Newbie here -just had surgery

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-24-2000
Newbie here -just had surgery
20
Sun, 08-27-2006 - 12:39pm

Hi Everyone, I just found this board- good timing, as I just a total thyroidectomy, on Aug 22. Throat is really sore- but getting better, & can't turn neck much in any direction! urgh!

I was wondering if anybody that has had this surgery, was your sternum bone really sore, mine is killing me! Plus the calcium is doing a number on my belly (have IBS).

Will answer any questions anyone has - if you have any. At this point right now I am too tired to type all the things that led up to this surgery.

Any input would be appreciated- good to know that I am not alone !

Thanks, Bunny

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Avatar for cl_calley7
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Sun, 08-27-2006 - 6:19pm

Hi Bunny,


That is good timing and welcome to our board.


Take your time and rest and come back when you're feeling up to it.

 

Calley7

Avatar for daggs170
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Registered: 03-25-2003
Sun, 08-27-2006 - 7:24pm

Bunny, welcome to the board, and sorry you had to go through a TT to find your way here.
However, I find your symptoms quite different. I wouldn't have the slightest idea why your sternum is hurting, but please be sure to mention it to the dr. when you go back for your check-up, which you will probably be having in a few days time. Was wondering if you had a tumor and it was bigger than they thought and possibly involved the sternum or was near the sternum. The only thing I can refer to is that my tumor had wrapped itself around a "strap" to my shoulder blade, and the dr. had to cut it out and it took a whole year before I found out why it bothered me so much and hurt--I guess my dr. didn't think it necessary to tell me. Once I found out what it was, I was more at ease with it and it has eventually disappeared as a symptom of any sort.

Are you sure it's the calcium doing a number on your stomach because of the IBS. Maybe the two problems don't react together too well; I've never had this problem but do have another--the fact that my parathyroids were also wrapped with the tumor and I ended up with two parathyroids coming out when I had my TT. I had this done 10 years ago, and what was a problem then is now resolved for quite a few years--the endo had to try different things, do many different tests, etc., and the treatment I had helped tremendously and just knowing his explanation has helped a lot.

I strongly encourage you to write down these two problems as questions for your dr., and any others that you may think of. Just getting any kind of surgery can upset the system tremendously, but usually after 2 weeks you will notice a difference in how you will be feeling and you will also notice that you will be able to turn your neck better.

Am anxious to hear how things are going with you and hope that you will keep us informed. Many have different symptoms and one of the readers may be able to give you a more solid answer. My prayers are with you, hugs, Bea

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-24-2000
Mon, 08-28-2006 - 5:53am

Hi Bea & Calley, Thanks for the welcome- it is nice to know that you are not alone with these problems. As I think back, I had my rotator cuff repaired 2 years ago (that was nasty) & my belly acted up then too, perhaps it is the residue of the drugs & anesthesia. I can't take any pain meds- even advil get my gut in a roar! It is so annoying.

As for the sternum thing- I still can't figure it out. But I will mention it to the surgeon when I go back on Sept 6th. I have been reading up on the dangers of low calciun levels after a TT,I was scared when I read you can have seizures, if the levels go too low. But it does seem to be more so if you had the para thyroids removed also, as you partially did! Bea, did you have any problems- in that area? I know I research too much & drive myself crazy ! But I feel that it is better to educate yourself than be in the dark & ignorant about what is going on in your own body !

Bea, I just noticed in your profile, that you are from MA too, I am from south of Boston. I had my surgery at Mass General- do you know where that is? If you are from the western part of the state perhaps you would'nt know about the Boston hospitals--we have the best hospitals in the world right here- in my estimatation!

Well, I rambled on long enough- talk again soon, hopefully!
Bunny from Beantown

P.S. Calley, if I am not mistaken- were you once a cl on the asthma board- years ago? I seem to remember you there for a short time!

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Avatar for daggs170
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Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 08-28-2006 - 9:14am

OMG Bunny, I am from south of Boston also--only about 30 minutes from Boston during the winter, and about an hour's drive from Boston in the summer because we go to a different residence. I had my 2nd surgery in the Deaconess, before it merged with the Beth Israel, which is now known as the BIDeaconess, so yes, I am familiar with the hospitals in Boston.

