will thyroid removal help?

[hcurrie]

ok i am desperate and totally sick of this thyroid life i am living ! will just removing the thing solve the problem? i got hashi and keep having flareups of thyroiditis and then go hyper and then back down and i cant take it any more! my body and my life are in ruin i have a disabled child i cannot care for! i know we are all living this nightmare but i cant do it anymore,  will it stop the symptoms and why or why not? thank you

[Sonflower]

There are 117 known causes of  "mouth Ulcers" on this site...
www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/mouth_ulcers.htm

And here a link for relief for swollen "salia glands"
www.home-remedies-for-you.com

[Smilerdeb]

No sonflower, They seem to think it relates to the thyroid as I only started to get these when I was dx with Graves and put on high doses of Carbimazole (Neomercazole) ATD's.
Prior to that I had no problems whatsover.
I have been checked for all other autoimmune disease as Graves is in my family so is Hashi's, Diabetes 1 and IGA.
I dont have any joint problems other than nearly hitting 49 years old and feeling my age lol.

Although funny enough, I was born with Rhuematic Fever at birth and have a heart murmur from the result of it.My Mum had it when she gave birth to me.
As I said, I have only suffered with these when the thyroid fired up.

[Sonflower]

Hi;

I too have been getting mouth ulcers periodically for a few years now...

I am only post opp for a complete Thyroidectomy 11 weeks.  So I don't know what the mouth ulcers are from, for I was getting them pre and post opp?

I have some kind of inflammatory arthritis and although no RA antibodies the Rheumatologist has been treating me for RA symptoms for 4 years now.  Although it is known that over 30% of RA patients never test positive w/antibodies and are of Sero Neg type RA, I still wonder if it maybe some other type other than RA.

I recall reading that mouth ulcers are one of the symptoms of one or more of other the other rheumatic disease. Do you suffer from any inflammatory diseases?  I was getting ready to re do some research regarding this before seeing my doctor again.

Hope you get answers and relief soon!  

Take care; Sonflower

[Smilerdeb]

I went to my Doctor yesterday after suffering with mouth ulcers, runny ears, sinus probs sore throats and lumps under my tongue for the last 18 months which erupt every 2-3 weeks and have now been referred to an ENT Surgeon as I have the saliva glands blocked under the tongue.I know what is involved in the proceedure to unblock them or see if there are any stones so feel relieved that at least something is now being done.
It is very hard to pinpoint a reason for the ulcers and ulceration but finally they have (or at least I have).
Ask your Doctor to check for blocked saliva glands.
Thanks heaps Totie

[Smilerdeb]

I had a Nurse at work look at mine and she told me my saliva glands under the tongue are either infected or has stones there.
(I know it sounds funny having stones under yr tongue lol) but not funny to live with. :(
I am seeing my Doc this afternoon so will let you know what he says...hes pretty good too.Usually this can be a reaction from Surgery or RAI.

[hcurrie]

i was also wondering about the antibodies and what would they attack next! my docs said the same thing nothing they say, but to me all things evolve and so why wouldnt an antibody?
also to smilerdeb
also under my tongue is sore as well and my tongue is so swollen

[Smilerdeb]

I am basically going through the same thing.
I honestly believe my glands under my tongue are either infected or there is something wrong as they are inflammed every 2-3 weeks. Can you give me a run down on your symptoms and treatment?
Much appreciated.

Debs

[Totie]

Strange you should say what else will they destroy once the antibodies no longer have the thyroid to destroy. I did have to have my submandibular gland removed this past Oct. due to it getting infected and also a ligament (Eagle Syndrome) and two lymph nodes. I also have IC (Intestrial Cystis), maybe all these things are tied to me once having graves/hyperthyroidism?

Maybe you are on to something.

[Sonflower]

Hi;

Thanks for your responce!

I have been unclear regarding this senario. O was diagnosed with Hahsimoto's Thyroiditis 4 yrs ago.  I had a Thyroidectomy in Oct 08, I have asked 2 ENDO's and the ENT that did the surgery, "What happens with the 1000's of antibodies that have been attacking and have ultimately distroyed my thyroid?"  The all told me the same thing, they said that the antibodies have a very specific job which is to attack the thyriod and trying to distroy it thinking it is an intruder.  Now they have no job!  My concern was that they would begin attacking and distroying something else now that my thyroid was remove.  It was explained to me that their job assignment is center on the thyroid and only the thyroid that when the thyroid is removed, all though the antibodies may remain... they just hang out jobless.

The only information I have is what the doctors explained to me....   Now that I am feeling much better I do plan on doing some internet research in hopes to gain more knowelege regarding.

Thanks again...

