Flu-like symptoms after total thyroidectomy

[loveblue]

Hi, everyone.  I'm new here, so go easy on me.  : )  I had a total thyroidectomy (very large, non-cancerous goiter) in late August 2006.  The surgery went fine and I was having a 'normal' post-op recovery until two weeks after the surgery.  For the last five weeks I have been experiencing flu-like symptoms that last most of the day, until early evening.  When the flu-like symptoms end, they are replaced by hot flash-type symptoms.  (I'm post menopausal).  

Before the surgery, I had hyperthyroidism - severe fatigue, nervousness, very dry and itchy skin, problems concentrating, very fast heart rate, plus heart beat very hard, so hadn't had a restful nights sleep in about 8 months.  All problems except skin dryness are gone, but the constant flu-like symptoms are preventing me from returning to work.  I am currently taking 100 mcg of Levothyroxine, which my endo wants to increase to 125, but my primary care doctor feels I may already be over-medicated.  I am also taking 2 500 mg calcium tablets daily, in addition to drinking about 16 oz of 2% milk per day.  I'm also experiencing sharp stomach pains and loose stools about 5 days a week.  My post-op thyroid levels are now in normal range, but just barely.

I will be seeing my primary care physician within the next week, but I am really getting concerned about the daily flu-like symptoms.  Anyone ever experience anything like this post-TT surgery?

[DustyRoadz]

Had total Thyroid removed 23 Oct.
Had a great recovery until 13Nov whereby I'm experiencing nausea and flu-like symptoms.
Taking Synthroid.Calctroil,and Calcium Carbonate
Have next appointment 17nov,3 more days
Can't wait to get new mess to rid myself f he nausea
Great to have that dam lump out!!!!!

[zakzak]

Thank you I will let my doctor know.

[gimel]

When you see the doctor, you should always be tested for the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4, which are not the same as Total T3 and Total T4.  If the doctor resists, just insist on it and don't take no for an answer.  You need to know both levels.  

[zakzak]

2 weeks 5 days total thyroidectomy.  Just today flu like systems.   Other than that I feel great.  Was not advised to take calcium pills.  I eat Greek yogurt, healthy foods (world's healthiest foods wh foods.org) is a great site for anyone concerned about their health.  This evening I made my special health drink.  Feeling better. Have a doctor's appointment tomorrow.  One thing for sure prayers and a positive attitude is definitely a healer. I do depend on God to direct me in everything.  Whether the right doctor, medicine or whatever.  Going to sleep now.

[patrolwoman]

May 2014 TT- 24  y/o female
I just had mine taken out 4 weeks ago for hyper- I was allergic to mmi and the ptu is sooooo bad for you and your body. Also the radiation seemed like a holocaust experiment. im young I don't want horrible chemicals in my body especially if I plan on having a child all of those meds. go thru a woman's placenta. However: I feel like that was the worst decision in my life I feel horrible and depressed everything is a major task even laundry. I have read about the cytomel and possibly b12 shots to go along and help with my mood swings. before surgery I was a bubbly fun blonde and a committed police officer, now I just feel worthless like im not even helping anyone because it is so exhausting. I have had flu like symptoms since I got out. I started antibotics today. I just feel closer to death then I feel closer to getting better. this is not me and I go for a f/u o june 11 to my endo im just afraid she wont help me because, and I cant handle feeling like this. I also get sensations of my airway collapsing then it goes into an anxiety attack because I feel like I cant breath. I also live in Texas and its starting to be summer and im super intolerant to cold its June 2 and im wearing pants and a jacket and its 86 F. here some one has to be going thru this. im really interested in the b12 for weight loss to because I have gained 10 lbs .

My concern is the thyroid was there as a cushion from your skin and wind pipe now there is nothing so when I lay down its like it caves in. Im only 24 an 2 year officer. I need some advice please.

[vey859]

Just wondering how your going with things and all. Hav you recovered from the flu like symptoms?I hav got the same problems. Had TT in may 2011 due to thy ca. I haven't been ack to work since. Please let us know your experiences in the past years so we can learn from you. Thank you. Vey

[andee320]

I just had my Thyroidectomy and lymph nodes removed.  All of you are complaining of a lot of different symptoms after surgery, but I had all of those symptoms before.  And did any of you think of the out come if you did not have surgery?  I would be died in less then a year.  My Thyroid was full of cancer and nodes also behind it.  My lymph nodes on my left side also where also cancerous and found other cancer.  

I'm also a survior of ALL.  When I was 7 yrs old I had Acute Lymphoblastic Leuckimia at that time.  It was 50/50 chance of living, died twice on my parents, I have had my last rights and my parents were told I would never have kids.  I have a 19 year old daughter and a 6 year old daughter.

I am proud to say I had my Thyroidectomy and Lymph Nodectomy.  I am alive an can finish watching my girls grow up.  Plus, I have a wonderful husband, parents and family. To thank for support and care.

