Thyroidectomy - Please help.

[NYPDwife]

Anyone here ever had one? My endo is recommending it because my thyroid is hyper and she said the surgery is better than radiation therapy because I have Graves Opthamology and the radiation can damage my eyes.

If you had it, did you have a partial or full? Did they cut your neck and how big is the scar? Did you have any reactions to the surgery (good or bad)?

Did anyone have the new thyroidectomy where they pull they thyroid out from your armpit?

Please help. I'm considering the surgery and I want opinions before I speak to the surgeon.

 

[amid chaos]

I opted out of surgery and radiation to treat the hyperthyroid that goes along with my Graves' disease. It took awhile but i am on 1/24th the normal dose of methimazole and all my blood results are completely normal. My dr is pleasantly surprised that I am able to maintain good health on such a tiny dose and he has successfully done the same with several other patients. I have a great endo who was willing to work with me and give me time to regulate the meds.
It's a tough decision and one that needs to be made with great care. Every ones circumstances are unique when it comes to the thyoid. This was the best option for me.
Educate yourself and ask lots of questions before you decide which option is best for you.

 

[crz4mm2]

I had a partial almost 5 years ago. It was not for hyper, but was for a tumor.

Surgery was not particularly painful (really didn't have much pain at all) but hard to regain control of neck muscles (to raise head up off bed) for a few days.

I didn't know radiation therapy could damage your eyes? Are you seeing an endo? What kind of radiation therapy has been recommended?

I have not heard of taking a thyroid out via the arm pit????? I don't think that can be done.

 

[paintnolish]

My mom had a full done for a tumor. She really said the surgey and recovery wasn't bad at all. They found a bit of cancer and had to return for a radiation treatment on what might have been left of the thyroid. She was "quarantined" to her hospital room for 2 days and had to take some radiation pills. She had no side effects, except for boredom! No visitors, no leaving the room! Good luck!

 

[Christine]

I had two surgeries about 14 years ago for thyroid cancer. My scar is a little worse than most becuase they had to go in twice. It is about 3 inches long, but mostly invisible. Most people I know who have had the one surgery have invisible scars after about 2 years.

I had a very sore throat for about 1 day after surgery and I got better quickly.

The major risk is risk to the parathyroid glands (and that's a doozy if they get removed or damaged) and damage to the nerve that runs to the larynx. I know a guy who a thyroid surgery by one of the top surgeons at Johns Hopkins. They nicked his vagal nerve, I believe, and he has trouble taking deep breaths. It won't ever go away.

Make sure you have a VERY experience thyroid surgeon.

I have also had the radioactive iodine treatment. Not too bad, but I do understand the risks for you.

 

[NYPDwife]

I know every situation is different, so thank you for your answers. I'm looking into the surgery because after 4 years of being off and on tapazole and PTU, my thyroid has become enlarged and lumpy. It's starting to affect my breathing and swallowing at this point. I had a sonogram the other day and thank God, there aren't any masses to be concerned with. I was diagnosed hyper after my mom kept telling me that something was wrong with my eye. I have "staring eye", and it's getting worse. There is a woman in my office that was also diagnosed hyper and her endo gave her radiation and her eyes bulged. I know my health is important, but I do not want my eyes to bulge, besides the fact that the staring eye deeply depresses me enough as it is. My co-worker was never told that the radiation could damage her eyes and now she deals with her eyelids flipping back and all sorts of stuff that I DO NOT want to go through. I'm thinking that the surgery might be my best bet right now. I do not want to continue the tapazole and PTU b/c the weight loss/gain throughout these 4 years has also taken a toll on me. I feel like I would rather have my thyroid taken out and deal with the Synthroid (sp?).

I also deal with a lot of palpitations and the endo said that being hyper is aging my organs (especially my heart) and I want to be healthy for my kids.

I did read something about the thyroid being taken out from your armpit and I was hoping someone here had it done b/c I'm interested in the procedure. I'm looking at Dr. Moses Nussbaum from Beth Israel in NYC to do it, but I need to research him a bit more.

