Thyroid surgery and lung problems

[lilstint]

My daughter had thyroid surgery about a month ago and has been having a constant tickle in her throat and lung discomfort ever since. She discussed this with her surgeon and all he said was "take benadryl".

Has anyone had experience with this after thyroid surgery? I've been told that it could be irritation due to intubation during the surgery but, if that is the case, shouldn't it be getting better by now? We are really getting worried.

 

[Christine]

I have had thyroid surgery (twice) and I didn't have this problem immediately after surgery.

It could be many things. Intubation, indeed, can cause a big problem. Some people can actually get scar tissue from the tube.

She could also be forming scar tissue in her neck from the thyroid surgery that is now pressing on other structures in her neck. With time, that could go away.

Another thing to consider is that when they do pass the tube down your throat they irriate all the structures in that area--vocal chords, bronchial area, etc. Couple that with naturally occur post nasal drip from seasonal allergies and "that" area can't handle it as well.

I am going through something similar. We aren't 100% sure, but back in April my doctor and I suspect that I contracted Whooping Cough (no one suspected it at the time, but now that the cough went on for 3 months, they do--plus the massive increase in cases of it here gives them a bit of a clue??). Anyway, even though my cough (5 months later) is gone, any little bit of post nasal drip gets my throat tickling and gets me choking. Now, I've always had some post nasal drip but I never really noticed it nor did it bother me enough to take anything. Now, I clear my throat all the time. I am told that whooping cough strips the bronchial area and you're "not the same" for quite some time. I think this can go on with the breathing tube issue after surgery. It maybe just made her vulnerable in that area and now she is sensitive to any mucous.

I will say that about 9 months after my thyroid surgery, I felt like I had that "lump in the throat" feeling when I swallowed but on the left side of my throat. I ended up going to an ENT who check out my vocal chords and stuff (I was scared I was having a cancer regrowth). Everything was fine and he said the sensation was probably due to mucous or GERD.

I don't know if my ramblings help! Just trying to give you some ideas on what it could be. If it doesn't disappear in a few more weeks, really, the best person to consult is an ENT who can take a look at those structures right in their office.

 

[lilstint]

Thanks for the reply.
I am also concerned that she may have contracted something in the hospital. Her room was right next to an "infectious" room. The guy coughed violently all night long and nurses had to wear special equipment (masks, rubbergloves, gown etc.) every time they went in there. It would drive me absolutely crazy when they would walk into my daughters room without even taking this "protective gear" off. I asked to have her moved but was told that no other rooms were available.
Shouldn't they have taken that stuff off before entering her room? I mean the patients should be protected as well as the nurses I would think.

 

[Christine]

Thanks for the reply.
I am also concerned that she may have contracted something in the hospital. Her room was right next to an "infectious" room. The guy coughed violently all night long and nurses had to wear special equipment (masks, rubbergloves, gown etc.) every time they went in there. It would drive me absolutely crazy when they would walk into my daughters room without even taking this "protective gear" off. I asked to have her moved but was told that no other rooms were available.
Shouldn't they have taken that stuff off before entering her room? I mean the patients should be protected as well as the nurses I would think.

Yes, that would have bothered me too. What other lung symptoms is she having?

 

[lilstint]

She mostly complains about this constant tickle in her throat and generalized discomfort in her chest especially when trying to take a deep breath.

I really thought she would feel better after the thyroid thing was taken care of but she feels worse than ever. The nodule came back benign and she's still worried about lung cancer. She's only 29 and has never smoked a cigarette in her life.

 

[Christine]

She mostly complains about this constant tickle in her throat and generalized discomfort in her chest especially when trying to take a deep breath.

I really thought she would feel better after the thyroid thing was taken care of but she feels worse than ever. The nodule came back benign and she's still worried about lung cancer. She's only 29 and has never smoked a cigarette in her life.

I would say that it really sounds like a bronchial and vocal chord irritation. But, I understand being worried sick with fear and waiting it out isn't easy.

I would probably visit your General Practitioner about this. He could give her some allergy meds to try to reduce anything causing the tickle (I know she doesn't believe this is it). The nasal sprays do really help with my situation. You could also do a course of antibiotics. If neither of them shows any improvement, I would see an ENT.

You say that it is a lung issue, but it really sounds more like the very upper respiratory area and throat area.

 

[lilstint]

After alot of prodding on my part she's made an appt. with her GP. He's seeing her today. I know she's going to flip out if he orders a chest xray. She's very cancer phobic since two of her friend's mothers (who also had never smoked) died of lung cancer last year. I keep trying to tell her that it would be very coincidental that these problems are not related to her recent surgery but she's been through alot and is not real rational right now.

Thanks so much for adding a little rational thinking to this subject. We needed it.