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Total Thyoidectomy for Substernal Goiter
My TT for substernal goiter is quickly approaching (next Tues, May 16th) and would appreciate any information from those who have gone through this surgery re length of surgery, pain, recuperation period, and any other general information to calm my "frazzled" nerves !!!
Thanks so much!
Thanks so much!
Happy Mother's Day ladies (one of you must have kids?) =)
I know when I started the Levoxyl (same as Synthroid I do believe) that it took a while to get into my system. I was so tired all the time. I can only imagine what your head/neck go through during that surgery as it is...then to be prone to headaches anyway...well it can't be easy. When is he testing your blood again? I'm not sure how fast you go hypothyroid once your thyroid's removed, I doubt it's very long before it happens though. Hopefully it won't take them long to level your thyroid hormones out.
Well, I think I'll be all ready by Wednesday, got the house cleaned from top to bottom, did a big shopping and now I just have to finish up the laundry and find some button up shirts to wear. I just know t-shirts touching my neck will drive me nuts judging from my last surgery. It was on my stomach and I couldn't take anything touching it. So, I feel a lot more ready now. How bout you Carole? Did you get all your last minute things done? It'll be nice to recover with no worries.
I don't think I'll try and hide my scar! I did think about that...but...since I don't like things touching my scars (at least not for a while) and since I don't really feel self conscious about scars (I kinda like them) I doubt I'll hide it. That could change though. Where on your neck is the scar? He said he would follow a natural line I have...but I have two and I forgot which one he was going to follow. I've read Mederma cream helps with the scars. I guess I'll have to see how bad it looks in time. I just can't wait to HAVE a scar because that'll mean it's over! =)
I hope you guys had a great weekend...it's pouring here on Cape Cod and the rest of the state is under a state of emergency due to flooding! I do hope you all are enjoying better weather.
It's getting close Carole...eeek. How's your nerves?
(I hope they don't close this thread so we can keep chatting, I don't know how many posts one thread is allowed but I know there's a limit. I've seen them full/closed on the Ovarian Cancer site and they've had to start a new one...but here it's a doctor answering questions so we can't start a new thread I don't think? It's been soooo helpful talking with the two of you who've been through this and with you too Carole because we are in the same boat) Have a good night! Tia
I know when I started the Levoxyl (same as Synthroid I do believe) that it took a while to get into my system. I was so tired all the time. I can only imagine what your head/neck go through during that surgery as it is...then to be prone to headaches anyway...well it can't be easy. When is he testing your blood again? I'm not sure how fast you go hypothyroid once your thyroid's removed, I doubt it's very long before it happens though. Hopefully it won't take them long to level your thyroid hormones out.
Well, I think I'll be all ready by Wednesday, got the house cleaned from top to bottom, did a big shopping and now I just have to finish up the laundry and find some button up shirts to wear. I just know t-shirts touching my neck will drive me nuts judging from my last surgery. It was on my stomach and I couldn't take anything touching it. So, I feel a lot more ready now. How bout you Carole? Did you get all your last minute things done? It'll be nice to recover with no worries.
I don't think I'll try and hide my scar! I did think about that...but...since I don't like things touching my scars (at least not for a while) and since I don't really feel self conscious about scars (I kinda like them) I doubt I'll hide it. That could change though. Where on your neck is the scar? He said he would follow a natural line I have...but I have two and I forgot which one he was going to follow. I've read Mederma cream helps with the scars. I guess I'll have to see how bad it looks in time. I just can't wait to HAVE a scar because that'll mean it's over! =)
I hope you guys had a great weekend...it's pouring here on Cape Cod and the rest of the state is under a state of emergency due to flooding! I do hope you all are enjoying better weather.
It's getting close Carole...eeek. How's your nerves?
(I hope they don't close this thread so we can keep chatting, I don't know how many posts one thread is allowed but I know there's a limit. I've seen them full/closed on the Ovarian Cancer site and they've had to start a new one...but here it's a doctor answering questions so we can't start a new thread I don't think? It's been soooo helpful talking with the two of you who've been through this and with you too Carole because we are in the same boat) Have a good night! Tia
Sorry Maccie that your energy level is still very low. Are you overdoing it and not resting enough? Have you tried taking any vitamins to help?
