Something Stuck in my Throat

[daffadil]

One year ago I had bronchitis, high fever, was put on 2 different antibiotics that didn't work and was off work for 6 weeks.  Since then the feeling like flem was stuck in my throat, can't swallow it, can't cough it up. Nasal sprays, nothing would make a difference. Then I starting belching very loudly right after I would eat or drink anything and this continues today. Sometimes I would regurgitate my food or water before it could get past the bottom of what felt like my throat. I have no burning acid symptoms. I did try different over the counter items for gas but nothing made any difference. In Feb.08 I saw a throat specialist and he recommended Nexium. Not sure why and no changes with my symptoms yet. I was originally referred to him from a surgeon because my ultra sound revealed a 2-cm solid, cold nodule attached to the back of my thyroid and they thought it might be pressing on my vocal cord as my voice goes in and out and raspy at times. The thyroid tests are normal. I have been patiently waiting 6 weeks now for an FNA. They did say there is a good chance that I have one of the 1st two thyroid cancers. I don't have any pain in my neck. When I lay on my back my breathing becomes restricted with a tingling sensation in my brain/head. This will disappear in a few hours after movement.  I also can't endure any nervous, fear, highly emotional stuff as an 'adrenaline' feeling shots throughout my body instantly following a weakening in my limbs and then become very tired. I have noticed my eye whites aren't nice white anymore! I'm sure there is more but that's it for now. I feel hostage not knowing for sure what I have..and don't feel normal and in control of my situation anymore. Any thoughts? Thanks for your suggestions. Cheers Colleen

[daffadil]

I hope all goes well with you for your thyroid lobectomy on April 7th. If you are up to it and feel like sharing I would like to know how it goes. This too shall pass...isn't that what they say? Take care.

[dscoochie]

Oh, the ultrasound said it was in the isthmus which is the centre part of the thyroid.  The isthmus and left lobe are being removed during my surgery.

[dscoochie]

If the FNA is not confirmed benign or malignant, which many of them are not, then what they usually do is repeat the FNA and ultrasound for size in a few months.  However, if it is bothering you, it may need to come out anyway without waiting for another round of test.  Are you sure your symptoms arent phychosomatic?  I know that for a while when I was told they DIDN'T find cancer on the FNA, and misunderstood this to mean it wasnt cancer, I felt better for a couple of weeks.  Then, once I saw the endocrinologist and he told me it still could be cancer as the FNA also samples a small area, all of a sudden I started feeling symptoms again.  So for me, I know I obsess with things and that makes the symptoms worse.  

Either way, I want this !@#$% thing out and although I'm terrified, I guess I'll know what's going on soon enough.

My advice to you is to do what needs to be done in order to feel good again.  If that means having answers, then make sure you have all the tests, and if needed, surgery done to give you peace of mind and be back on the road to living life again.

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[daffadil]

Thanks for your insight. I do have an appt. April 3rd. So even if the FNA is mixed or inconclusive they still need to take parts of the thyroid to figure things out? How/when did they tell you it was in your isthmus? They just keep telling me it's attached to the back of my thyroid. I confirmed it wasn't a parathyroid - it's not. I can relate to the symptoms attached to that! April 3rd can't come fast enough... Cheers

[dscoochie]

Well, well, well.  Someone who is experiencing EXACTLY what I experienced.

I can certainly help you feel as if you are not going through this alone.

I noticed the huge growth in my throat days after I started feeling as if I couldnt swallow away the phlegm.  It was as if someone was always pressing on my windpipe, and another way I described it was as if always choking back the tears.

The ultrasound confirmed a 1.9cm nodule in the isthmus of my thyroid, and blood work showed no effects on my thyroid levels, so therefore a cold nodule.

The FNA was inconclusive and I'm having a thyroid lobectomy on April 7th.

Now, back to you...

I cant believe they told you that you have cancer when they havent done a FNA.  They certainly cant confirm anything without an FNA and sometimes without removal and pathology.  They may be able to tell you that it MAY be cancer, as some nodules are, but nothing is known yet.  (I wish I could take my own advice sometimes, as I'm SURE mine is cancer and that I'm doomed, even though I KNOW this cancer is highly curable).

Demand an FNA and do it soon.  Your nodule is definitely sitting on your trachea and that's why you are experiencing those symptoms.  Even if the FNA comes back clean, you may want to remove the growth (and part of your thyroid) so that those horrible choking symptoms are gone.  

There is great support / information on this forum and I'm sure someone with far more knowledge will respond to your post.  

However, I will be more than happy to continue to try to answer your questions.

Thinking of you,

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