[nthomas08]

#1018019

Hello all, my name is Nina and I have been recently diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. I will be having a total thyroidectomy Monday, April 18, 2011 due to (toxic multinodular goiter) on my left side and 2 new growths (4mm) each on my right.

For years, I’ve known of my rapid heart rate (always thought it was normal) but, apparently not. I’ve noticed extreme exhaustion as well but, I thought I was just tired because I haven’t been sleeping well most days. Couldn’t put a finger on why I couldn’t sleep (so much energy, my mind wouldn’t shut off) I started taking sleeping meds just to sleep. Other times, I could fall asleep at the drop of a dime.

My concern with the TT is the recovery. I have some idea as to what to expect but, the adjustment to the medications is what concerns me? How long will it take for my mind & body to coexist to these sudden changes. Will I be able to play tennis soon? Rollerblade? Play with the grandchildren? I’m very active and love to live life to the fullest. This is really going to put me in a different frame of mind if I do not recuperate as expected. This will not be a fun thing to go through but, it is needed and I seem to be thinking the worst. Please grant me the strength to get through this.

This is a hereditary issue in my family. My father had thyroid cancer (doing well) and had all of his thyroid removed as well as glands, my sister had a partial last October and recovered phenomenally, my uncle had his TT many years ago and takes synthroid daily. They’ve all had a great recovery and are telling me not to be concerned. Easier said than done but, it will be, what it will be.

Realistic, wholesome and truthful advice would be much appreciated! Thank you in advance. I’m glad I lucked up on this blog!

[Ski]

#1062248

Hi Nina,

First you should know that you are SO lucky to have been correctly diagnosed, at last ~ you will be amazed at the difference when you have fully healed. We do tend to dismiss the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, and we find that even doctors behave that way at times, which complicates diagnosis and successful treatment for many.

Remember that you have been ill, and you will now be getting WELL. You have a process to go through, but you’re headed in the right direction. Continued hyperthyroidism could truly have been debilitating. TT has one big advantage for the GD patient ~ you know exactly when your thyroid stops functioning, because it is gone. For that reason, the initial dose of replacement hormone is given rather soon, so the route to your perfect dose of replacement hormone may be quicker.

Still, it takes some time to zero in on just the right replacement dose, so remember to be patient. You must wait at least six weeks after beginning a new dose of thyroid hormone replacement before your blood tests can accurately represent your body’s reaction to that dose ~ it has to do with the pituitary feedback loop, and the life of thyroid hormone in the bloodstream, but it’s more important just to know that you need to wait that amount of time. If, after that time, your blood test shows imbalance once way or another, then you need to move doses SLOWLY, usually one dose level at a time. You can see how just a few adjustments can take a while, and it can be frustrating, but it is what it is, and there’s no changing it. In the meantime, look for small improvements, things that are better (slightly) today than they were yesterday, rather than looking to feel "right." Your body needs to heal from the hyperthyroidism before it can start to get back to "right," and you need to find the correct dose of thyroid hormone replacement before your body can heal from the hyperthyroidism.

Everything you can do at this point to put a smile on your face will be worth it, trust me! We find that many GD patients turn out to be "Type A," do-everything-for-everyone kind of people, so you may need to dial that back a little, for a while ~ and believe me, we all know that is difficult! Try to evaluate your daily tasks, and cut out the things that don’t "feed your soul," that seem to only drain you and are not essential to running your household. In addition, you should ADD things to your day that DO "feed your soul," because it’ll really help you get through the healing process (I promise). Finally, NO GUILT ALLOWED! ” title=”Very Happy” /> Others may not understand (though it sounds as if your family truly does), so you need to be good to yourself until you feel you can go back to everything you "used to" do all the time.

I hope that helps! We’re glad you found us too!

[nthomas08]

#1062249

Thank you, Ski for the invaluable information! I truly appreciate everything you’ve told me and I understand now that this isn’t a quick fix. Patience and trust in my healthcare provider will do me justice.

I am a week and 1 day in recovery from my surgery and it was quite the feat! The evening of my surgery I had a very uncomfortable night due to the lack of understanding from my care provider in the hospital! I found that nurses are not our friends!!! I hate saying that but, my experience was absolutely horrible the first night! I felt as if I was in a horror movie!

One knows ones body and to have someone tell you that their appears to be no swelling at my surgical site was dumbfounding! My incision site had swollen so badly that my bandage popped off! I was in tremendous pain and was told at 10pm that I could not receive any further pain meds until 2am!!! Which by the way, I was given regular vicodin pills and by the way did not touch my pain at all! She made me swallow pills!!! After surgery and didn’t even tell me that their was also an IV med she could have given me instead! I got up out of the bed at 1am crying (red, black and purple bruising, swelling on my neck) and went to search for the nurse manager (who couldn’t be found) to complain of my treatment by this nurse! No where to be found, once the nurse had seen me in the hallway (balling my eyes out) she made it a point to come into my room at 1:30am and tells me that it looks like she’ll be giving me pain medication an hour early and oh by the way she tells me (I found that their is another pain med on your chart for dilaudid via IV!!!!! Which I feel should’ve been done in the first place instead of making me choke down pills!

The next morning the surgeon arrives and see’s my neck and wants me to explain what happened! I tell him as best I could of her mistreatment! He then goes and grabs a tracheotomy kit and explains to me that he may need to perform this! SCARED OUT OF MY MIND! But, thank you heavenly father my oxygen levels were ok for him not to do so! I then had to have surgery again to reopen my wound to see why my neck had swollen so bad (2nd surgery)! He found a large hematoma and fluid! He was not at all happy because he was not called during the night of my swelling! My 2nd day in the hospital I had nurse managers and administrators coming in and out of my room requesting to know what happened! I’m just glad that I didn’t see that nurse again while I remained in the hospital until Thursday! I just can’t stop thinking about the horror of that night! I’d received exceptional care after that night and I thanked the nursing staff every chance I got for their compassion and quality of care! My one night stay turned into 4! Due to someone having a bad night, day and week!

[Ski]

#1062250

Oh my goodness! Truly one of those rare stories, I’m so sorry you had to go through all of that, and I’m so glad you’re recovering now!

Just as an aside to everyone else here, I read an article not long ago that mentioned the risks associated with a hospital stay, and they mentioned specifically that overnight staffing is not always as "talented and professional" as daytime staffing, plus (as you see here) they are frequently afraid of the doctors and unwilling to disturb them in the middle of the night, if they’re not completely certain it’s necessary. Not to paint every night nurse with a broad brush, but it’s definitely something to consider when you have some time to think and plan ahead of surgery. The suggestion was to have a family member spend the night, at least the first night, just so you have two voices (and one that isn’t in pain and shock from a recent procedure). In addition to that, speak with your surgeon ahead of time and ask for particular symptoms to look for that SHOULD trigger a call. Then you (and your overnight family member) can speak with some authority when and if something happens.

Here’s to a future of health and happiness for you! ” title=”Very Happy” />

[sportnut2]

#1062251

Dear Nina,
So sorry to hear about your stay in thehospital. How are you doing now? Do you recall when you were able to return to playing sports? My daughter is an athlete who wants to return to playing asap after surgery so she is wondering when she will be able. Any advice you can give would be great!
Thanks!
Suzanne

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