrating on the docs passing the buck back and forth! Hopefully, others who have had surgery will chime in here, as I have not heard of that particular issue. I would encourage you to keep calling until you can get *one* of the doctors to give you some direction!

[genuinruby]

#1061723

Hi Rachael123, sorry to hear that you are having a difficult time with recovery. It does take a long time. And the process of healing is very gradual. It is common for the parathyroid glands to feel traumatized and not function for a while after sugery, but they usually return to normal, and your doctor will confirm this with lab tests. Immediatly after surgery, I had a "voice" but the days and weeks following those first couple of days I was really worried, as I could not sing. But now it has been 8 months and I can now sing along with the radio and even hit higher notes. Something I had not been able to do for quite some time. I never believed it when I was told that healing from surgery would take a year, but I believe it now. Keep in mind, you are not only healing from a surgery, your body is trying to heal itself from being hyperthyroid. Hang in there, I wish you the best.

Ruby in Reno

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