Post parathyroid surgery

[red61051]

I had a parathyroid gland removed on 3/2.  I had general anesthesia.  I feel like I have anxiety but it's not.  Some tingling in my legs only.  I am taking 4 caltrate tablets a day with vit D. Just wondering if it takes awhile to go away.  I go to doctor on 3/10.  

[medicmommy]

An easy reflex test to check for low calcium (I can't remember the name of it at the moment)...Find the spot on you cheek (outside) where it is just below your cheekbone at were the teeth from both jaws meet (it varies slightly in location). Tap that area (goal is to tap on the facial nerve that goes through that area) with a finger. If you trigger muscle twitches that affect your mouth corner, lips or nose -your calcium level is low. (Kewl, huh?)~MM

[red61051]

Before I left hospital doctor told me to take 2-600mgvit.D supplements. I've been taking 4.  I do also take a nexium everyday. I have no other symptoms except the shakiness. I do have some constipation issues but not sure if it's the calcuim. It sure feels like anxiety.  I hope this goes away soon.  I see doctor on Tuesday.  Thanks for the info at least I know somewhat what it is. I was just stressing about how I was feeling since no one told me this might happen.

[ChitChatNine]

Great advice above .... Have they checked your TSH levels at all to be certain the thyroid gland itself didn't get knicked during the surgery and cause the levels to change?  If that happens, usually a person will go hypo but some people get anxiety symptoms with hypo even though the majority get it while hyper.  Just another thought.

I get that anxiety when my TSH is <1.5 ... I know exactly what you describe.

C~
partial thyroidectomy '07

[medicmommy]

Hello!
You probably have "hungry bone" syndrome -a common effect when the PTH level suddenly drops post surgery...
How many mg is your Caltrate? I had to take 4000 mg for the first 3 weeks, and then a minimum of 2000 mg per day for six months (I used calcium citrate) when I was post PT surgery...It is normal to get the buzzing, tingles, cramps, etc to some degree for the first few weeks until your body adjusts to the lower calcium levels...If it really bad, then get liquid calcium (if it calcium citrate, it absorbs more completely.) Are you on antiacids or acid suppressing meds? If so, this will hamper the calcium absorption a bit...Once again, if it is calcium citrate, it will absorb better because it is already "acidified"...The initial "anxiety" sensation goes away fairly quickly as your calcium levels start to settle...If you have chest pains or irregular heartbeats, be sure to get checked out immediately -sometimes the calcium level can go TOO low and can cause problems...Hang in there, it gets better! (((((HUGZ))))))~MM