If your levels go too low, yes, you can have "seizures" but usually they watch you very carefully on that. I have to take 1500 mg of calcium daily to compensate for the loss of the parathyroids that had to be removed. I've been doing this for 10 years, have been tested quite often in the beginning and now down to once a year unless a problem arises, and it seems to be filling the bill.

I'm glad to hear you say that we have the best hospitals right here, as I also believe that. They seem to be up on the latest and also are teaching all the time, and I know that my "endo" is sending me periodically for testing to make sure things are alright. I know that you won't have the same dr. as I do because you are affiliated with a different hospital, but I think my endo is just the best, and he is chief of endocrinology at the Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates. He wrote a book "Overcoming Thyroid Problems" which I just picked up after my last yearly visit with him, had to order it at Borders as I guess they only keep so many on hand, but it is a nice book to refer to.

How interesting that we are "almost" neighbors. I don't know if you had the TT due to ca, as you said you would mention that later, but that is the reason why I had mine. IF that is the case, you may be due for extra tests and treatments also. Here on the ca part of the thyroid board, we have learned to take it one day at a time--improvement is day by day, sometimes unnoticeable, but it does change and eventually you will hopefully be over all these aggravating symptoms.

Interesting to hear of "your south of Boston" residence, and it just goes to show what a small world it is. I wish you the very best, and keep in touch. Hugs, Bea

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Registered: 05-19-2004
Mon, 08-28-2006 - 9:27am

Hi bunny!


iVillage Member
Registered: 08-13-2006
Mon, 08-28-2006 - 8:37pm

Hi Bunny!

Welcome! This message board has been a great source of comfort and info. I am sure it will be helpful as you recover. It is nice to be able to talk to people who understand.

I go in for my surgery this Weds. (Aug. 31st). At this point it is a partial and I am praying that we stick with that diagnosis!! I had a ultrasound/needle biopsy on Aug. 1st and it came back with folliculat cells, which are usually associated with goiters, but can be cancerous. I really hadn't expected that! Hence, the surgery!

Needless to say, I am scared, worried and trying to put up a good front! I have two children, ages 13 and 16 and am a single parent. Last thing I want is for them to be more terrified!

I hope you are feeling much better and everything is turning out fine. Please feel free to write and I will respond as soon as I can!

Take care!

Julie

Avatar for cl_calley7
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Mon, 08-28-2006 - 8:46pm

Yes, I was a CL on the Allergies/Asthma board and chat for a while.


It's neat that you and Bea are in the same area.

 

Calley7

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-24-2000
Tue, 08-29-2006 - 6:35am

Julie, thanks for the good wishes!

Now it is my turn to wish you well, I'm sure everything will be fine. We have to take it a day at a time! Just take it easy when you come home- let you children wait on you for a change !

Is your surgery early in the am? I found that it was easier to get there at 6:00 am & get it done & over with. I will keep you in my thoughts & prayers. Keep a positive attitude!

Hugs, Bunny

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-24-2000
Tue, 08-29-2006 - 6:42am

Hi neighbor !! lol

We are about 30 min from Boston also! I bet we live almost in the same area. I am guessing that you summer on the Cape- if it takes you an hour in the summer??!!

Perhaps, I should look into getting that book on overcoming Thyroid problems- could you tell me the authors name? I don't understand people that don't want to hike into Boston for medical care- HELLO, the best care in the world, is at our fingertips!

Well, hope to talk again. Had a bad day yesterday- read post above- thank god I am feeling better today- so far!

Take care, Bunny

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Avatar for daggs170
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Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 08-29-2006 - 10:19am

The name of the author is Jeffrey R. Garber, MD. He is my endo and also Chief of Endocrinology, Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates.

Yes, I agree, we do have the best of care in Boston, and I had to learn that the hard way, but at least I learned. I had my 1st surgery at a local hospital by chief of surgery at his insistance, which was good in a way because he discovered what my problem was which didn't show up in the tests previous to the surgery.

Glad that your feeling a little better today. As have said to others, this is where we learn patience. When do you have to go back to Boston? Bea

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