The THYROID Thread

[mrsklamc]

Yes, there were 4 possible outcomes from the needle biopsy: 1) definite cancer cells, 2: definite NO cancer cells, then 3 and 4 are two different types of cells, follicular and papillary and I was told neither one would show up in a needle biopsy. They just come back as "suspicious" and will only show clearly in a full biopsy.

Now that you say that, I had both follicular and papillary, one they knew ahead of time and the other was in the post surgical biopsy.

I did not comment specifically on surgery or recovery time because mine was known to have spread to my neck and that increased both my surgery and recovery time greatly.

 

[mrsklamc]

Just happened upon this thread & I just thought it was too much of a coincidence to not ask.
On Dec 27, my gyn noticed a slight enlargement of my thyroid during a well visit and ordered a ultrsound of my neck. I was actually surprised by this observation because I have a skinny neck & it is not obvious. The following Friday, 12/30, I went for the ultrasound and this past Tuesday the Dr (actually the nurse)called me with the news that I have a 4mm Thyroid nodule and they want me to see an Endo. Nurse was not helpful with questions, the Dr really should have been the one to call. Regardless I go for the TSH test tomorrow morning & my appointment with the endo is scheduled for 1/23. Anything in particular I should be prepared for at the appointment?

Really surprised by all this. While I am slightly overweight, it's not a surprise since after my son I became lazy in choosing healthier snack options )and exercising. What's even more surprising is I started dieting just a week before the Gyn appointment (during X-mas I know I am crazy) and had lost 5 lbs the first week, 3 lbs the second and 2 lbs for the 3rd week for a total of 10 lbs. A little surprised the weight is coming off as it is, but prior to my son I was healthy and exercised regularly so I attribute this to body memory and cutting out refined sugars. I feel that both my weight gain & loss is explainable. Anyone else have similar experience? Should I be concerned? If they want to do a needle biopsy will it be done in the office or is this a special outpatient procedure? A little scared but also rationalizing this to not.

Thank you in advance.

My thyroid hormones were totally normal even w/ the cancer so your weight loss/gain may be totally normal. Of course, lots of people have nodules without cancer so don't jump to that yet.Statistically, it is unlikely you have cancer.
I also had neck swelling observed during a visit for something else, and my neck swelling was also hard to see. Some medical professionals just have an eye for it.
One thing I've learned on this thread is that treatment experiences vary greatly, but my fine needle biopsy was at a diagnostic center. They just do medical imagining there, but yeah, it's an outpatient procedure.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Apopper - welcome

Its good you are going for the blood test. That is also a good indication of what is going on.

I did lose alot of weight before my diagnosis.

Make sure the endo is someone you like, because they may want to keep an eye on you etc.

If you have to do a biopsy it depends. My endo does them herself. That is one of the reasons why I picked her. But I never have had her do one.

I always go to my ENT surgeon. I had 2 tumors one in the thyroid and one on the L side of my neck, so I got the double whammy biopsy and since they couldnt get enough cells they did it again. Oh what fun!!

The worst part would be if you get a dr. who thinks they dont have enough cells for the sample and then they "shake up" your neck as they call it. Not fun but does not last long thank heavens.

Its not as bad as it seems. They give you a lidocaine numbing shot first.

Glad they are on top of things and covering all their bases with you.

Wishing you all the best.

 

[mrsklamc]

I'd compare the biopsy to the dentist - doesn't hurt cause you are numbed up but just someone poking around is kinda annoying.

 

[karajeboo]

Just happened upon this thread & I just thought it was too much of a coincidence to not ask.
On Dec 27, my gyn noticed a slight enlargement of my thyroid during a well visit and ordered a ultrsound of my neck. I was actually surprised by this observation because I have a skinny neck & it is not obvious. The following Friday, 12/30, I went for the ultrasound and this past Tuesday the Dr (actually the nurse)called me with the news that I have a 4mm Thyroid nodule and they want me to see an Endo. Nurse was not helpful with questions, the Dr really should have been the one to call. Regardless I go for the TSH test tomorrow morning & my appointment with the endo is scheduled for 1/23. Anything in particular I should be prepared for at the appointment?

