Struggling

Hello!  I am 28 years old and had my thyroid removed last April due to Follicular and Papillary cancer.  I had 3 masses the largest being over 6mm.  I had RAI treatment and have been on synthroid since.  My TSH was done last month and was less than .03, so very good.  My problem is that I have a sore throat all the time and now it hurts to swallow.  On top of that, I am on extreme edge, very depressed at times (it comes and goes) and I can't remember anything and have no concentration.  It is starting to affect my day to day life.  I've called the doctor and they sent me to my family Physician to see if I had strep.  Negative.  I have an appointment in November, but don't feel like I can wait that long, but don't know how to get that across to the doctor's office as they seem very busy.  Help!!!!!  Has anyone else ever experienced this kind of stuff!

[borninquisitive]

Boy, my sympathy goes out to you. Sore throat is bad enough but difficulties swallowing along with it...let me put it this way, we eat, drink, speak with our mouth/throat. If there is a problem there, we are constantly aware of it. Anxiety, to be expected.

My first thought, during the removal of your thyroid, could a nerve been damaged? Outside of thyroid, a TSH at .03 seems very low to me (however, I am not diagnosed with a thyroid condtion).
If you are hyper, could that be creating anxiety making your swallowing difficult?

Chronic sore throat: could you have a reflux problem? Which, being in your throat, would be more indicative of LPR. Or post nasal drip, which too can irritate your throat.

Your next step may be to seek council with an ENT.

Best of luck to you. I feel for you. I've had similiar problems. Tonsils removed, sore throat, LPR and post nasal drip.

~Kate




Hello! I am 28 years old and had my thyroid removed last April due to Follicular and Papillary cancer. I had 3 masses the largest being over 6mm. I had RAI treatment and have been on synthroid since. My TSH was done last month and was less than .03, so very good. My problem is that I have a sore throat all the time and now it hurts to swallow. On top of that, I am on extreme edge, very depressed at times (it comes and goes) and I can't remember anything and have no concentration. It is starting to affect my day to day life. I've called the doctor and they sent me to my family Physician to see if I had strep. Negative. I have an appointment in November, but don't feel like I can wait that long, but don't know how to get that across to the doctor's office as they seem very busy. Help!!!!! Has anyone else ever experienced this kind of stuff!

[GravesLady]

A little hint:  until you get into doctors to confirm, suck on sour lemon drops which will get the saliva going and relive the soreness a little.  The saliva gland might have been temporary damaged.
I had a slight sore throat after my RAI and sour lemon drops helped.
After cancer surgery and RAI, doctors like to keep TSH at suppressed leve, sometimes as low as 0.01, to insure cancer will not return to other areas.
I know what you mean about extreme edge and being depressed (my TSH is 0.04, too high for my thyroid situation).   Mine comes and goes too, but I also take meds to help with this.  You might want to consider antidepressants to help you get through this stage, once you are through it you can be winged from them...it doesn't have to be a forever thing.
I don't have suggestions for getting into doctors sooner, unless you can go to another doctor.

I hope you feel better soon - its no picnic, I know.

Good Luck!