Take care;  Sonflower

[Smilerdeb]

Hashi Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid which in turn makes the levels unstable.
Its my understanding that regardless of your treatment, you still have Hashimotos whether you have a thyroid or not because of the antibodies.
The levels can still become unstable through medication (which do quite often if not monitored properly) and you can fluctuate from hyper to hypo.
I once asked my Doc if I was still 'classified' as suffering from hyperthyroidism and Graves once RAI and TT was done.
He said ....Yes.
He also explained that was the first official diagnosis and that it is then explained on treatments given for that condition.
So officially I still suffer with Graves and Hyperthyroidism which was treated with RAI and TT and now T4 med.
You wouldnt have thyroiditis but you would still have hashimotos even if you had no thyroid.
Make sense?

[Sonflower]

Hello;

I was wondering....    If one has Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and then has a complete Thyroidectomy, then how does one still have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis ?

Sonflower

[Totie]

I had mine removed almost 15 yrs. ago, and just last week still dealing with the level issues. I am either over medicated or under medicated. My mine is going crazy. I was okay for 10 yrs after it was taken out, but the last two have been a night mare with the dosage. I would prefer to be hyper or at least have my TSH level at 1.0 ;

In Oct 08, my TSH was .44, my dr. lowered dosage to 100mg from 125mg. Now six weeks later my TSH is 5.19, so my dr. upped my dosage to 112mg. I sent her an email today requesting she keep my level at 1.0 (it is where I feel best). I am hoping to hear back from her when she gets back into town later this week.

Not everyone deals with this issue once they have had a TT, but I do. Think long and hard before making any decision, read all you can before making a decision.

[bet643]

You really don't want to be hypo. If your thyroid is removed, you will wish you had it back. I've had a total thyroidectomy for papilary carcinoma. I also have hashimotos. I'ts been 4 yrs. and my meds have been changed throughout the yrs. without any progress. I'm always tired, cold, memory problems, muscle cramps,and I can't sleep and night and constipation because nothing seems to help, And let's not forget about the heart palps. Without a thyroid, you will have to be on a replacement hormone like synthroid, for the rest of your life. Like I've said, it's been 4 yrs. of frustration. I would give anything to be hyper again. Now my blood work is back to every 3 mos. instead of the 6 mos. And having hashimotos just makes things worst. I know, I've been there, done that. Just becareful of what you wish for. I  know it's not easy, but you will learn to adjust. It takes time. I'm still not quite there yet myself, but I never give up, and you should never give up.

[Smilerdeb]

I had RAI done 7 months ago and then a keyhole thyroidectomy due to Thyroid Cancer, Graves and Atrial Fibrillations.
The only path to wellness is knowledge and patience with or without a thyroid.
Have you actually sat down and read the bodily functions that the thyroid control?
The Thyroid controls a lot of body functions and Organs that NO medication can do as well.

I have Graves Disease and although I have gone hyper/hyper every 2-3 weeks before RAI, I am still balancing out my meds even now.
I am 99% of the way there but I am one of the fortunate ones.
I made my Graves and Hyperthyroidism an obsession (so my family think) where I would read and research 24/7 for a few years and still doing it.

You have hashi's which is also an Autoimmune Disease like Graves is.
There is no cure for Hashi's or for Graves....just as there is no cure for other Autoimmune Diseases.
Sorry but by getting your thyroid ripped out is NOT going to solve the problem.

What will HELP is:
1. Learning to recognise your symptoms and jotting them down.
2. Keeping a diary of how you feel each day so you can look back on it and know whether you was hypo or hyper.
3. Going for regular blood tests and getting your Doctor/Endo to regulate your meds. Get him/her to work with you through this.
4. Learn all you can about the thyroid and Hashi's.

There is light at the end of the tunnel if you get to know your bodily symptoms and act on them but getting your thyroid removed is NOT the answer unless you have Cancer.
I would give anything to have my thyroid back but I learnt to 'accept' what is and what isnt and also being a different person after RAI and no thyroid.
Please dont get it taken out.
You will still have the issues of regulating your meds and your levels and it is so much harder to do without a thyroid.
Thats my personal opinion.


P.S
Just because i am doing ok , doesnt mean everyone else does. There are many here who cannot get their levels right and suffer for years after having RAI or a Thyroidectomy.

[Applesan]

I just know that when I was hyperthyroid it was easier to control than hypothyroid which is what you will be if the thyoid is removed.  I have been "unbalanced" for almost 3 months and constantly feel like I have the flu, it caused hypertension (high blood pressure), I shake, and I can't sleep.  I am constantly tired, unable to go out, dizzy, and now have panic attacks which I never experienced prior to this.  Good luck with your decision.