[arzeb]

I had my thyroid irradiated the end of July this year, 2011,  they didn't start me on Synthroid for 6 weeks at which time I couldn't even function, no brain, extremely dizzy and just felt horrible.  They started me with 25mcg of Synthroid, which didn't do much , the first of November I had my TSH levels drawn and they were 19.  They upped my dose to 50 mcg immediately and accused me of not taking the meds according to specific directions but I had been.  Since that increase in dosage I have continued to go down hill, I feel horrible, achey all over,  semi nausous constantly, complete brain fog and feeling of vice around my head.  Emotionally a virtual wreck crying at the drop of a pin.  My life has been turned into a living hell since the procedure was done and I am frustrated.  2 weeks ago I had a sever bout of dizziness with nausea and call the Dr. was told it was to early to check levels and meds take at least 6 weeks to kick in when increased, just keep track of symptoms.  I am due to have them drawn the end of December and I feel they are probably just as high or higher.  I wish I never had to have the procedure done but was given no alternatives.  Help.,

[Totol_Thyroidectomy]

I had a total thyroidectomy 7-6-2011 I was very very nervous about the surgery but am so glad it is over. I felt discomfort after surgery but did not take any pain medicine. Now I am tired and sleeping a little more than usual and I also have a cough which usually produces a little mucus. I am not sure what causes this cough but I hope it will go away soon. I have not yet started taking any medicine to adjust my levels but I guess I will get started on that after my one week appt with my doc.

[aberrise]

Hi, I just have my thyroidectomy last May 6, 2011. Since then I have this severe nagging  cough not relieved with antibiotics and cough syrup. how long will I be suffering for this. Pls help. Thanks

[vetty67]

I was so frightened to have the surgery but my body was falling apart; headaches (migranes) which i never had, weight loss, tired, trouble breathing, anxiety, heart palpitations, just had trouble living.  I had cancelled 2 prior surgery for my TT but I knew I had to go with this 3rd one.  With alot prayers, faith and blessings I went through it and I can not believe it is over.  I have no pain but just a little discomfort.  I can not take the 2000mcg of Oscal it gave me severe heartburns and I finally took my Levo 137mcg this morning but I am just worried about the test result since the goiter and my thyroids are removed.  I can't wait to get 100% percent better.   I know I have a long road ahead but I should and will not lose my faith.

[Neckgrl]

Help! I had my right thyroid removed 4-23-10. I felt great after the anesthesia wore off, but the day after my post op visit, I felt like I had been hit with an elephant tranquilizer! The surgeon tells me no need to see an endo, but I just felt terrible, so I contacted my PCP and he got the lab work done and found I'm hypo. How long does it take to feel normal? I regret having it removed, since they found the mass non-cancerous. I feel so terrible and have the flu like symptoms as well. Not to mention the hack, but I figure that is from the airway. Please let me know how long it take for the meds to kick in. Thanks

[myky1222]

hi everyone...
I am 6 days post op with a total TT. I have Plummers disease with a multi nodual goiter, I am 36, was diagnosed at 17. So I have been living with this a very long time. Right now, the only problem I am having is a tightness in my throat, hard to swallow, what was all of your experience with this? Right now, I am taking 25 mg of Cytomel, 1 tums 3 x per day. I am in no pain, slight tighness in muscles. So like I stated my biggest complaint is the tightness when swallowing. I am also experiencing some insomnia ans fatigue. Thanks for your help.
Michelle

[ttmoni9]

I wish I hadn't had my thyorid removed too. Now I realised it is such an important gland...not only for metabolism, but affects your mood, hair, skin, other hormones.  

Why did I believe my endo when he said I will be better without it?? I think I got scared about the effects of the meds and he said that it would be better if I wanted to have kids... well.. i'm not even married and now have no energy to take care of kids even if I wanted to!!  

It''s weird.. I refused to have the operation when I was first diagnosed 10yrs ago, but agreed to it 3.5yrs ago when it came back... How I wish I had a time machine.

I had adrenal fatigue before the TT, I just didn't know it until after the TT because now it's very obvious.

I hate this.  So, I agree with xanu...if a doctor tells you to remove your thyroid RUN!! (unless you have cancer of course)

[grammy03]

Hi, I had a thyroidectomy done 19 years ago with a nodule(goiter).  The path report indicated chronic thyroditis.  the surgeon said he removed all .  Needless to say this past Sept I started feeling the lump in my throat at all times and burning in the throat.  After several tests my doctor said that I had residual thyroid and it had to be removed.  I had surgery on Feb 11th and the path report was the same as 19 years ago chronic thyroiditis,  I feel terrible since surgery, I am having pressure in my chest and shoulder blades and around back hurt.  Don't know what this is neither does my md.  He sent me for a chest xray.  Did anyone have these symptoms and if so is there an answer for it?

