really sick after thyroidectomy

[Joanna334]

I had thyroidectomy June 22, 2010.  Ever since this surgery I have been really sick with stomach pain and severe acid reflux.  I had two parathyroids removed and take calcium supplements.  During the day I have acid reflux that is really bad.  When I lay down I get a lot of pain. So much that I cannot sleep much. At about 6 am every morning it get really bad pain and nausea.  The abdominal pain is very intense and makes me cry.  It feels like food poisoning every night. I take nexium, and antacids.  Nothing seems to alleviate the pain. I was hospitalized because of the diarreah I was having.  CT scan, endoscopy,stool study came back normal.  I was diagnosed with chronic gastritis.  My question is if its the calcium, what can I do because right now I depend on it.  My doctors do not know what to do and I just want to rest and not be in so much pain.  I am young and very scared. I do not know what to do.  any suggestions or experts I can see would be appreciated. I live in NYC. Thanks joana

[redheadaussie]

Ask to be checked for Helicobacter pylori  commonly known as H.pylori. It is a bacteria which causes ulcers and also in many people a bad case of chronic gastritis.
It is a simple breath test and one not all doctors know about.

There are other causes for your symptoms. Taking anti-inflammatory medication, anti-cholesterol tablets, some forms of the birth control pill, even the brand of calcium supplement you take can all affect the tummy! So it may be a good idea to start at the base level and eliminate perhaps the calcium by taking something else.  I note you are in USA, so starting with a cheap method before going for the H.pylori test might be the way to go.

[logansrun]

Calcium pills are the worst! take more  is there answer to everything! I'll spare you my story! Ask your Dr for an IV of Calcium as opposed to the oral supplements. Liquid calcium gets into your system quicker. Any Dr can order it, it's a pain (iv wise) have to go through the emergency room, but it beats the supplements. It's tough to get the Dr to order it... All you can do is ask! and if he won't! switch Drs! they are not always right! I learned that the hard way!
I've been fighting for 2 years and 6 months 1 week and 10 hours since my total thyroidectomy. they damaged my parathyroids and my body has never been the same! I've live in the tiwlight zone, and so don't we all!

[mrsomes]

I get sick on all dosages of synthroid except the 50 mg which doesn't have a bunch of fillers.  I take 100 mg a day and do it by taking 2 50 mg pills.   When I needed to take 75mg I cut the pills.    If you can do it I would try that.  I also have to take calcium and almost all of the pills make me really sick to my stomach.   I found that the natural calcium chews that taste like chocolate or caramel are much easier on my stomach.   So is taking a few regular TUMS.  For acid reflux I drink a juice sized glass of all natural papaya juice every morning and it keeps it at bay.   Good luck.

[Damask]

Hi,
I was told my stool samples were negative too. And so were the biopsies they took when I had an endoscopy -  but I still had neverending diarhea, nausea and a great deal of pain. The gastroenterologist, after giving me the results of my tests asked if any of my doctors had tried me on antibiotics yet. They hadn't and I felt a huge improvement in my symptoms when I was subsequently prescribed them, From the results of the antibiotics, the gastro then ordered the hydrogen breathe tests.  They showed   a high positive for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth ("SIBO") and fructose/lactose malabsorbtion (which  SIBO often brings about).
I don't know if you have the same problem as me , but asking for a test for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth test certainly could be beneficial, particularly as, like me. doctors don't know why you are having symptoms. Having a diagnosis certainly changed my life for the better. The test is painless.
As I said in my last post though, I haven't had the same operation as you have  Did your doctors mention that stomach problems can be a problem after the operation? I am sorry to hear that you have had such a hard time.
I knew I was not absorbing the calcium at the time because I just diarrhea-ed them out again!! I am so much better now and take calcium supplements with no problems. I had to treat the SIBO first.
I wish you all the best and hope you feel better very soon.

[ChitChatNine]

Hi,

I know someone who at age 10  had 2 sets of all tests for him come back negative for similar symptoms and they treated for a parasite regardless of the tests and within 24 hrs he started to feel better and it went away with the strong med for parasite.  Probably something from water.

Does anything you are taking for the antacid contain calcium carbonate?  My daughter gets worse stomach distress when she takes anything including that .. so her Mylanta is the one missing that ingredient as well as her Pepcid.

Were you on reflux meds prior or is this all all very new for you right after the surgery?

*****COULD IT BE your thyroid meds?  Maybe switch brands?  Maybe you are allergic to something in the thyroid med ..... allergies and reflux can go hand in hand and be very server with reflux + GI as you describe.*****

C~

[Joanna334]

I was severely hypo after surgery.  It is possible that this created a bad imbalance.  Then I had radiation soon after in high dosage.  I was also on a lot of calcium.  I am anemic as well. It's amazing how doctors seem to dismiss us so easy.  I was at the hospital and since they could not find anything they let me go home in pain.  They did stool studies on me for bacterial overgrowth and they said everything came back negative.  I am curious you said they did stool studies on you. How is the hydrogen breathe test different? and what is Sibo?
Glad to hear your better. it ***** you have to be on antibiotics but I am glad it is nothing else and you got an answer. last question how did you know you were not absorbing the calcium. what were you symptoms?

[Damask]

H Joanice,

I'm sorry that you have had such a hard time after your operation. I wish I could give you some advice in relation to the thyroidectomy, but I don't know anything about the operation at all, I'm so sorry.

But I've been through a similar hellish experience as you with horrible stomach problems, neverending diarrhea, nausea, negative stool study, negative endoscopy, tears, bleeding etc. So, I really feel for you and can relate to you when you say 'if it's the calcium' - it feels that the culprit could be anything and it's a horrible experience.

After many months I eventually found a gastro specialist who was willing to keep testing. A hydrogen breathe test at a major hospital finally revealed a positive test for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, resulting in  fructose  and lactose malabsorption. Apparantly, hypothyroidism can be a contributory factor in that it can affect digestive  motility, which can result in SIBO.

I feel so much better now, but need to be on antibiotics several times a year and have modified my diet to foods I can absorb.

I'm sorry if this doesn't help you at all. It's just that it might be worth getting a hydrogen breath test, or asking your doctor to try antibiotics to help alleviate your pain. I know that at my worst I couldn't absorb calcium tablets either (I have osterperosis) and it really stressed me out.

As I said though, I have no idea about the post operative effects of the actual op and I hope someone can help with that. I hope that you feel much better soon and I wish you all the very best.