3 months after partial thyroidectomy

[Catpop17]

Hello all you lovely helpful people. I’m now 3 months post partial thyroidectomy and could do with some advice again!

I feel I've come to a complete standstill in my recovery. Still have a very stiff and sore neck (especially the strap muscles) and my voice has lost all of its top range 😢. I’m a newsreader and singer so my voice is my life!!

My speech therapist seems to think there’s no reason why it won’t recover but it gets so strained and tired and if anything is worse than a couple of months ago! I can’t see how it will improve! Should I rest it more or continue to try and use it as normal?

I’m also feeling pretty tired, flaky nails and thinning hair with dreadful carpal tunnel at night and achey joints but my bloods came back totally normal before Christmas!

I wondered if anyone could give me some hope about how long the recovery takes and if I’m ever going to feel like I’m back to normal??!!!

Thanks so much in advance and sorry to moan on!!!

J x

[Hidden]

Your voice should be fine now after three months. Did you have a very experienced surgeon?

[Catpop17 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply! Yes, a very experience surgeon. My vocal chords weren’t damaged but I can’t reach any high notes and it gets very strained and croaky. Really upsetting! It feels like I’m being strangled and the strap ligaments are still very tight and sore! Any advice?

[Hidden]

You haven't told us anything about your medication or posted your blood test results, people will respond if you do.

[Catpop17 in reply to Hidden]

My blood results were absolutely normal and I’m not on any medication! X

[Hidden in reply to Catpop17]

Perhaps it would be a good idea to post you results on here including the ranges for answers. What Doctors call normal often are not optimal.

I used a good honey a small desert spoon every morning it help with any bacteria and it good for the throat too.

[Rosebud1955]

Rosebud1955

Hi, i’m New to this forum, just thought I would give you some much needed encouragement. I had total thyroidectomy by a VERY experienced surgeon. I lost my voice as well, very frustrating, i’m Not a professional singer, but I sing all day around my house. It scared me, I felt as though I had lost my eye sight. It took 9 months before I felt normal again. There are two laryngeal nerves, one became paralyzed (neuropraxy). It wasn’t damaged or cut in anyway. I slowly recovered over time, it was frightening for me as well. Be patient, as long as it was not damaged during surgery, it will recover, give it time. My surgeon told me that it sometimes happen due to prolonged exposure. You see, the good surgeons push the nerves aside to prevent them from being severed. I’m now 18 months post op, I still feel a little weakness at times, but I can sing again. At my last check up 6 m9nths ago, the surgeon told me I was 95% recovered, i’m Probably 99% at this point, I feel normal. Be strong, it will be alright. Thyroid surgery is hell, one can never be prepared enough.

Stay positive, best wishes.

[Catpop17 in reply to Rosebud1955]

Oh wow! I’m so pleased for you that you have your voice back and so grateful for you taking the time to reply! Yes, my surgeon pushed the nerves aside so I’m hoping the year haven’t been damaged and my vocal chords have been checked. You’ve given me so much hope!

I also have a throat infection at the moment which isn’t helping at all!

It really is hell isn't it! I had no idea. I use my voice all the time for work and I’m really struggling to get through the day! How long did it take to get your voice range back?

Your total thyroidectomy sounds very tough to go through. Thanks so much for your advice!

My surgeon has discharged me and no one seems particularly interested in my voice. I can speak and that seems to be enough for them! My range is much lower and it get so sore and tired. Should I get referred again? Is there anything they can do? X

[Rosebud1955 in reply to Catpop17]

