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?

[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