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491352 tn?1258807095

How do you feel post thyroidectomy?

I am having my left lobe out at the end of the month.  If any of you have had yours removed how quickly will I feel the physical side effects of the removal?  What experiences did you have immediately following the surgery?  I believe the Dr. will be starting me on a thyroid med, not sure tho and I am concerned as to the side effects I may have after this is all done.

Thanks!
10 Responses
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215021 tn?1224882457
I was a little bit weepy days 4 - 5 post op'.  I think this was just a kind of relief that it was all over and I didn't have to keep being 'brave'.  Just a kind of coming down if you get what I mean however chatting to a friend of mine - ex nurse - she says anaesthesia can affect you like that. So don't worry too much - just go with it and come on here if you need to ask questions or vent!
J
Helpful - 0
219241 tn?1413537765
I had Left thyroidectomy May 07. For me I was sore a little bit in the muscles of the neck (they stretch them apart to get at the thyroid) Vomiting was bad for me, but I always throw up with surgery of any type, even though the anethetist did give me good anti-nausea, they don't seem to work for me.
I felt very tired when I got home 3 days later. Had a bad experience with a dementia patient thinking I was an intruder in his room! He was from another room!
  My moods were a little grumpy but I expect that was coz I was tired and from the anethestic. I didn't need meds till I had the other side out in Dec 07.
   I did cry a bit and got annoyed at having to have surgery in the first place, but soon passed when I realised had they not taken it out I could have got cancer, so I was ok then.
I think I am worse after having the TT, the meds put me all over the place. Still dealing with it. But that could be just me!
   You'll probably sail through it and we'll all be jealous of you! Lots of luck with it!
Helpful - 0
490443 tn?1236648256
For me I just got finished with my second surgery to finish TT. I have Paillary Carcinomas waiting for RAI.... I HONESTLY feel better now than I ever have?!!! WEIRD h uh!!! Moods for me are Better!!! I am on short life cytomel till the RAI. But for me 1.5-2weest post surgery!!! I barfed 5 hours after the surger due to the dilottin (CANNOT SPELL)!!! I am allergic to it!!! NICE to know now how miserable the surgery itself was not bad just the drug after! GOOD luck!!!
Rodeo Queen
Helpful - 0
168348 tn?1379357075
Honestly, I was terrified the meds would take my life over!  And they really were ok for me .. but I had a meltdown after my cancer diagnosis since the path report on the table was clear and then they found some elsewhere 48hrs later .. so it was high coupled with low .. but I'm fine with it all now.  Sometimes I get some moods when the meds need adjustment but it is a gradual thing for me.

C~
Helpful - 0
491352 tn?1258807095
What about changes in your mood - since it is a major part of your hormonal make up - will I notice an emotional change right away or does that creep up on you?  I know the pain from the incision, etc - that part I am not concerned with so much.  It's that "Bold new adventure" that I am inpatient with.  Too bad I don't have a crystal ball!!!  
Helpful - 0
168348 tn?1379357075
It took a good 10 days for me to feel almost myself ...... about 2 weeks if I was working full time to have ret'd to work but alot depends on ea. person.. some feel great days later and others weeks later .. I ended up on synthroid bcz the other side never started to work again .. happens 20% of the time.

Cheryl
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had mine too 7 years ago. Post-op is great. I felt no pain at all. Home at the second day. The scar was a litlle itchy for about a week. Now you can't tell the different with my neck lines. I took no medication at all since the blood test was all normal. But after about a year uptil now, my periods became irregular , my voice is ok but I cannot sing/ talk in high tone. When talking in crowd, I feel voiceless.
Helpful - 0
517152 tn?1212368531
Great questions, MJ62.  I was wondering the same things.  I hope more comment on it.
Helpful - 0
215021 tn?1224882457
Hi there, I had PT 6 weeks ago. (Left lobe plus Isthmus removed).
Having had a previous op' I chatted with the aneasthesthitist (sp?) about my fears of the nausea post op'. He told me he would give me something whilst in theatre for when I woke up.  I had no nausea at all. So if that worries you ask for the antinausea meds.
I found that the pain was manageable - went home the day after.  The only thing they hadn't prepared me for was was the drain in my neck - didn't like that much and glad when it came out the day after the op' before they let me home.
I was advised I could have some more heavy duty pk's but managed ok on Paracetamol -I think thats tylenol in the us - and Ibuprofen. I guess it depends on your pain tolerance but really it was not that bad.  My cesearean was MUCH worse! I only took them for 4 days after the op.
The whole op' experience was not as bad as I feared.  After a day or so at home though I got neck ache from sleeping in a position that helped with the comfort at the wound site.  As a result I have had neck problems for a few weeks and finally had some accupuncture and physio on it last week.
I felt the first week or so really scared to move my neck too much but by the end of week 2 was doing great.  My scar area still feels a little 'tight' but I have been assured that will get better in time.
The first night post op' you will probably be in a high dependance area - so lots of coming and going, checking of blood pressures etc etc.  My advice would be take in an ipod if you have one or some ear plugs - I did and was able to shut out some of the noise.  I also had an evian face spray so if you feel hot and yucky like I did you can at least spray your face to feel a bit cooler.  
Like dscoochie I did not have any calcium problems and they may not immediately put you onto any thyroid meds - they may wait for several blood results to see how your levels are post op'.
Last piece of advice - do not go home too quickly and do not expect to feel normal too soon.  Surgery can really take it out of you and I overdid it a bit and suffered as a result.
Be patient with yourself and if anyone offers help take it!
Good luck - let us know how it goes.
J

Helpful - 0
455126 tn?1212432198
After the surgery, my neck and shoulders were stiff and sore from the position they have you in for the surgery.  Worse thing of all was the 1. nausea from the anesthetic (you DONT want to throw up after neck surgery!) and 2. the sore throat from the intibation (sp?) tube.  Pain wise, I managed with no pain pills except for the first night (and I think I took those just be able to sleep in what seemed like the party area of the hospital!).

I did not have any calcium issues.

I did not need any thyroid meds after my partial, my levels were fine.  You may or may not need thyroid meds are you are having a partial as well.  Just ensure they do regular  bloodwork.

Good luck!
Helpful - 0
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