[snelsen]

#1063133

Hi Thila!
Whoooeee! Congratuations! Your post put a grin on my face, for except for the going hypo part, it brought back memories of my thyroidectomy, and how happy I was! But I have had one episode of being hypo, and it is as miserable in its’ own way, as being hyper!

I pretty much followed your path post operatively, no pain meds after I got home, ate some regular, some softer food, for it is like having a sore throat when I swallowed. This resolved after a week or so. The net did not exist at all when I had my surgery, so I did not read any horror stories at that time. I felt confident about my decision, I was 24 years old, confident about my surgeon, and the outcome was just what I wanted. I hope jrusin70 is reading your post, and others that she can find in the search engine.

I take Synthroid, and this topic has been covered before, but since you are new to taking the drug,
I’d like to mention that it is important to take it first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, with at least 1/2 glass of water. I keep the water and Synthroid by my bed, and the first time i wake up anywhere near early morning, I take it. You should wait at least 1/2 hour before you eat. And stagger any supplements, if you take them, especially calcium, at least 4 hours after taking Synthroid. They interfere with the metabolism of the thyroid hormone. This is easy to do, once you get started right, and then the subsequent labs that you have will reflect accurately the level of circulating and stored hormone.

Welcome (back) to the world of feeling LIKE YOU! It is great. Sounds like you are having excellent care, and will have good follow-up. Remember to tell the endo how you are feeling, as well as getting the labs.
What a great way to begin 2011!
Shirley

[Thila]

#1018181

I am more of a lurker than a poster on this board but I had to say thank you for all of the great information that I have weaned from this site. I had a total thyroidectomy nine days ago and feel so much better. My Endocrinologist put me on Synthroid yesterday and he promises that the worst part is over. I had to go way hypo in order to have my surgery because I was SO incredibly hyper from Graves. Looking back, I am really surprised that I didn’t have a heart attack. It took months and months for the endo to get my numbers exactly where he wanted them before he felt comfortable with me having the surgery. I can now truly sympathize with those that have been hypo. It wasn’t fun! But being WAY hyper wasn’t a walk in the park either!

I gained exactly 15 pounds on Methimazole this year but that was to be expected. I know it will come off when my numbers are within normal range again and I am exercising on a regular schedule again. I walked a mile and a half this morning and felt really good (doc said it was ok to walk). My surgeon told me my goiter was the size of his fist so no wonder I was having trouble breathing. I had a biopsy a few months back and it came back inconclusive for cancer. They biopsied it again after surgery and my test results now say it was benign. I am so thankful for this.

Just wanted to say that I read a few horror stories out on the net about people’s thyroidectomies. I experienced a little bit of pain but nothing like others described and I quit taking my pain meds when I left the hospital a day later. I wouldn’t say it was a cake walk exactly but it was pretty darn close to it and I do not regret my decision one bit. I felt that I gleaned the best information from this site and wanted to say thank you again for all of the input. I know that it will take a while for my endo to figure out the magic amount of Synthroid that I should be on but it’s all good. Here is to a happy new year with numbers that are within "normal" range. Love you ladies!

[Thila]

#1063134

Thanks girl. I put my Synthroid on my nightstand as suggested along with my favorite water bottle. I had my pills on the kitchen counter but this is better because it forces me to look at it when I am swatting at the alarm clock. I will have to change my morning routine around but it shouldn’t be too much of a change. My endo told me the same thing about the calcium and Synthroid and to not take it at the same time. I feel like I am learning about a whole new process now. I feel good though! Merry Christmas!

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