Post TT numb throat

[Mor]

Hi, I got to take the bandages off this morning - good looking scar! It's 3 1/2 - 4 inches long and a bit livid, as yet, and the bruising goes down to my belly button (from blood seeping southwards) so I'm quite the exciting looking specimen! My question, though, is this: Have your throats been numb post TT? The central part of my neck/throat, including my voice box, is numb inside and out. Completely. I'm thinking that's why I haven't regained my voice. I can't cough properly, either. Or sneeze. I can whisper, though, and talk very softly. Otherwis, that part of my throat seems to be not working. Have any of you experienced this? It's kind of nice, I guess, because it means there's no pain. But is it normal? I don't see the surgeon for my follow-up appointment until a week from today (today is 4 days post-op). Is this numbness something I should tell him about sooner, rather than wait? Not there's anything he can do about it, probably. Just curious....  Mor

[JerseyWoman]

I too felt the numbness in my neck and throat after the surgery.  It's about 3 1/2 weeks past my surgery and my neck around the incision is still numb (and itchy!)  One thing I did notice for the first 2 weeks is a mediciny taste in my throat - like iodine.  It was nasty and interfered with my taste a bit too.  

Martha - I also felt the chocking the first 2 weeks too, it will go away.  Just have water close by to help clear your throat.  

There is no other way to describe it - but recovery from this surgery sucks!  

[hazelhurst]

Please don't worry too much--the numbness will eventually go away.  It could take months. I remember using a lot of ice-packs on my neck after surgery (I was in the hospital for a week due to low calcium, and the nurses kept giving me ice, for several days).  

[Martha210]

I just had thyroid surgery with left neck dissection and I am so scared because I can't feel my throat.  I constanly feel like I have a tight belt on my throat, it is just the worst feeling.  This has been the hardest thing to accept, not feeling my shoulder or my ear is hard, but the feeling of choking is the worst.  Do you feel the same way I feel
martha

[Mor]

Thanks, that's all good to know. Back to relaxing.... Mor

[KBo13]

They paralized my left vocal during my TT.  At first my voice was very weak but with time the right one takes over.  It's much better now, 2 years later.  As for the numbness, a year ago I had a Radical Neck Disection and my entire left shoulder up through my neck to my left ear is numb, I have no feeling except a itchy feeling once in a while.  You get used to it.

[Lightsmsb]

Dont worry too much about your numbness.  All part of the surgery and will get better over TIME!! :)  This hopefully was explained to you before surgery.  Just like Hazlehurst said before.  Since the bandages are off time for aloe or vitamin E cream for the scar.  Your voice will eventually come back but (hopefully the surgeon warned you before surgery) you may not get 100% back the full voice you once had.  This is because the nerves that control the voice box run right next or thru the thyroid and he/she has to disect the thyroid and will bump into these important nerves.  

As Utahmamma said once I believe, she didnt notice her voice back to almost normal for a long time after her surgery(ies).

Just sit back relax, take a deep breath and REST!!!!  Do not worry unless you start an infection or your low calcium symptoms happen then immediatly seek your surgeon.  When you have your appointment let him know whats going on.  If your concerned tell him.  He will probably tell youy the same thing I and Hazle just said.  :)

Cheers,
Scott

[hazelhurst]

The answer is yes! My neck was numb for weeks--even months. It's normal, my surgeon said. All the severed nerves have to connect up again. My incision was about the same length as yours.