[tulips01]

Hi all, i had Graves 20 years ago, yeh had the opp... and after all that time i resentley..had another child aafter all this time BINGO...its back so never feel to comfortable .  cause it can sneak back and this time its like hell,

[ksmo4]

I had a TT almost 3 weeks ago. I had grave's disease with a large multi goiter. The first week I had so much energy, since then I've grown very tired. I'm on 150mcg of Synthroid and just started 5 mg of cytomel two days ago. My doctor said to take them at the same time but from what I'm reading maybe I should try the cytomel about an hour and a half after the synthroid. My husband tells me around 3 o'clock every afternoon I look so pale and I get a tired feeling over me. The one BIG plus after my TT is that I can breath again. I didn't realize how much my goiter was affecting my breathing. It was putting pressure on my trach and on my chest. Just that makes it all worthwhile, the other stuff will come along I feel. It just takes time.

[xanu603]

Hello,

I have had a total removal of my TT said it was graves disease(still dont know what that is) never had any problems now I feel like I am choking.  The best advise if a dr tells you that you need to remove your thyroid RUN I dont think it is necessary to remove it as it seems to function every part of your body.  I too am now experiencing hot sweating which I never had before.  There is a chinese remedy called Thyroid Thoru whhich if I had known before my operation I would have taken instead.

Choking

[artsavvy]

I am 56 now and was diagnosed with goiter at age 25, so long time on Synthroid. I had a TT 3 days ago and I feel wonderful. More energy than I have had in years. I have asthma too and now after the thyroid is out I can breathe better. No whizzing on expiration. I no longer have a lump in my throat on swallowing. I still have to wait for the pathology report but will not stress over that either...what is, just is. I struggled with committting to surgery but now that it is gone I am relieved. Had three docs who thought it should come out...who wants to do biopsies every 6 months and be cold and draggy all the time. Most times I just wanted to lay down even though the lab values were within normal range. Normal range is where I have questions. Anyone who knows me know I am not normal. Little humor. Everyone that sees me notices the skinny neck. I am overwieght and have been unable to lose anything without starving myself. It was not normal. Seems the multinodual goiter was much larger than originally suspected with the ultrasounds. Doc real pleased with himself for taking it out because it was pressing on everything. One of the weirdest things is that I had a pinched nerve in my neck that casued pain in my arm if I held my head in the wrong position. It is gone. I am on 125 now and will remain on it for awhile to see how body adjust. I am taking two tums with each meal.My appetite has subsided and so far with God's blessings I feel great. Hardly any pain with recovery. To be fair I have had many orthopedic surgeries so my pain level tolerance is probably streteched pretty far out there. The surgery is not painful, the worse part is from the intubation to put you under general anesthesia. Take heart my TT friends and know that TT may be the beginning of a new life. If you don't get the answers you want find another doc. Always start with an internist and then the edocrinologist state what you want with them both and take your facts with you. Remember they work for you.

[weeener]

I am post TT 5 days and feel terrible. No energy, no apetite, nauseated, feel depressed.  I feel shaky in the morning and then it gets a little better towards the evening. Spoke to my endocrin and she said body just needs time to adjust. Hope it will not take long as I am already unable to work related to voice issues from intubation. Can anyone say how long it takes to at least get some energy back?   I am on 125mcgs synthroid and 4000mg calcium per doctors orders.

[adutch]

try a course of predisone it could be an allergic reaction to the antestic. i get the cough now after every surgery and believe me i have had a few starting with a total thyroid removal and gall bladder (same time 2 for 1 they called it and took 6 hrs) i am fighting the cough now after having a knuckle removed from my left thumb but find that a 5 day course of the predisone usually takes care of it 5 on day 1 then 4 on day 2 etc.

[sunshiny_55]

I am 6 days post-surgery. I had a partial thyroidectomy due to a large non-cancerous nodule that was causing swallowing difficulties. I have been extremely fatigued since surgery and I also get hot flashes and nausea. I see a few others have felt this way too... have any of you gotten over it yet? I sure hope so! I hope I don't always feel this way! I want my nodule back, if so....

[STRAZ]

DID ANYONE DEVELOP A COUGH AFTER SURGERY I AM JUST 4 WEEKS POST OP AND 2 WEEKS POST OP I STARTED COUGHING AT NIGHT THOUGHT IT WAS ALLERGIES GOT RID OF MY NEW BEDDDING AND STILL CONTINUES WORSE AT NIGHT SOMEONE PLEASE HELP !! - MARYANN
IN GREENWICH -

[greatmom67]

I also had extreme fatigue after the surgery, I am 16 days post surgery and I still feel tired and have to lay down and rest.  I am also on 1500mgs of calcium and one pill of calcitrol daily besides the synthroid. I would like to know if anyone with a complete thyroidectomy suffers from palpitations.  Frequently I am plagued with these palpitations and they are very uncomfortable.