Here's a link for the armpit surgery...http://www.scienceblog.com/cms/node/3498

Let me know what you think.

 

[tikilyn]

I just had a Total Thyroidectomy on October 6th for Grave's disease. My Endo really pushed hard for the RAI treatment even though he said I was showing signs of Grave's eye disease ! I refuse and demanded surgery. So he gave me a list of Surgeons to choose from. I chose an ENT (figure he would be a good choice). The surgery was a breeze for me. My scar is less then 2 inches long at the bottom of my neck in a crease (the ENT said my Thyroid was huge, like having a tennis ball on each side of my neck). I had no neck pain at all.

In fact my surgery was done at 6pm by breakfast time (the next day) I wanted to eat some real food (of course the hospital gave me broth yuck). By Lunch time I sent hubby out for a cheeseburger and curly fries from Jack N the box! LOL I had no problem eating all of it either. My Endo shows up while I'm chowing down on lunch and asked the nurse if he had authorized solid foods for me yet. I just laughed and he asked how did my neck feel while swallowing the food. I told him I felt fine and he laughed again and ok the food (like I was going to give it up).

I was home by 5pm on the 7th. I spent less than 24 hrs in the hospital.

The only problem I had and still having are muscle cramps and I mean bad cramps. I've talked to the doctor about them and he doesn't know whats causing them. My calcium leaves are normal so he doesn't think thats what causing them. I am taking an over the counter calcium supplement and the cramps are slowing easing up. I dont want to scare ya or anything but those cramps are paralysing, stop me in my tracks painful. They feel like a charlie horse but 100 times worse. Right after surgery I would get them 5 or 6 times a day but now I'm down to 1 or 2 times a day and they are much less painful.

Also be prepared for your period. The day after the surgery I got mine and it was freakishly heavy. So take some pads with you to the hospital just in case!

If you have any questions feel free to pm me! Good luck making your decision.

 

[NYPDwife]

The only problem I had and still having are muscle cramps and I mean bad cramps. I've talked to the doctor about them and he doesn't know whats causing them. My calcium leaves are normal so he doesn't think thats what causing them. I am taking an over the counter calcium supplement and the cramps are slowing easing up. I dont want to scare ya or anything but those cramps are paralysing, stop me in my tracks painful. They feel like a charlie horse but 100 times worse. Right after surgery I would get them 5 or 6 times a day but now I'm down to 1 or 2 times a day and they are much less painful.

What! I get those now!! When I'm in my car, if I turn to see who's behind me, I get a charlie horse on the side of my neck. There are times when I have to ask DD to look behind or to the side of me when it happens! Thanks! I'll mention that to the endo!!

 

[LuvOrlando]

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[JessicaR]

I am a Graves patient. I had a Total Thyroidectomy in 2007 and I'm in NY too. Have a look at this, http://www.medicalconsumers.org/Performance_Reports_2002/NY/Thyroidectomy2002_NY/page4.html

and this,
http://www.castleconnolly.com/doctors/index.cfm?source=ccm

and this,
Maisie Shindo, M.D. — Otolaryngology - New York Best Doctors (This is who did my surgery)
http://nymag.com/bestdoctors/

I had surgery three years after being diagnosed and on Tapazole. I started getting thyroiditis often and had a perpetual sore throat. After unrelated surgery I became symptomatic and ended up in the hospital with Thyroid Storm. I was not a candidate nor did I want RAI so surgery was scheduled.

It was the best thing I ever did with a quick and easy recovery. My scar is undetectable! I attribute my excellent results to the care and expertise of my surgeon and I have highly recommended her since. Have a look and see! I know others have had different scenarios but for me it was the best thing I could have done.

I had a drain after the procedure and spent one night in the hospital. I had a sore throat for a couple of days. The neck wrap was the most uncomfortable part.

