Still experiening severe tightness in neck after thyroid surgery

[Pie Face]

Follow up from previous question 1 posted months ago.  Now 1 year later and still having extreme tightness in neck above the scar area which is red and raised.  Have been to every specialty Dr. available with no relief.  Can anyone help  or have any idea what has happened to me? I have also been to pain management without any relief.  Currently taking neurotin which does not help.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

This should be addressed by the surgeon - scar revision may be necessary.

[Lake Lover]

Pie Face,

I remember you and am so sorry you are stil having issues.

As odd as it might seem, I wonder if they "left something"?  Maybe go for a surgical consult with a different surgeon and see if they will go back in and cut out the scar and start over?

I heard a horror story a few weeks back that a woman who had a c section and severe bleeding and cramping afterward had a hysteroctomy years later only to find that a sponge had been left behind.

Since it sounds like you have exhausted your options maybe try this?

I really do feel for you.

[Kim4142]

I had my thyroid removed when I was 12 years old (16 yrs ago).
I remember the scar still bothering me after a year. I had one raised area at the end of the cut but because a stitch had pop out from me turning me neck abt a week or two after surgery.  The scar still looked ugly one year later and still had that one raised area.  I remember a feeling as if it felt like there was glass in there, even a year later.  I wouldn't have described it as extreme like you did.  So, this may be normal.  Now, you can't even hardly notice the scar and there is no longer that raised area. But, it a few years to get to that point.  Good Luck

[Pie Face]

Thanks Lake Lover and Kim 4142 for your comments.  I also saw a Plastic Surgeon who did not feel a scar revision was indicated.  All my referrals were by by Primary Surgeon to the 11 speciality Dr's that I have seen.  I was referred to another Pain Dr. who I'm going to see this week and then to Physical Therapy on the neck then back to the Laryngologist who is going to do a nerve study since my neck was too sore to do this procedure during my last visit.

I really believe that muscles and skin in my neck was sown too tight, but no Dr. will own up to it and my neck is the same 1 year later.  They only say that what I'm experiencing is not normal.

[Jean Watson]

The mass on my left thyroid is large now, and fluid is covering the whole left side.  The mass is not visible, but it feels like I have a sore throat all the time and is irritated when I swallow.  

The doctor is sending me for a FNA because the thyroid ultrasound showed the mass to be large.  He wants to see if it is cancer. The doctor said the mass would have to be removed anyway. But, the FNA would relieve the pressure and would let him know if the mass is cancer.  A Thyroid Scan was scheduled with the ultrasound, but was delayed due to a storm, where they ordered a bill, to be taken a day before the scan. The Thyroid scan is still scheduled for Friday.

I worry about having a needle put in my Thyroid since the nodule is not visible.  My question is: The mass has to be moved anyway. Is it necessary to have the Thyroid Scan and the FNA.

I appreciate any thought on this.

[Jean Watson]

I want you to know everything went good today.  The doctor was real nice, she said she has been doing FNA'S for 16yrs.  She would not do mind today, because she needed the Ultrasound ordered to guide the needle.  I just wanted you to know, I feel much better about having the FNA.

[Pie Face]

So good to hear that you are doing ok.  Actually the FNA is not that bad when you have a good pathologist doing it.
Please keep us posted.

[Pie Face]

The plastic surgeon that I saw, felt that the scar revision was not indicated.  The Head and Neck Dr. says he has not seen anything like my situation.  No one will come out and say it but I believe my neck was sown too tight and nothing is going to help.  I'm going to physical therapy now without any relief.  The pain management injections have done very little also.  At this point I would be afraid to have anyone open my neck up again unless I could be assured that the tightness would not exist and that I would not have other problems.