Whatcha goiter do?

[beckerboo]

Was diagnosed in December with multi-nodule goiter.  One spot on right side kept coming back and had to have it drained.  Pain!  Started to feel the lump again couple weeks ago and finally had ultra-sound yesterday.  Ultrasound tech told me he had good news and bad news - good news was it wasn't as big as before, bad news was that it was solid this time so couldn't be drained.  Haven't heard back from doctors, will probably hear next week.  Has anyone had this?  Kind of scared, thinking that some sort of surgery is looming.  BTW, just had hysterectomy in April so not in any hurry to go back under the knife.

[zindy]

hi. sorry your not feeling well:(  i had my right thyroid removed 20 yrs ago for nodule BUT back then i didn't have any symptoms just was questionable if it was cancer. was Bengin!  i have lots of symptoms with this 5.2cm nodule. they said it needs to come out bcz its growing inward? I've ignore it for 7yrs (3yrs with symptoms) i guess  bcz  of the size putting pressure on things.  i can let you know after this surgery if the problems go away.  i have lot of the same sypmtoms. do you get blood work done regularly?  I was so tried one time and my TSH was 111!!   let us know what the endo says wednesday. BEST WISHES!!

[hashisgirl]

Hi,
Depending on the lab doing your bloodwork the high end ofnormal could very well be hyper. I went to two different dr's in one week last year who used two different labs, one had me distinctly hyper, the other at the high end of normal. Even at the high end of normal, the tiredness and muscle fatigue could very well be from too much thyroid hormone being in your body. have you had an 123 scan and antibody testing, With the swelling I would guess you have some sort of thyroiditis going on, or perhaps Graves disease. Insist on antobody testing to see if you have an autoimmune disease going on.

[lisseree]

I'm interested to hear more about how you and others felt prior to your thyroidectomies. I have had a goiter since I was a child. Over the years I've tried to ignore it (with exception of when if flared up with pregnancies.) But in the past few months I've felt terrible. I dragged myself through the ER it was so bad a week ago. My levels are normal, but ultrasound shows "diffuse multinodular goiter with no focul mass." Lobes are equal size at 5.2cm X 2.1cm X 1.7cm.

I'm tired 80 percent of the day, have considerable discomfort in my neck, debilitating headaches, seriously choking on food, no appetite at all, puffy face (eyes,) ultra-dry skin, nausea, poor memory/focus, and have begun waking up startled to find that I'm not breathing (when on my back.) Apnea? I don't know. All I know is that I've always been a completely normal, energetic person with a goiter, and now I can't figure out what's going on. I have an appt. with an endocrinologist at a fine clinic on Wednesday so am interested to see what he thinks.

Any of you have success with surgery to relieve these symptoms, even when hormone levels had been "normal?" I feel like the thing has gone toxic in me! It even throbs when I lie down. I'm trying not to panic, but sitting here chilled and nauseated and gagging on nothing feels awful. Any words of wisdom are welcome.

[DLA]

"Whatcha goiter do?"  That cracked me up!!!!!!  "When it comes for you!!!!!!"

[zindy]

HI, I just had gall bladder removed (july 18) and I'm scheduled for thryoid surgery Aug 16 for 5.2cm complex nodule/goiter. I've been doing the "wait & see" for 7yrs.  problems with sore throat,ear pain , neck feeling swollen and hot, something stuck in throat,  tried etc... Those little thyroid lobes sure can cause some problems. I had total hysterctomy in 95 that was the worst surgery I've been through have a line across my belly to remind me :(   My left thyroid removed 20 yrs ago. I hope you all are doing better!:)  Dart Frog i'm like you just could not get away from the problems,  i just keep putting it off but now I'm ready  but,  a little scared!   GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!

[Venora Moonwind]

That is good they left your ovaries.They did mine that way in 84 but I had so much trouble with the little eggmakers I endeup getting them out too.Was on estrogen for awhile but I 50 now so I quit taking it.I feel better without my thyroid than I did with it in.

So I will look for your posts to see how you are doing.
Love Venora

[beckerboo]

Blood tests (before yesterday) show TSH or T4 at high end of normal, I always get those 2 mixed up.  And I was feeling great after hysterectomy.  I had the 'new' kind of surgery where everything's done inside, and they left the ovaries.  Went home the next day, made dinner and everything.  I try to walk every day, but lately have really slacked off.  It's hard sometimes to even shampoo hair because my arms get so tired.  Have sleep study scheduled in next two weeks to see about sleep apnea, but want to wait now to see what they're going to do about thyroid.

[dart frog]

I guess I would say that to me I would decide just how bad the nodule problem is. Can you live with all the problems or is it getting to the point where its interfering with the quality of life....know what I mean??
For me I could NOT get away from the problem, it was always there no matter what I did or didnt do and I was not a happy camper At nightime if I ended up flat on my back it would make me up because of the breathing problems and I would freak out.
So I guess you have to ask....which is worse

[Venora Moonwind]

Sorry to hear about your hysterctomy.(I had mine in 84 and I have been quite happy) I hope you are recovering well.I  too hope you dont have to have another surgery.I had 2 surgeries last year and it was too much.What are your blood test showing?Are you eating right and getting alittle exercise?Or have you been doing too much since your surgery. It takes along to recover from from hysterectomy. with the estrogen cut off and all.Did you get put on estrogen? lol I know I am asking lots of questions.Hang in there and keep posting.
Love Venora

[dart frog]

Had TT july 9th for multinodular goiter. Goiter wasnt too big but nodules were growing by the week.Had 8 nodules 3 were both, 5 were solid. I had more problems with the ones that were both. When dr biopsied the largest it hemorraged and would go big,small,big,small....drove me nuts. Biopsy was benign and dr was willing to go the "wait and see" route but started having too many problems with swollowing and breathing.

Have you had the nodule biopsied? If it is benign and isnt causing you too many problems you probably could get away with waiting to see what happens. Good luck!!

[beckerboo]

Had biopsy in Feb - benign.  I would let it go, but am having problems with the swallowing, choking and sleep apnea.  Also very, very, very tired.  Don't know yet if it's from thyroid, sleep apnea or both.  And did I mention how tired I am?