Make sure you fully research your surgeon. This is a very important surgery to have the very best most qualified surgeon that has MANY total thyroidectomies under their belt. The link above will tell you how many each surgeon has performed and what hospital they are affiliated with.

I wish you the best! Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[crz4mm2]

I did read something about the thyroid being taken out from your armpit and I was hoping someone here had it done b/c I'm interested in the procedure. I'm looking at Dr. Moses Nussbaum from Beth Israel in NYC to do it, but I need to research him a bit more.

Here's a link for the armpit surgery...http://www.scienceblog.com/cms/node/3498

Let me know what you think.

Ok. that article is on PIGS. it has not been done on humans yet......
I didn't think I had heard of it.

Seems a GREAT distance for a diseased thyroid to me. Especially with the complexity of nerves and the parathyroids to get around

 

[JessicaR]

Thyroid Surgery and Thyroidectomy

A newer technique, known as endoscopic thyroid surgery, involves using a small magnifying camera inserted in the neck. Carbon dioxide gas is pumped into the neck area to help make it easier to see and work on the gland. A second small incision is made, and a thin tube with a scalpel-like edge is inserted through that incision. This tube is the surgical tool that is used to remove the thyroid. Endoscopic surgery, because it involves two small scars of less than one inch, usually leaves less visible scarring, and allows a quicker return to normal activity. Sometimes, the entry point is under the arm -- known as axillary surgery.

http://thyroid.about.com/od/thyroiddrugstreatments/a/thyroidsurgery_2.htm

This was new to me! Interesting though.

 

[crz4mm2]

Thyroid Surgery and Thyroidectomy

A newer technique, known as endoscopic thyroid surgery, involves using a small magnifying camera inserted in the neck. Carbon dioxide gas is pumped into the neck area to help make it easier to see and work on the gland. A second small incision is made, and a thin tube with a scalpel-like edge is inserted through that incision. This tube is the surgical tool that is used to remove the thyroid. Endoscopic surgery, because it involves two small scars of less than one inch, usually leaves less visible scarring, and allows a quicker return to normal activity. Sometimes, the entry point is under the arm -- known as axillary surgery.

http://thyroid.about.com/od/thyroiddrugstreatments/a/thyroidsurgery_2.htm

This was new to me! Interesting though.

I followed your link. It does say it is being done for Partial thyroidectomies in India. I am amazed.... I would not think the exposure would be good enough, but I guess with microsurgery, perhaps it is... wow.

 

[NYPDwife]

I called my endo today to have her give all of my info to the surgeon I'm thinking about. While I would love to go with the best surgeon in NY, I'm limited to my insurance because I don't have the money to pay out of network. HIP usually does have good docs so I think I'm going to fair very well with the one I'm looking into.

Ha! I just found something interesting on Dr. Nussbaum. Apparently, he performed an emergency tracheostomy on Louis Armstrong in 1969.

http://books.google.com/books?id=6u...book_result&resnum=10&ct=result#PRA1-PA328,M1

 

[NYPDwife]

and here is some more of his info...

http://www.docnet.org/physicians/phys_bios.aspx?phys_id=877

 

[goofy's friends]

I had a partial due to a tumor 6 years ago. With regular blood tests, I have never needed any other treatment. The other 1/2 of the thyroid does take over for the part that is missing. My scar is only detectable if I point it out to someone. It's in the crease and is about 3 inches long.

 

[claudia]

and this,
Maisie Shindo, M.D. — Otolaryngology - New York Best Doctors (This is who did my surgery)
http://nymag.com/bestdoctors/



.

Small world Jessica, Dr. Shindo did my surgery as well and your are right, she is an amazing doctor. Mine was about 5 years ago, but due to cancer, but no one ever notices the scar. I recovered very quickly and never had any problems, she did a brilliant job. So, OP, if you haven't made up your mind you about your doctor definitely consider Dr. Shindo. She's at Stony Brook University Hospital.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

My thyroid was removed due to disease and nodules from Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. The surgeon was hoping to remove just one side, but had to take the whole thyroid. I have a 4-5 inch scar that has faded with time. The recovery was rough for me and I was very upset that no one told me I would have a drain in my neck for a few days after the surgery. The scar where they took out the drain is worse than the other one though! My calcium and vitamin D dropped severly after the surgery even though my parathyroid was not damaged. I ended up taking 24 pills in the beginning and working my way down gradually as the readings came back up. My thyroid levels were very easy to control afterwards and I haven't had a change in levels since around the 6 month after period.

