Post op surgery worries

[gbecka]

I had surgery for a total thyroidectomy on the 3/28 dut to multi- nodule goiters on both left and right lobes but during surgery they decided to only remove the left side where they discovered a tumor.  Since the surgery I have been experiencing the following symptoms:
* Hot flushes
* Night sweets
* Lack of appetite
* Reflux
* Constant sleepiness
I have seen my gp twice since surgery the last time on 04/03 where he organised blood for a full thyroid panel (due to easter break here in Oz) still waiting for results.  He said wound seemed to be ok.  Saw surgeon on 04/05 who removed stitch and advised that my left side actually had a 6cm benign tumor but decided to leave right due to surgery complications (apparently I stopped breathing twice) and surgery was already in to 3rd hour he hasn't ruled out that right side may be removed at a later date. But he believes symptoms above is due to anaesthetic, my test results prior to surgery have always been within range for my thyroid (don't know exactly what)surgey was scheduled due to breathing difficulties.
Since about 04/06 I seem to be waking up from sleep gasping to breath or coughing which hurts the wound area.  Then on the 04/08 I was in a vehicle had a seat belt on car stopped suddenly and seat belt when tight across my neck on the left hand side since then have been experiencing pain where they removed my thyroid.  Also wound area on the right has started to weep.
Can any body please help me? Are the above symptoms normal post surgery?  What is the likely hood now my right thyroid does not kick in and work for my left.  I am also taking efexor for depression which I have had since I was 19 am now 34 will this have any effect on that medication? I am lost and scared and don't even know what questions to ask my dr due to everything being explained as a total thyroidectomy to me I am at a complete loss.  Can anyone help and advise me

[ChitChatNine]

I had a partial Jan '07 and my other half is not working properly.  The Dr. on the Dr. to Patient Forum said 30% of the time the other side doesn't function after partial.  (Well, he was more positive and said 70% do function LOL).

I know that for a long time driving in a car was rough on the neck muscles .. felt like I could have gotten whiplash very easily.  I still get stiff spasm in neck muscle in the back of head on same side as the surgery.  I think being in that position during surgery for so many hrs really did a # on me and coupled with having had whiplash 20 yrs ago on that side it doesn't help matters.  I think I am going to use a semi circle pillow to watch TV in bed the next few weeks and see if that helps as this hurts me still @ night while sleeping ???

I'm not sure on the other issues but you probably had pressure put on the internal stitches and/or pulled them inside with the seatbelt incident ... and that sounds like it may hurt for awhile still but you need to address with the Doc.

Let us know on the labs .. I had some stores that worked for awhile after surgery and then about week 2.5 post op my levels went askew and I had some symptoms as you describe.

Cheryl 1/2 thyroidectomy 1/07 ... Synthroid 75mcgs for supression of other side due to thy ca found 48hrs after surgery

[Justicemom]

Hi.  I had a TT on 2/14/07.  I had the night sweats and hot flashes for about 4-5 weeks. I thought I was going through early menopause!  I was told my body was in shock from having the thyroid taken out and my body was getting used to the Synthroid.  I just started to feel normal at the 6 week point of post op.  That's about when they say the Synthroid kicks in too...Pain, oozing and redness could mean an infection.  Have you been putting antiobiotic ointment on the incision?  Were you given an antiobiotic to take after surgery to prevent infection?  Your reflux is probably due to still being swollen...It still feels like I have a small knot in my throat when I swallow sometimes...Where at are you from in OZ?  I moved from KC 18 months ago.  Good Luck and be patient.  This is a long process...Especially trying to tweak the medicines.