Really surprised by all this. While I am slightly overweight, it's not a surprise since after my son I became lazy in choosing healthier snack options )and exercising. What's even more surprising is I started dieting just a week before the Gyn appointment (during X-mas I know I am crazy) and had lost 5 lbs the first week, 3 lbs the second and 2 lbs for the 3rd week for a total of 10 lbs. A little surprised the weight is coming off as it is, but prior to my son I was healthy and exercised regularly so I attribute this to body memory and cutting out refined sugars. I feel that both my weight gain & loss is explainable. Anyone else have similar experience? Should I be concerned? If they want to do a needle biopsy will it be done in the office or is this a special outpatient procedure? A little scared but also rationalizing this to not.

Thank you in advance.

Just had the needle biopsy done the week before Christmas so it's fresh in my mind. I was a basket case going into it.... Mine was done with ultrasound in the hospital. I had to wait 2 1/2 hrs because it was the week before Christmas and they were short staffed - I knew this going in but what a pain!

The procedure, from the time the dr walked in until I walked out was no more than 10-15 minutes. They numbed me first - then the teeny tiny needles they used for the biopsy (they did 4 sticks) were barely felt. Dr told me not to swallow, he stuck it in, wiggled it around, and pulled out - probably 10-15 seconds each time. A little pressure but no pain at all. They ran another ultrasound afterwards to make sure there was no bleeding, I got up and walked out. Some doctors will make you wait 30 minutes and then do another ultrasound to check for bleeding, but I was outta there!

This was Dec 23 so I had stuff to do this day and I was fine. A little tenderness and bruising but nothing that a little tylenol couldn't fix....

Good luck!

 

[Apopper74]

Karajeboo, MrsKlamc & LUVMaryPoppins,
Thanks for sharing your experiences & advice. This is was not on my list of things to do, but I guess it is now. At least I am a positve person so I am looking at everything in the positve so I haven't been dwelling too much but it is in my thoughts. All I want at this point is Disney in May.

Thank you again,
Adrienne

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Well I went for the sono today. It was a new tech and she asked me, why are they doing this again so soon? I told her I have a very aggressive variant, columnar cell. She said , o.k. I was going to tell her I asked the dr. and she said it was ok to do it twice a year etc.

They didnt do any more pictures, so I am hoping for the best.

I am going for the blood test on wed. I had to do it earlier.

There are alot of things going on with my family right now and some are not very good. Please say a prayer. Thanks.

 

[Christine]

Well I went for the sono today. It was a new tech and she asked me, why are they doing this again so soon? I told her I have a very aggressive variant, columnar cell. She said , o.k. I was going to tell her I asked the dr. and she said it was ok to do it twice a year etc.

They didnt do any more pictures, so I am hoping for the best.

I am going for the blood test on wed. I had to do it earlier.

There are alot of things going on with my family right now and some are not very good. Please say a prayer. Thanks.

Hope everything get better for you soon.

I had my neck ultrasound on Saturday. The endo hasn't called me with the results yet but the tech did tell me that she didn't see anything abnormal. So I'm feeling okay on that.

My DEXA scan results came back normal so that was good. Between the long term thyroid hormone use, the long term Prilosec use, and a family history of osteopenia I was a tad worried.

Next week it's the gyno and mammogram. YAY. I love getting older.

On that note, getting older does really stink but it's better than the alternative as they say. Everyday, something on me hurts. Be it my knee, my elbow, my neck, my back. Then there's some newly arising issues that I am SURE are due to starting perimenopause. Uuuuggggghhhhhhh....I want my young body back.

 

[kimmie]

I know exactly what you mean Christine! I am 52 and feel...very old. My knees are giving me a lot of trouble right now. Really hard to lose weight.

Wondering what it feels like to be hyper instead of hypo?
i am having some issues again and can't slow myself down! No heart palps though.
Thanks!

 

[mrsklamc]

There are alot of things going on with my family right now and some are not very good. Please say a prayer. Thanks.

You bet.

On that note, getting older does really stink but it's better than the alternative as they say. Everyday, something on me hurts. Be it my knee, my elbow, my neck, my back. Then there's some newly arising issues that I am SURE are due to starting perimenopause. Uuuuggggghhhhhhh....I want my young body back.

Yeah since I was 29 sometimes I wonder what's aging and what's radiation when it comes to my memory flaking out on me.

Wondering what it feels like to be hyper instead of hypo?
i am having some issues again and can't slow myself down! No heart palps though.

