too soon

[creation1315]

I had Chiari surgery in Jan. of this year.  Cat scan showed nodules on thyroid as most people with Chiari's has. Dr. told me will take up to two years for all symptoms  to fade mostly because Chiari caused me to also have  the spine filled with fluid problem (sorry  cant remember what called-large word starts with S) anyways here is the thing ---should I wait for symptoms to leave before checking on thyroid. For I know Chiari,s can cause all these problems . Just curious if I'm jumping the gun.

[christianirc]

I agree with you Selma  :)  So many different things it COULD be and just because it was nothing serious in my case doesn't mean it may not be in her case :)

[selmaS]

  Not trying to  say u r wrong Christianirc, but I was told it is either Hashimoto's or lack of iron if u have nodules on the thyroid.....

It can also be a pituitary issue, but not something I would let go, Deff get this checked regardless of what u feel may be the origin, make sure the nodules are not growing and u do not have a health concern with them.

[christianirc]

No, it's not necessarily Hashimoto's. There is a thyroid condition called Hashimoto's (I have lupus and it was checked for when they found my nodules).  It can be, or it can be simply nodules.  My endocrinologist described it as extra thyroid tissue and my body will most likely absorb it on its' own.  You do want to have your thyroid bloodwork done regularly though just to make sure it isn't interfering with your levels.  Best advice: See an endocrinologist and let him/her figure it out.  :)

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

If u have nodules on ur thyroid it is called Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and u can be on meds to help with how u feel, and u should have ur thyroid U/S every 6 months to check the growth of the nodules.

I would imagine u meant Syringomyelia? Long S word, u had a syrinx, that should shrink after u have surgery but again, u should have a MRI to check to see if that has happened. Each Dr is diff as to when they do the MRI, if u r doing well it could be at the one yr post op point, if u r having issues post op, it could be sooner. Depending on how large the syrinx was I would want to know at the 6 month point if it had an effect....and if u have symptoms should be an indication.

I would not let the thyroid go as it can become cancerous....I was put on thyroid meds b4 my chiari surgery and 6 months post op I was taken off them as the nodules stopped growing and my levels were ok.....so I go every 6 months for blood labs and a U/S.

[christianirc]

They found nodules in my 6 month post op mri.  I went to the doctor, had a thyroid ultrasound and then a biopsy and it came back noncancer.  They said in that case it will probably just go away on it's own, so there is nothing to do.  It was a big relief to know what it was. In addition, I would say if it is malignant you would rather know sooner than later.