[Nick]

#1067590

It may be Hypocalcemia.

[chaynladi]

#1067591

Nick–Thanks, yes it is hypocalcemia. Sorry, I should have given a little more info on my knowledge of the medical information. I should have also said that they gave her a prescription for calcitriol.

I am really looking for someone who has had a similar experience. I’m wondering if other people have had severe cramping in the hands or other areas and how long their symptoms continued. It’s scary to see my child like this. If anyone has had a similar experience, could you share with me? I think it will help my daughter and I both to know that others have had the same symptoms.

[chaynladi]

#1018870

My 17 yr old daughter was diagnosed with Grave’s in June. After researching she decided surgery was the best choice for her. Surgery was on October 15th. Even though she has been taking high doses of calcium her calcium levels have been low. This morning when she woke up both of her hands were cramped up into fists and she could barely open them. I took her to the ER. Blood tests showed low calcium. They gave her IV calcium and sent us home. We were instructed by the ER physician to follow up with her Endocrinologist on Monday. She has had 2 more doses (1890mg/per dose) of calcium since we got home from the ER. Her hands are starting to cramp up again. Has anyone had a similar experience?

[Ski]

#1067592

It’s also possible to have cramps from low thyroid hormone levels, has that been ruled out?

[chaynladi]

#1067593

Yes, her thyroid levels are still in the normal to high range. Except for her PTH, which is low. We met with her endocrinologist on Wednesday after having more blood tests on Tuesday. Her calcium is very low. He has instructed me to put her on a low phosphorous diet and will be monitoring her calcium levels weekly. She hasn’t had any more cramping since Sunday, but still experiences tingling in her hands periodically.

[r3b3kk433]

#1067594

Hi, firstly i’m sorry that your daughter has to go thru this at such a young age. I’m now 13 months and 10 days post operative-and i still get the tingles and sometimes the cramps! Its taken over 10 months to get my meds right. During my surgery they removed all of my parathyroid glands, 6 hours after i came round from the anesthetic i started with the hand cramps, facial spasms, leg and feet cramps, and eye twitching, I was in the hospital for 2 weeks until they were satisfied my calcium levels had risen. Im now on 4mg of alfacacidol daily, and i’m happy to say i have been pretty stable for about 3 months, unless i have a really busy day at work and don’t get chance to eat i feel pretty good! The only advise i can give you is to make sure you push the doctors into investigating everything-and be prepared for lots of blank looks-i was told by my endo that i was acting like a hypocondriac and 3 days later i was in A&E on a calcium IV, your daughter will know when she doesnt feel right, and you’ll be able to monitor her. Best wishes to you and more importantly, your daughter, just let her know that it does get better ” title=”Smile” />

[riverwishin]

#1067595

Hello,
I too am sorry your daughter is having problems. Especially at her age. I am 52 and had my very Hyper-Thyroid removed two months ago today. The Dr’s don’t know what is going on and yes alot of blank looks. Endo says I’m not sure why you are cramping?? Well I don’t know either but what I do know is that it is happening. Also, I read that most aren’t even real Endo’s. Most are just Internal Medicine and there are only approximately 4000 true Endo’s in the United States. I am miserable. I can’t sleep because of cramping. I haven’t been out or to work in two months because of cramping. I get the Calcium thing and am taking replacements (4000mg’s a day of Calcium) but no help. I’m afraid I’m going to wake up one morning on a resperator in the fetal possition! I have cramps in places I didn’t know there were muscles! I had a cramp in my tounge which pulled it back and I couldn’t breath! They have me on two Thyroid Drugs, Levothyroxine and Liothyronine, but guess what you can’t take Calcium within 4hrs of taking them and I have to take all of them twice a day. This is no quality of life. Headaches are crushing to and Dr. said "I don’t know why your having headaches?". Wish I had not done this and checked out feeling relatively normal. I know that sound’s bad but dam this is not right! I think I’m going to print the Dr. a bunch of posts bind them and give him some information for the next patient. Interesting thing is though that the Surgeon knew what was going to happen but he told me that if he had informed me what could happen I wouldn’t go through with it. My Husband is a Saint! He goes to work comes home and takes care of things I can’t do anymore. Even going to the bathroom is a hassel! I’m just so tired. I hope everyone else feels better because that would mean there is hope?

[Ski]

#1067596

Yes, there’s definitely hope! I know two months seems like a long time, but it’s really not, in terms of normalizing thyroid hormone levels. You WILL get there, I promise.

[r3b3kk433]

#1067597

Riverwishin-hang on in there hunny, it does get better, I promise ” title=”Smile” />

[JamieMelin]

#1067598

I just joined the forum and this is the first post I read. I was going to say that the cramping may be from a calcium deficiency if your parathyroid glands were removed, but I see that discussion has already happened. My surgeon was adamant about NOT removing my parathyroids, for which I am grateful, and I am now 8 months out from my thyroidectomy. I think we got my hormones balanced well by 6 months (my TSH has been around 3 since July), but I have noticed some continuing symptoms of deep muscle and joint pain, especailly when I am coming down with a cold or something. I will probably post more questions about that…but I just wanted to wish your daughter the best. It will get better!

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