[cajadajp]

in reply to: Had Thyroidectomy Feb 5th-still not well #1073523

Hi Karen,

I am so sorry about the difficult surgery and postop problems! What do your surgeon and endocrinologist say that you can expect in your recovery course and time? You have had complications, both pre and postop, which are complicating your recovery, but you should be able to expect improvement ahead. The question is when.

You are in my prayers,
Carole

[cajadajp]

in reply to: Home from the hospital 2/7/09 #1073854

Hi Karen,

I will continue to pray for your recovery of your calcium levels and your voice. Sorry your surgery was difficult to do. Good that it was done to find the thyroid CA so that it could be removed. Get lots of rest and keep in touch with us at GDF!

Sincerely,
Carole

P.S. I was unable to access your personal message to me, but I did read your post of today 2/7/09.

[cajadajp]

in reply to: Total Thyroidectomy Scheduled 2/5/09 #1073993

Hi again, Karen,

I want to encourage you again–that you will most very likely start back on the road to health post thyroidectomy. Prior to treatment I had muscle weakness, osteopenia, shortness of breath, high blood pressure and high pulse, extreme irritability and anger, hair loss, feeling too hot, etc., etc. I know my work colleagues were wondering what was going on with me, especially since I had once been a very level headed, organized person–and a supervisor of others too. It was such a relief to know why I was having all those problems. I clung to PTU for five years against my physician’s recommendation, because I was so thankful to feel better. I also had hopes that I would go into remission, but my antibody titer was very high, and I think I am right in my conclusion that the high level of antibodies made remission very unlikely.

Even though PTU improved my life quite a bit, it did cause me problems eventually in the autoimmune attack on my right eye. That was serious, and the drugs that reversed it caused other problems—fatty liver disease and temporary muscle weakness and bone loss once again. The thyroidectomy is what really made the total difference in bringing me back to health. I was very fortunate to have an excellent surgeon, and I had a very good post-operative course. Another thing I was really glad about was that I no longer had to deal with my thyroid in a state of dying. It was gone, and the problems associated with it were gone too. I hope that encourages you about your surgery!

My prayers will be with you!
Carole

[cajadajp]

in reply to: Total Thyroidectomy Scheduled 2/5/09 #1073991

Hi Karen,

I, too, am an RN who had a thyroidectomy in 2003. My experience turned out great. I actually was not working by then and have not returned to work, so can’t answer those questions. I can tell you that I immediately felt better getting that sick thyroid out of my body. The heart palpitations stopped immediately. I did not have trouble with my voice; in fact, my singing voice was better without the enlarged thyroid. No swallowing or breathing problems either. I had an excellent surgeon who does lots of thyroidectomies.

I would say my overall feeling of well being came back starting right after the surgery. I was able to quit the PTU, which the rhuematology folks at UCSF thought had caused the scleritis of my right eye that I also had. I had to stay in treatment for that with steroids and eventually methotrexate. Those drugs did cause me some trouble, and I now have fatty liver disease as a result. I have regained my bone and muscle strength though.

I have stayed on between 100-150 mcg of Synthroid since the surgery. I do have other health problems, but I feel the thyroid problems are long behind me now.

I do hope you will do extremely well with the surgery and come out feeling much better!

Carole

1. How long before you returned to work?
2. Any problems with your voice after?
3. Breathing or swallowing problems?
4. How long did it take to feel "yourself" again?
5. When did your energy return?
6. Do you feel any improvement in your moods?
7. Did you start looking forward to things again?

Karen Schofield, RNscubarn

Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2009 6:09 am

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