Aa
Hemithyroidectomy last week and keep coughing!
A week ago today, i went in for surgery to have half my Thyroid 'removed'. Since then i've had a cough.. Mostly dry but sometimes there is a little bit of something to cough up. Mostly i have that horrible feeling where just breathing out makes me feel like i need to cough! It gets quite bad at night and i'm finding it hard to sleep.. Also, coughing REALLY doesn't feel good after surgery in that area >.<
It looks like it may be a common 'side effect' but thought i'd ask to see if anyone else has felt this way after surgery?
Also, starting yesterday i've had this feeling lower in my chest. Like a tightness/something stuck in there.. when swallowing food i don't feel it but saliva/drink feels like it's pushing on something on the way down (lower than the cut/thyroid. Around where breasts start, right in the middle/feels like it's just under the skin. Assuming it's something to do with the esophagus) and it also makes me feel like i need to cough!
It looks like it may be a common 'side effect' but thought i'd ask to see if anyone else has felt this way after surgery?
Also, starting yesterday i've had this feeling lower in my chest. Like a tightness/something stuck in there.. when swallowing food i don't feel it but saliva/drink feels like it's pushing on something on the way down (lower than the cut/thyroid. Around where breasts start, right in the middle/feels like it's just under the skin. Assuming it's something to do with the esophagus) and it also makes me feel like i need to cough!
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Thanks so much for the replies! The chest pain/tightness has got much better since i posted this. The coughing is still there but i don't think it's an infection (at least not yet!). Just have to see how things go. I actually got a good sleep without coughing last night and have felt better today so hopefully i keep improving! Funny how you think that surgery is going to make you feel better but really, you have a looong way to go before you feel okay >.< Fingers crossed nothing else comes up!
Ditto on what Red said. Also, post surgical respiratory infections are not uncommon. If your cough worsens, if you develop a temperature, or if the phlegm color becomes yellow or green, you have an infection brewing. Things that should help you at home: humidified air, a steamy shower or bath 1-2X/day, plenty of fluids (water, juice, jello, teas). Also, vitamin D 5000-10,000 units/day for a short time boosts your immune system and helps fight off opportunistic bugs. ~MM
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The coughing is again, normal. It is due to the anesthetic and the intubation tube. In hospital when I had the two surgeries, I was encouraged to cough, as they know this is a normal situation. (even for other surgeries!) Try to use your diaphragm to push the cough up, rather than your throat. It makes it much easier to cough all that yukky stuff up! It should clear up in no time.