[sherry]

#1019904

My daughter has to have surgery to have a goiter removed, can anyone tell me how it went for them, and how the recovery process was? She is 18, and very nervous about this, and so am I. Thanks!

[Rebecca17]

#1074921

Hi Sherry & Daughter,

I am just connecting with this wonderful bullentin board after all my stuff is hopefully all recently behind me. I did outline my surgical experiences under a topic of surgery. As for my situation I had gone past the point where RAI was an option. I liked the idea of having the surgery and being done with it rather than the slowly dying off of the thyroid which I was told can take up to two years and possibly require additional treatment. Also I had some cold nodules and those needed to be assessed. Also was one of the ones who gained weight – lots. Despite the fact that I had shifted my eating habits to a largely protein-based diet with protein shakes etc. What I found after the surgery is the once revved up body began to slow down to normal – didn’t go to bathroom every 10 minutes, nails/hair grew slower thus thicker, lost 12 lbs w/o even knowing or TRYING…. and still at that very same weight w/o even TRYING. Will start consiously working on my weight before too long. For me, the lessons learned:
(1) sooner is better than later
(2) must have good relationship with ENT Surgeon
(3) had talked with several before deciding on ENT Surgeon – questions had been advised to ask by others were How many surgeries of my type do you do; How many problems; What are the risks; Do you perform parathyroid surgery (to insure they know the value of saving them); and What else can you tell me about your experiences with this type of surgery. For me, the one I went with was also an airway specialist – which turned out to be a necessary skill in my case. And he was very calm. As advanced hyper even with med’s I was still hyper and tearful and fearful.
(4) get the right beta blockers while waiting – certain ones caused up to a handfull of hair loss a day – I was in shock until isolating the culprit. Some beta blockers have side effects of wt gain – so for me they were a trial and error approach.
(5) Have a wonderful primary care PA or MD and endo – they could even give you something to calm your nerves.

[ballamom00]

#1074922

I just now found this site. I had a very different situation from most of the people on here. 11 years ago, (at age 30), my regular doctor found a nodule on my thyroid. After going thru the rounds of tests to find out if there was cancer or not, we got no answer. So my ENT removed only 1/2 of my thyroid. That surgery went well and I recovered without any problems. I also lived on 1/2 a thyroid function, without pills, for 10 years. Then in May 08 I got diagnosed with Graves disease. I opted to take the radioactive pill. In July 08 I took the pill and am still dealing with many issues. Not only is my thyroid still working, but I have gained weight at a rapid rate, have stiff hands, and feel like I get Charlie horses, or muscle pulls very easily. I have always been very independent and now I feel like I am being held back in life. I recently became a single mom to 3 very active teenage daughters and I hate NOT being able to even write out all my bills without needing there help. Has anyone else had these symptoms? Do they go away once you start taking the medication? I have been going in for blood withdrawal the past 3 months with no new news. It is frustrating to feel sore all the time. Especially in my arms, neck and lower back. Please tell me there are others out there who have had to deal with these kinds of issues. It would make my day!!!!!

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