Hi, It took a full year to regain my range. Like I said, I’m 18 months post op and I still get the occasional weakness. I think my range is 99% back. I’m sorry to hear that you were discharged so early. I have my two-year check up with the surgeon in August. I see my endocrinologist every three months and occasionally in between for blood work analysis. It has been a struggle for me. I had to instruct the endocrinologist as to what blood work he should order. Initially, he was relying on tsh only. I started on 125mcg synthroid immediately after surgery. At my first follow up appointment ( 4 weeks post op ) he immediately changed my dose to 112mcg, because he said my tsh was too low (0.5) Everything was very new to me so I did not ask any questions. I have not been well since the change in dose. I have put on 12 pounds since then, pains and swelling in my knees and ankles, my face is like a moon, I look six months pregnant. My muscles are weak and stiff, it’s a chore to get up and down stairs, I have lost half my hair. He continues to adjust my doses, even added 10mcg of T3. Now he has me on 100mcg synthroid and 10mcg Cytomel (t3). I still feel under medicated. I follow all the instructions regard keeping supplement 4 hours apart. I take my meds at 6am and don’t have breakfast until 10am. It’s very frustrating.

It was a blessing bumping on to this site, I have learned so much, everyone is so knowledgeable, more knowledgeable than the endocrinologists.

Please stay positive and strong, we get the support from this site that we don’t ge from the doctors.

Blessings to all the good people on this site.

Rosebud1955.

[Catpop17 in reply to Rosebud1955]

I’m so sorry to hear how much of a struggle you’ve been having. Well done for getting so informed and not giving up. You deserve a medal! It’s so strange that everything official you read about a thyroidectomy (parties or full) is so matter of fact and you should be right as rain in two weeks! How far from the truth that is!

Good to know your voice is ok now though. A good song song round the house does wonders for your soul!

For me, I’ve seen speech therapists and physios but no one really knows what to do with me. I’ve researched a good ENT consultant in London I will get referred to and go from there. It’s pretty grim how abandoned people are after surgery. This site is a god send! X

[Pinktijen in reply to Rosebud1955]

Hi. See my post below. Had a partial in Dec. Full thyriodectomy being done on 25th Feb. Currently on no meds. I am cacking myself about meds..... zero to full on. Plus i am allergic to most fillers. I have 3 weeks to get a plan of my own. Advice welcome! Thank you.

[Pinktijen]

Wow. I have just stumbled across this thread. You are describing me!!! Had left thyroid removed on Dec 12th and am mortified about the loss of range in my voice. Identical to you. Neck strap too.

I went back to my endo who put a camera up my nose and down my throat to look at my vocal chords. All working well. He said it is most likely to be the neck muscles as they switch off or get lazy after the surgery. He has to split them and move in surgery. In some cases can be permanently damaged but rare he said. He was quite abrupt saying his primary aim was to cure me of thyriod cancer.....and i may have to live with a damaged voice if it doesn't get better. But early days for me.

I even had a few panic attacks when i tried to use voice but couldn't. Made me claustrophobic.

After seeing my specialist, on my long drive home i pushed my voice to try and sing along to a few songs. Since then i have regained a bit more of my higher range!!!!

He also said the tube down your throat for the operation can affect it too.

Sadly for me i am due to go back for a total thyroidectomy on 25th Feb as the cancer is still there. I am petrified of what may happen to my voice this time as it is a longer operation he said. Plus not recovered from December.

A mum at school had a total 8 years ago... she says she is now unable to shout.

Keep in touch so we can compare any progress!!! Good luck.

[Rosebud1955]

Hi, i’m so sorry to hear that you have to undergo another surgery so soon. It’s unfortunate that the surgeon didn’t do the total the first time. My cancer was just on one side but the surgeon insisted on doing the total. He said that most times the other side is cancerous but undetected. I was reluctant, but since he insisted I gave in. Now i’m Happy I did. I wish you success and hope you will have no further damage. Excessive exposure of the nerve can cause temporary paralysis, it takes time but it usually recover. Yes, you’re correct, the damage can also be due to intubation. Have faith, be strong, everything will be alright. I thought I would never be able to sing again, but now i’m O.k. How is your recovery coming along? Are you having problem converting to t3? That’s my biggest problem. I don’t believe that I’m taking the correct dose. (100mcg Levo, 12.5 mcg cytomel. I went from 160 lbs to 180 lbs. i’m terrified that I might become diabetic. How about you? It’s a horrific journey, i’m thankful for this forum, I have learned so much. Good luck with your surgery.

Rosebud1955.