how long will this mess last?

[mommy2two2008]

I really hate my thyroid!!!! Just when I started to feel better, the swelling is back with a vengeance!!!!! the Isthmus and right side is very noticeable  to me on swallowing now.  I could never see the isthmus before, just feel it.  AND - I think I feel something on it now that feels just like a little grain on it  My head feels like I am either getting over a slight hang over or have the flu and my neck muscles hurt (the back ones too).  Just sitting still, it feels like I have strained my throat (you know, like the feeling you get the day after you scream too much at a ballgame).  This is the first time I've had the strained throat feeling. Also, just had a ring in my right ear that lasted a full 2 minutes.  I am still on the antibiotics and on the Levothyroxine.

In my mind, I think its hashi now.  So, what do they do for that really?  Do you eventually have the thyroid out for that?  Will the swelling ever subside for good if you have hashi?  How often do they do a FNA to confirm Hashi?


I HATE THIS AND WANT MY NORMAL LIFE (WITHOUT SWELLING AND CRAZY FEELINGS) BACK!  

[mommy2two2008]

Well......... no one has mentioned running one.  I have another endo appt for followup blood on 6/5 and the surgeon on 6/10 (remember the ENT sent me to the surgeon - surgeon found the swollen glands that my ENT missed).

I am hoping that the endo will order further testing.  Is it in my mind or does it warrant further testing?  I just am not comfortable with the endo just saying well your fine with the continued intermittent swelling.  The thyroid scan sounds like a good idea.  Shouldn't he also do the T3 and both antibodies?

If he does not, I do have a back up, the surgeon.  I feel SURE the surgeon will order a CT or MRI - he is friends with my boss and we do his med-mal defense work.  I really want the CT or MRI b/cause of the additional enlarged nodes, does that make since?  

[898]

The bllod test if autoimmune (Hashimoto’s) thyroiditis is suspected, as a rule, will show the noticeable increase of TPO antibodies; it is also possible (wild guess), that inflamed lymph nodes are pressing on thyroid blood vessels causing it to swell.
When do you have iodine uptake scan?
It should show the difference between hasimoto's and subacute conditions

[mommy2two2008]

LOL - Thank you really!  You always give me good insight.  Now - what do you have on Hashi - can't the test results show normal at first?  If so, what is the prog on Hashi with a swelling goiter?

[898]

This was the most informative article I found. Feel better soon

[mommy2two2008]

Thank you!  The thought has crossed my mind to just cut it out myself today.  I am really really worried about this because I have these swollen glands along that side of the neck.  

[898]

Laboratory tests in the early phase of disease may reveal:
• High serum thyroglobulin level
• Low radioactive iodine uptake
• Low serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level
• High serum free T4 (thyroid hormone, thyroxine) level
• High erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
Laboratory tests in the later phase of disease may show:
• High serum TSH level
• Low serum free T4
Anti-thyroid antibodies are either undetectable or present at low levels. Thyroid gland biopsy shows characteristic "giant cell" inflammation. Laboratory abnormalities return to normal as the condition goes away.
Treatment    
The purpose of treatment is to reduce pain and inflammation and to treat any hyperthyroidism, if present. Anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen are used to control pain in mild cases of subacute thyroiditis.
More serious cases may require temporary treatment with steroids (for example, prednisone) to control inflammation.
Outlook (Prognosis)    
Spontaneous improvement is the rule, but the illness may persist for months. Long-term or severe complications do not usually occur.
Possible Complications  
• relapse of subacute thyroiditis
.
Update Date: 5/12/2006
Updated by: Robert Hurd, MD, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

[nellster]

Phew, know how you feel.  IT is such a rollercoaster ride.  I am unsure how to answer I'm sure others will.  I just wanted to chime in on all the crazy feeling stuff......