It varies...hyper makes me super tired but unable to sleep. Also tend to want to eat often.

 

[kimmie]

It varies...hyper makes me super tired but unable to sleep. Also tend to want to eat often.[/QUOTE]

Thanks. I do not want to call the endo again. She is trying but I am not sure we are on the same page

 

[mrsklamc]

It varies...hyper makes me super tired but unable to sleep. Also tend to want to eat often.

Thanks. I do not want to call the endo again. She is trying but I am not sure we are on the same page[/QUOTE]

That is SO frustrating. My first endo was like that. My new one is such a gift, she became an endo because she had thyroid cancer at 23, so she knows exactly what it's like.

 

[kimmie]

That's what I find frustrating in the "thyroid world". The doctors do not know how much synthroid to give a patient so they "try" different doses until they happen upon the right dose. Why? In the mean time you are either crazy, sleepy, fat, angry....the list goes on. I am amazed at how much the do not know!

Sorry for another rant but I want to be who I was 4 months ago, and I know that is not possible.

 

[mrsklamc]

Rant away; We've all been there.

And, really, that happens even with my doctor who knows what's going on; it just takes time for your hormones to level out to new doses and if that's not right they have to try again, etc. Plus, I'll get leveled out and then thyrogen messes with my levels.

My GUESS is that not as much money goes to thyroid cancer research because it tends to be less lethal than other cancers; but that's just a guess.

 

[kimmie]

Rant away; We've all been there.

And, really, that happens even with my doctor who knows what's going on; it just takes time for your hormones to level out to new doses and if that's not right they have to try again, etc. Plus, I'll get leveled out and then thyrogen messes with my levels.

My GUESS is that not as much money goes to thyroid cancer research because it tends to be less lethal than other cancers; but that's just a guess.

Thanks! I think you are right. Its just a very important gland with hormones that you REALLY need.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Went for the blood test today. My endo appt. is on the 23rd. Now I have the wonderful pelvic sono on Thurs. Then maybe will have to schedule the kidney sono.

kimmie - I can relate too. Its frustrating when you dont feel well and they are trying to adjust the meds. I had 3 adjustments. I think I went from 150 to 200, and 200 was really making me crazy. Now I am at 175. I feel alot less crazy. My endo will not lower it anymore she said until I think I am at the 5 year mark since mine is aggressive etc. So I just have to put up with it. Hang in there. They will find the best level for you. Just keep telling the endo your symptoms etc.

Christine - good your bone scan came out well. I dont know if I have to do them anymore since I am getting the yearly reclast infusion. Hope your drs. visit and testing goes well.

Well with everything going on I dont even know if we will be able to take our May trip. If we do we might have to cancel the bounceback rate and maybe just pay for a rack rate room with frequent flier miles. I have to check out all the financial stuff.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Well I just saw that the 2012 Thyca conference is going to be in Chicago.

Micayla is that really far away from you and maybe Kimmie that might be close to you to go to?

I have never been to Chicago but sometimes dh has gone there on business trips.

We need an Orlando thyca conference!!

 

[mrsklamc]

Chicago is not far - I will have to go look and see when it is.

 

[kimmie]

Well I just saw that the 2012 Thyca conference is going to be in Chicago.

Micayla is that really far away from you and maybe Kimmie that might be close to you to go to?

I have never been to Chicago but sometimes dh has gone there on business trips.

We need an Orlando thyca conference!!

Thanks for the reminder! I am about an hour out of Chicago! I will go and check the dates and stuff
I am very interested in going...anyone want to join me?

Hey if they have one in Orlnado, sign me up for that one! It would be nice to get out of the cold for awhile. The snow is coming down like crazy today!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Anyone see the little article about thyroid stuff that was in the newspaper magazine. Forgot the name, but it was about thyroid stuff, not necessarily cancer.

They did say that not all thyroid goiters are cancerous, yeah right, mine was though.

Oh well, any press is good press to me. I actually saw they expect the newly diagnosed to increase steadily this year (read that somewhere else). Hope they can say one day..more patients and so we need more research etc.

I have not been eating or sleeping well due to the personal family problem. Also between the hot flashes and the other night my heart seemed to be racing too long, usually that does not happen often. I am sure even the endo will think I am a mess next week, we shall see.