Having a Thyroidectomy

• By precious
• Posted December 5, 2008 at 10:50 am
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Hi Heather: I had a complete thyroidectomy 22 years ago and I remember feeling very little pain. After the surgery I had to wear a tiny box attached to the surgery site...i guess to protect the stitches /muscles etc. etc. My voice was hoarse for awhile and the thing i remember most is being SOOOOOOOOO tiredddddddddddddd for lack of thyroid hormone which I didnt begin until after my radioactive iodine treatment. My children were young at the time and it was very difficult for me because all i wanted to do was rest or sleep. But I made it and im happy to say that now 22 yrs later im fairly ok. I wish you luck for your surgery and I hope it brings you a positive result. You can email me anytime - I can provide some support for you. Take care,,,

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• By cynthiag117
• Posted December 6, 2008 at 10:32 am
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Heather -- my mother (82 yrs old) had a thyroidectomy 4-mos ago. It was difficult, I believe, because of her age, other health conditions, and size of tumor (over 7cm). My father had a partial thyroidectomy 30 years ago and there was no problem. Mom was a different story. She needed a tracheotomy after the surgery (again, size of turmor caused extra manipulation on surgeon's part of vocal cords which caused paradoxical vocal cords and stridor which caused breathing problems which required trach). It looks like the trach will be able to be removed in another month as her vocal cords are now working normally. (Yeah!) Her thyroid hormone levels are adapting with Synthroid so that is helping fatigue and other symptoms of low thyroid hormone. She had radioactive iodine also, about 2-mos ago. The dose was quite high (285mc) and has damaged the salivary glands. Hopefully, in 6-12 months, more saliva will come back. I must emphasize these difficulties are related to age and size of tumor. Lesson learned: seek treatment early. She (and we) knew she had a swallowing problem for the last 4-5 years but didn't push for a diagnosis. Perhaps with earlier treatment, the side effects she experienced wouldn't have occured.

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• By cynthiag117
• Posted December 8, 2008 at 7:45 am
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Hi heather, I see you are scheduled for surgery 12/10. I be thinking of you.

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• By precious
• Posted December 9, 2008 at 5:00 am
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Hi Heather: How are you doing?

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• By KS_Lose_30
• Posted December 31, 2008 at 11:50 pm
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In December 2002, I had a thyroidectomy. They found two small cancer tumors. I didn't really have any negative side effects. I sleep mostly on my stomach; they told me to stop. Well, within the first few nights, I was able to sleep on my stomach without much pain. I'm not to familiar with Graves Disease, but thanks to your post, I will look it up.
The silver lining is out there! You just need to look at LIFE from the right PLACE.

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• By Carol64
• Posted January 1, 2009 at 11:26 am
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Hi Heather,
I had a complete thyroidectomy in 1992, at the ripe old age of 23. I had a malignant tumor which made the surgery necessary. The doctor also removed the parathyroid glands as they were "affected". The biggest hurdle I face constantly is the ease of putting on weight whereas the weight is difficult to take off. I will look forward to reading about your progress post-op.
May 2009 be a healthier and happier year for you!!
Carol

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• By precious
• Posted January 3, 2009 at 6:02 am
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Hi Heather:
Im just wondering how you are doing now post surgery. Wishing you good health in 2009.

Sandi

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