I had a friend who was very prone to migraines and when the weather was rainy/humid she would get a bad headache. There were also some foods that would trigger her migraines such as chocolate. I'm sure it didn't help that your neck was extended during the surgery - That would bother anyone.
I know when the weather here in Florida is rainy and very humid I get very bad sinus headaches which sometimes can feel like a migraine.
Karmike - Sorry to hear that your brother-in-law lost his job. That must be very tough for both your sister and him.
Bananie 22,Karmike & Maccie - Hope you all had a good weekend.
I had a friend who was very prone to migraines and when the weather was rainy/humid she would get a bad headache. There were also some foods that would trigger her migraines such as chocolate. I'm sure it didn't help that your neck was extended during the surgery - That would bother anyone.
I know when the weather here in Florida is rainy and very humid I get very bad sinus headaches which sometimes can feel like a migraine.
Karmike - Sorry to hear that your brother-in-law lost his job. That must be very tough for both your sister and him.
Bananie 22,Karmike & Maccie - Hope you all had a good weekend.
Hey - I'm sorry you don't feel good today! Don't ever worry about being complainey - that's what where here for! I feel bad, my sister called to wish me Hapy Mother's Day and see how I was and I told her about my headache and was talking about me and then she told me that my brother-in-law lost his job Friday - then she got off the phone quick b/c she had things to do. I feel bad that I was talking about me when she has her own problems to deal with!
Did you have disc problems too, is that why you had cervical fusion? Maybe your right that our necks did get set off from the surgery, also lying around doesn't help either. I know when I was feeling good, I went from sleeping with 2 pillows to 1, and was waking up feeling better. I haven't slept with less than 2 pillows since the surgery. I took imitrex today, and am feeling better. I'm hoping that if I can get rid of the headache before I go to bed than I won't wake up with it. I'm sure you know exactly what I mean! It's terrible how expensive medication is! Isn't there anything that will get rid of your headache for more than an hour? Can you have traction on your neck (after your incision heals?) When I started with traction at the chiropractor, my headaches slowly started going away. My surgeon told me to wait 2 more weeks before I can start that again with the chiro, but he said I can have my back adjusted any time. I'm going to go tomorrow for an adjustment on the back and ask if there's anything he can do for my neck without upsetting the incision. I'd let your Dr. know tomorrow that your still having headaches, maybe it is the medicine? Also, maybe your voice is weak b/c of bad weather or allergy season?
I hope you feel better and can find something that will relieve your head! Happy Mother's Day to you! I don't know if you have children, but I know you have dogs and to me, that's the same thing! Take Care! Hope your tummy feels better too!
Did you have disc problems too, is that why you had cervical fusion? Maybe your right that our necks did get set off from the surgery, also lying around doesn't help either. I know when I was feeling good, I went from sleeping with 2 pillows to 1, and was waking up feeling better. I haven't slept with less than 2 pillows since the surgery. I took imitrex today, and am feeling better. I'm hoping that if I can get rid of the headache before I go to bed than I won't wake up with it. I'm sure you know exactly what I mean! It's terrible how expensive medication is! Isn't there anything that will get rid of your headache for more than an hour? Can you have traction on your neck (after your incision heals?) When I started with traction at the chiropractor, my headaches slowly started going away. My surgeon told me to wait 2 more weeks before I can start that again with the chiro, but he said I can have my back adjusted any time. I'm going to go tomorrow for an adjustment on the back and ask if there's anything he can do for my neck without upsetting the incision. I'd let your Dr. know tomorrow that your still having headaches, maybe it is the medicine? Also, maybe your voice is weak b/c of bad weather or allergy season?
I hope you feel better and can find something that will relieve your head! Happy Mother's Day to you! I don't know if you have children, but I know you have dogs and to me, that's the same thing! Take Care! Hope your tummy feels better too!
I really don't feel very well. My energy level is so low. My doctor says it takes 6 weeks for the thyroid meds to get in you system, but I wonder if I don't have enough.I am taking 125 whatevers.And yes, Karmike, I have a headache. Maybe cause the weather is so rainy. I take RELPAX sometimes, it is a migraine aborter similar to Imatrax. It eases the headache for about an hour(at $20 a pill!)Sometimes I take furaset and sometimes I take Midrin. I have had a cervical fusion in my neck. I wonder if the TT surgery annoyed our necks since the position they operate on us was to keep our necks in extension. I can't do that for very long without getting a headache, so being in that position for 2 hours + could have annoyed the muscles in the neck creating a headache. I am glad you can still sing. I really can't talk loud and my voice seems to be getting weaker the last couple of days. Oh, well. Hate to be so complainey but I don't feel very well. Happy Mother's day if you all are Mom's. My husband took me out to breakfast. Now I am so full and have a tummy ache! Good figure! I hope everyone has a nice relaxing sunday full of healing energy!
