Throat clearing chest congestion after thyroidectomy

[Luv_BostonTerriers]

I am not sure how to categorize this. Just a month ago, I had a total thyroidectomy because of multinodular goiter. Two days before the surgery, I came down with a viral type thing -- started with stomach, and the day of surgery, had progressed into my lungs with a tight cough. There was no fever. After the surgery, I expected to have more symptoms from this viral thing, and I indeed did. I never knew a person could produce so much mucous. I did not dare cough because of the incision, but somehow managed, mostly by throat clearing, which has continued with little abatement. My upper chest also continues to hurt. In addition, I feel yucky, but lord knows whether that's from the virus or the hormones which have a ways to go before they get squared away.

I am a 53 year old woman, I run 3 - 5 miles every day, watch what I eat, and am generally healthy. Several years ago I was diagnosed with asthma, but I truthfully never was compromised by it, and rarely use my inhalers.

So, I guess my question is, what could this congestion be caused by (the thyroidectomy?) and what should I do about it.

Thanks, everyone.

[Luv_BostonTerriers]

Thanks for your answer which was most helpful, indeed. Saw my primary the other day and suffice it to say, I am on the prowl for a new one. She feels it is allergy/asthma and said to take over-the-counter meds, use the inhalers, and drink hot tea. I also have a call into the surgeon who has been awesome and is working with me to get the synthroid dose correct. My current question is perhaps it is a bit off and affecting my immune system?

I still feel lousy, look worse, though there has been a slight improvement in that I don't feel like I am quite composed of lead as I did earlier in the week.

Also, throughout this, as difficult as it's been, I continue to run, albeit at reduced speed, times, and distance.

[National Jewish Health]

You state, "...and the day of surgery, had progressed into my lungs with a tight cough.”  So it sounds like you already had the "tight cough" prior to surgery.  If so, it was unrelated to the surgery and might have been a reason to postpone the surgery.  If I am mistaken and you actually developed the cough post operatively, on the very day of surgery, then there could be a relationship, not with the thyroid removal, but related to the anesthesia, presumably with intubation.  And it could bear a relationship to your underlying asthma, in this case aggravated either by the viral infection or by the intubation.

But that is all past.  The persistence of symptoms for a month is of concern.  It could be asthma or bronchitis, or even pneumonia.  You should be examined for abnormal sounds in the lungs and should also have an x-ray.  Should you have wheezing, a sign of asthma or bronchitis, you might well get good relief of your symptoms with the use of asthma medicine.

Per your description, you are a very healthy, athletic woman.  You and your doctor should get to the bottom of this so that you can enjoy a normal life, including running.

Good luck.