**my cycle is noticiable worse now, but i am blaming peri-menopause.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I am a Graves patient. I had a Total Thyroidectomy in 2007 and I'm in NY too. Have a look at this, http://www.medicalconsumers.org/Performance_Reports_2002/NY/Thyroidectomy2002_NY/page4.html

and this,
http://www.castleconnolly.com/doctors/index.cfm?source=ccm

and this,
Maisie Shindo, M.D. — Otolaryngology - New York Best Doctors (This is who did my surgery)
http://nymag.com/bestdoctors/

I had surgery three years after being diagnosed and on Tapazole. I started getting thyroiditis often and had a perpetual sore throat. After unrelated surgery I became symptomatic and ended up in the hospital with Thyroid

Storm. I was not a candidate nor did I want RAI so surgery was scheduled.

It was the best thing I ever did with a quick and easy recovery. My scar is undetectable! I attribute my excellent results to the care and expertise of my surgeon and I have highly recommended her since. Have a look and see! I know others have had different scenarios but for me it was the best thing I could have done.

I had a drain after the procedure and spent one night in the hospital. I had a sore throat for a couple of days. The neck wrap was the most uncomfortable part.

Make sure you fully research your surgeon. This is a very important surgery to have the very best most qualified surgeon that has MANY total thyroidectomies under their belt. The link above will tell you how many each surgeon has performed and what hospital they are affiliated with.

I wish you the best! Let me know if you have any questions.

Thaniks for the info on this dr. I am seeing a cardiothoracic surgeon at Stony Brook on wed. This is for my chest mass and I dont know if she can do anything about the lump in my neck which is at the top of the thyroid they said. Also my ds needs so major sinus and septum work done. He has a polyp right now they are trying to shrink, but I will definetely consider this dr. Dr. regular allergist is associated with stony brook so maybe he can contact Dr. Shindo if we have to, he is just a regular allergist and not a surgeon and he has already recommended surgery for ds. He is 19 so it sounds like this will be a good possible dr. for him.

To the OP - best of luck.

 

[JessicaR]

Small world Jessica, Dr. Shindo did my surgery as well and your are right, she is an amazing doctor. Mine was about 5 years ago, but due to cancer, but no one ever notices the scar. I recovered very quickly and never had any problems, she did a brilliant job. So, OP, if you haven't made up your mind you about your doctor definitely consider Dr. Shindo. She's at Stony Brook University Hospital.

Claudia, it is a small world! Happy to see others that are happy with their outcome.

Thaniks for the info on this dr. I am seeing a cardiothoracic surgeon at Stony Brook on wed. This is for my chest mass and I dont know if she can do anything about the lump in my neck which is at the top of the thyroid they said. Also my ds needs so major sinus and septum work done. He has a polyp right now they are trying to shrink, but I will definetely consider this dr. Dr. regular allergist is associated with stony brook so maybe he can contact Dr. Shindo if we have to, he is just a regular allergist and not a surgeon and he has already recommended surgery for ds. He is 19 so it sounds like this will be a good possible dr. for him.

To the OP - best of luck.

By any chance is the allergist Dr Daniel Mayer? Are you seeing Dr.McLarty? Stony Brook is terrific and I put great faith in many of their fine Doctors. I hope your consult goes well and I will be thinking positive thoughts and wishing you the very best! If for some reason you or your son do end up seeing Dr Shindo, PM me my friend works in the office. I had sinus polyp surgery 20 years ago with a different doctor, and the procedure has come a long way but my results were positive and I rarely have problems anymore.