Total Thyroidectomy and Nerve Damage

[Mulee]

I had a TT between June and August 2004 (two surgeries). I was diagnosed with papillary cancer in the right lobe and follicular cancer in the left. Off and on, I have had severe headaches, sinus headaches, jaw pain and just recently neck pain on the right side only. Would this possibly indicate damage to the carotid artery or carotydinia?? Wasn't sure if I should just keep taking Tylenol (doesn't help even take the edge off) or go visit my Dr?

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi ,

How are you?I have some questions for you:

Are you on medications after your surgery?
Are you compliant with your medications?
Have you taken any medications such as pain relievers for your neck pains?
Any previous injuries to the neck?

Thyroidectomy entails neck extension during surgery.Some patients experience headaches at the back of the head and neck pain. If your pain continues long after the surgery I suggest you consult an orthopedic surgeon so your cervical spine be assessed and other underlying causes be evaluated.

Chronic pain and thyroid problems may cause disruption in sleep patterns.

I also suggest you register and start a new thread so that your new post be viewed readily.

Keep us posted.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

How old are you?
Do you have any known allergies?
Were your symptoms present prior to your surgeries?
How would you characterize your headaches? Are they on one side only?throbbing?
Is there increased in sound or light sensitivity with the headaches?
Do you see spots of light prior to the episodes?

We have to rule out the more common causes of headaches like the common migraine, tension headaches and cluster headaches.Hormonal changes,stress and food intake may also modulate  these. Have you experienced eye itchiness , frequent sneezing and stuffy nose usually at a certain time of the day? Sinus congestion due to allergic reactions or infections may also cause headaches.

Trigeminal neuralgia which affects the areas innervated by your cranial nerve 5
(forehead, the middle of the face, jawline) is described cause debilitating pain and tenderness  that is usually aggravated by simple activities like shaving or brushing the teeth. Do you experience any of these?

Infection is usually associated with the onset of carotidynia. Was there any history of fever, flu or sore throat ?

I suggest you see your physician.TT procedures require the patient to extend the neck so that the surgeon gains full access of the thyroids.Some patients have complained of occipital headaches and neck pains after this.

I hope I am able to help.Keep in touch!

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

No single definite diagnostic tool is used to diagnose carotidynia.
A clinical history and complete physical examination may be able to point to the diagnosis. Carotidynia may be idiopathic in origin that is, what causes it is unknown most of the time, although a previous upper respiratory tract infection has been linked with it.

Analgesics, migraine spedcific drugs and corticosteroids may help.This however depends on the type of carotidynia you have. The classic carotidynia may responds to antiinflammatories like indomethacin. Migrainous carotidynia may require migraine specific drugs.However, I suggest you discuss this with your primary physician since most migraine specific drugs have side effects and may require close supervision when used.

Have you had a carotid duplex done?

Could you elaborate more on your swollen neck glands?
-location in the neck
-soft,hard
-moves up and down with swallowing
-tender to touch?

Do keep us posted.

[phil111]

hi , im phil - 38. i had a partial thyroid lobectomy about 3 years ago. about 5 times a year since i get the dreaded neck pain.it always lasts about 5-8 days never longer or shorter. it drives me nuts .this year i developed tinitus from a horrible virus , (my doctor thinks ) . i had an mri ,blood tests,the works , all clear . so who knows ,but the glands in my neck are still swollen 4 months later. this week i have had another neck pain attack..ouch!!  i am curently on a very small dose of thyroxin and co-tenidone for mildly high blood pressure... any ideas anyone ??  why are my glands still swollen?? can this carotydinia be cured ??      

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

I suggest you discuss your neck pain with your thyroid surgeon.Although neck pain may be experienced after immediate TT , 3 months appear to be a long time.

Other probable causes are carotidynia which is neck pain associated with pain in the temples and jawline.This may be precluded by a viral infection.Muscular pain or nerve related pain due to problems with the cervical spine may also cause headaches.

Any ear infections or dental problems?

Have you had your heart evaluated recently Everything clear?

Keep in touch Luigi.Good Luck

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

Carotydinia may present almost similarly as the common migraine. It usually manifests as severe pain over the temples, neck and jawline.You have also mentioned of a previous viral infection.So this may be very probable.

Another thing to consider is trigeminal neuralgia.But the pain of neuralgia is sharp and stabbing and extremely severe.Light touch to the face may aggravate the pain of neuralgia.

Discuss with your physician the advantages of an abortive therapy for migrane.Analgesics are not migraine specific drugs.Triptans and ergotamines may be more effective.

You may want to consult an ear,nose and throat specialist to rule out problems with your ears and airways.

Keep us posted Mulee.Good Luck!

[Luigi701]

Thank you for your response - to answer your questions:
No - I have not had previous neck pain or injury
Yes I am on medication - currently 125milligrams per day Levothyroxine which has been incresed gradually over the 3 months since surgery. I had not taken any mediation previously. I've had regular blood tests since surgery - due another this week.
I do take pain relief sometimes(in the form of paracetemol or ibuprofen,  though only when I absolutely have to.
I just hope it subsides sooner rather than later!

[Mulee]

Thanks so much for the response. I am a female, 29 yo. The headaches seem to come and go and I didn't have many before I had the procedure done. I was just concerned since I had my surgery almost 4 years ago that I still had ongoing neck pain and what not. Yes, I did have a pretty bad cold here in the last few weeks and maybe this is a residual side effect of that or the onset of carotidynia.

My headaches are ONLY on the right side in the frontal lobe and it usually brings neck pain as well, kinda hard to describe it seems to extend into my jaw and forehead. There seems to be just sensitivity to sound, not light but just makes me very irritable around my children. They start out as a dull ache and then just constand and the only thing that seems to relieve them are narcotics, which I hate to be on.
I have had my TSH and Thyroid Panels done like clockwork in the last few years, but the headaches and pain seem to make me worse than my thyroid condition (hypothyroidism). I appreciate the help that you have posted today and thank you to all who have posted.

[Luigi701]

I had a TT in Sept 07 - benign multi nodular goitre was the cause.  Whilst I had the to be expected discomfort initially with neck pain and headaches I had hoped this would by now have largely gone.  Unfortunately this is not the case - I seem to have a continuous headache although the severity varies. The neck pain also improved for a while but has recently come back quite severely.  I also have problems sleeping and have gained a further 2kg of weight.  I've been told this is all normal but surely after 3 months I should be better than this?  Any comments from anyone re their experiences would be welcomed.

[LifesAHeadache]

I'm definitely with Becky, with this history, I would call the doctor as soon as possible. I would even call the exchange, it sounds like a pretty bad headache and with your history they would completely understand.

[beckyf800]

Regardless you should still go see your Dr.  

Have you ever had your Car/Artetries checked out by a Vascular Dr/Surgeon? He could check you for possible blockage in such case could be causing headaches ect.
Just a sug to mention to your regular Dr.