total thyroidectomy

[hrdlckwmn]

due to my Hashimoto's and my thyroid growing by 1/3 in six months, developing new nodules and the others growing as well... it has been decided that it needs to go. Does anyone have any experience with this good or bad??

I'm kinda scared that I might lose my voice or end up with a tracheotomy. I know those are worst case, but with my history I try to be prepared. I trust my dr who sent me to the endo, I've trusted him to biopsy the other nodules .... so I kinda trust the surgeon, except his sense of humor bugs me. DH seems to be okay with it, but when talking about my neck, I want someone serious. I know that its a common procedure, but its my neck...................

thanks, donna

[Mothernature]

Your biggest concerns are the hormone changes due to the lack of thyroid. You will also be on Synthroid the rest of your life.

Good luck!

[nurseannette]

If you're not comfortable with your surgeon, seek another opinion. It is a major surgery and you need to be assured you are in good hands. I am a nurse and currently have a patient that comes to our transfusion clinic almost everyday for the last 4 years for IV infusions of calcium & magnesium. These infusions are 2-4hrs long each day depending on her lab values. She had a total thyroidectomy and all of her parathyroid glands were inadvertantly removed or damaged. It has been a life altering thing for her, plus it will most likely shorten her life span. She is only 40. As the previous poster said, you will be on a synthetic hormone but it is the least of your concerns. Please make sure you are comfortable with your surgeon.

Goodluck and keep us posted.

[luvscoming2usall]

I second the second. Definitely do exhaustive research, follow your gut and you'll make a right, informed judgment. In remission from Graves disease for 18 years and never regret going off the medicine. Doc didn't ever say it could go away. MIL had the thyroid removed and does well with synthrax, no biggie once the dosage was figured and levels checked.

[uummm]

My neighbor had hers removed a few years ago (she was probably 40yrs old too)...I remember I drove her kids to school for the week afterwards. She is totally fine now though she has to take the meds for the rest of her life. I have never heard her complain of any problems she has had because of it.

[hrdlckwmn]

Thanks everyone.
I have confidence in the surgeon's ability (everyone i have talked to seconds that he is a good surgeon), just his sense of humor leaves something to be desired. I admit, I probably started the whole thing with my own warped humor. I would like it if he took it a little more seriously and had an opening before May 9. Still waiting to hear if the other doctor that is supposed to help will be able to. Is it bad if one surgeon wants another to help take out your thyroid with him???

Anyways..... thanks for the thoughts..

[hrdlckwmn]

Update......

got the call today to schedule surgery ... May 9 ..

i can't believe i have to wait two months for the surgeon/hospital schedule to line up.

oh well.....................

Thanks everyone.
I have confidence in the surgeon's ability (everyone i have talked to seconds that he is a good surgeon), just his sense of humor leaves something to be desired. I admit, I probably started the whole thing with my own warped humor. I would like it if he took it a little more seriously and had an opening before May 9. Still waiting to hear if the other doctor that is supposed to help will be able to. Is it bad if one surgeon wants another to help take out your thyroid with him???

Anyways..... thanks for the thoughts..