[mhanscom]

in reply to: Results after Total Thryroidectomy #1174827

Hi Emily,
I just read your first post. It sounds just like me. I have posted my scenario as well, but hadn’t read yours before. It was like you were posting for me. Then I read you had a TT 14 days ago. I had mine on Nov 12th. I feel exactly the same way you do. I get my levels checked tomorrow. I definitely know they are lower. The heart palpitations have stopped and I feel like the pressure has been lifted off my chest. I was on 100mcg of Synthroid when I left the hospital and my Dr. moved it to 75mcg 3 days later. I have been weaned off the beta blockers too.

I am still a bit tired but I am not sure if it is from the healing process or the thyroid. Time and tests will tell. I am really cold all of the time even colder than I was before. I too am worried about weight gain but my Dr. said if I eat healthy it should be no more than 5lbs. I have read differently but I guess this is the least of my worries.
So far I have been please with my decision to have it removed. The symptoms were so severe they were scary. When the Dr. said that my own body was killing itself I really knew this was a big deal.

You can read more about me on my post, search for mhanscom.
Hopefully this will help someone. I know the posts help me make my decision.

Michelle

[mhanscom]

in reply to: Total Thyroidectomy without scar? #1175055

I wanted to reply to this message because my surgeon is the top Head and Neck Dr. at USC. He asked me if I wanted to use the robotic way or traditional. I asked him the pros and cons. He said the scar was the only real good pro. He explained that by going through the armpit must be dome 2 separate surgeries because they can not cross the mid line muscle. He said it is about a 2.5hr surgery for each side so 5+ hrs under general. Beside he sad that my chest muscles would be super sore. He did say that he could use the robot and make 2 vertical lines in the side of the neck, but that would show just as much as the line across. He sad that the line he makes is so little and the stitches are so tiny that the line becomes invisible over the next few months.

Needless to say I had my TT 2 days ago in the traditional manner. He used a laser to cut and cauterize at the same time. My vocal nerves and parathyroids are all intact with no damage.
I have about an 1.5 inches of stitches with glue over it. He sad the glue is to keep the line nice and tight while it heals since it is at a bendy place. The glue will dissolve in a few days and so will the stitches.

Being able to ask the #1 and know what he personally would do was the best comfort for me. He would have done what I wanted but the personal advice I felt was the best. He communicates with me by email and by texting and he has already checked up on me today.

Hope this helps someone else decide.

[mhanscom]

in reply to: confused… #1172123

Home from my TT. The first night I spent the the hospital where they monitored everything especially my calcium levels. Good news they saved all of my parathyroids and vocal nerves. The surgeon said everything went well.

Started 100mcg of Synthroid yesterday (2nd day after)continuing with beta blockers, antibiotics to prevent infection and pain meds. Spent the entire day vomiting. A lovely homecoming. Today I feel better, but weak. Going to the endo today.
Pain is gone, I just feel a bit bruised and stiff.

I’ll post more when I have details.

[mhanscom]

in reply to: confused… #1172121

Today is the day! I have my total thyroidectomy in a few hours. Hoping this leads to feeling better soon. Being hyper and on meds. that are not working is taxing.
I’ll post soon with results.
Thanks for all of your support. It is so helpful reading other posts and knowing that I am not the only one going through this.

[mhanscom]

in reply to: confused… #1172119

Hi everyone,
I has been a while, but dealing with Graves has been difficult for me. Here is my update:
37yo Female
Diag in March 2012
TSH 0.01
T4 2.3 (0.8-1.
T3 267 (76-181)

Start Methamazole for 6 weeks, sever headaches and abdominal symptoms

June:
TSH 0.01
T4 1.9 (0.8-1.
T3 224 (76-181)

Continued on a lower dose of Methmazole

July:
TSH 0.02
t4 1.5 (0.8-1.
T3 138 (76-181)

Continued to have side effects, lowered dose even more

September:
TSH 0.01
T4 and T3 back out of range and heart palpitationshave become more pronounced and a pulse of 126.
Frustrated. Endo wants to go PTU/RAI route. I have a fabulous surgeon who operated on my dad that is a Head/neck specialist at USC. I have consented to surgery in Novemeber, not sure what to tell the Endo. I want the extremes to end, the heart palpitations to go away. I am fearful of TED and the wear and tear on my body and heart. I know the immune part won’t go away, but some type of control will be nice.

Hoping I have made the right choice, I have a month to cancel.
Any feedback would be nice. Relative say I am jumping to surgery too quickly, but I read that it seems normal.
Help… advice, feedback…

[Author]

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