Hey ladies, Y'all seem so nice!!!!!! I was talking to my Mom last night about my scar, if she thinks I should cover it up when I go out in public, and she said that because of the steri-strips covering it, that it looks like a piece of jewelery on my neck if you look quick at it. My Dad took a picture of me the day after my surgery, that he has emailed to all of my family (thanks Dad!), but I haven't seen it yet, I don't know if we can put a picture on this sight, but maybe after your surgeries, we can compare scars!
maccie - my headache hasn't gone away yet too and I am also prone to migraines. The first of this year I had a 5 week headache, it turned out to be a bulging disc in my neck and my Dilantin (I'm on anti-seizure for a seizure-disorder that started 10 years ago) level was toxic. It took them 5 weeks to figure it out, but after changing my Dilantin dose and chiropractic care, the headaches went away completely! I was curious about your headache because I'm wondering if my disc is acting up again or if it is because of the medicine for the thyroid. I read on my pharmacy print out for Armour Thyroid, that if you have too much thyroid hormone, you can have headaches. I asked the Dr. about this yesterday and he said it usually happens after a couple of months on the meds, but told me to cut the dose in 1/2 for a couple of days to see if that relieves the head. Is there anything that you take other than sleep that helps relieve it because I haven't found anything yet other than those migraine ice patches. Other than the headache, I feel real good! It's always something though, isn't it? I hope you feel good today yourself?
About the voice, I was real lucky, my voice never changed! It was a little weak the first few days, but now it's as strong as ever. I'm a singer, so I was so scared that it would change - but it never did! My surgeon asked me Thurs. when I went for the follow up if I could still hit Hight C, i told him yes, and that he did a terrific job! I could probably sing something low now but the neck does get sore when I shout (found this out watching my Red Sox game the other night). It's very common to have a weak voice for the first couple of weeks though.
Well it sounds like we all have gone through a lot and I think this surgery will make us all stronger!!!!!
Take care y'all - again, I'll be thinking of you carole and bananie22 this week!!!!!!! maccie - hope you feel real good today and enjoy a nice relaxing Sunday!
maccie - my headache hasn't gone away yet too and I am also prone to migraines. The first of this year I had a 5 week headache, it turned out to be a bulging disc in my neck and my Dilantin (I'm on anti-seizure for a seizure-disorder that started 10 years ago) level was toxic. It took them 5 weeks to figure it out, but after changing my Dilantin dose and chiropractic care, the headaches went away completely! I was curious about your headache because I'm wondering if my disc is acting up again or if it is because of the medicine for the thyroid. I read on my pharmacy print out for Armour Thyroid, that if you have too much thyroid hormone, you can have headaches. I asked the Dr. about this yesterday and he said it usually happens after a couple of months on the meds, but told me to cut the dose in 1/2 for a couple of days to see if that relieves the head. Is there anything that you take other than sleep that helps relieve it because I haven't found anything yet other than those migraine ice patches. Other than the headache, I feel real good! It's always something though, isn't it? I hope you feel good today yourself?
About the voice, I was real lucky, my voice never changed! It was a little weak the first few days, but now it's as strong as ever. I'm a singer, so I was so scared that it would change - but it never did! My surgeon asked me Thurs. when I went for the follow up if I could still hit Hight C, i told him yes, and that he did a terrific job! I could probably sing something low now but the neck does get sore when I shout (found this out watching my Red Sox game the other night). It's very common to have a weak voice for the first couple of weeks though.
Well it sounds like we all have gone through a lot and I think this surgery will make us all stronger!!!!!
Take care y'all - again, I'll be thinking of you carole and bananie22 this week!!!!!!! maccie - hope you feel real good today and enjoy a nice relaxing Sunday!
Sorry karmike - your name should have been included along with bananie22 & maccie on the "Comment To" on my previous post. My finger slipped !!!!!!
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