I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and have been taking Methotrexate for a long time but I also have thyroid nodules which I have had for quite a few years . I had an ultrasound scan recently which confirmed this . Over the last couple of years though they have been causing me trouble with symptoms like pain in the neck an annoying cough and a choking feeling .
I also sing in a choir and it’s affecting that now as well .
These symptoms are really getting me down now especially as I have the RA as well and I wondered if you had any suggestions as to where I go from here .
I’ve heard of a new treatment called ablation for thyroid nodules but it sounds like that would be something I would have to pay for
My GP said he will refer me to a specialist but doesn’t feel he will do anything because the nodules are not big enough !
Thanks for reading
Sue
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Sue4983
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The other treatment your doctor may think you are referring to it radioactive active iodine (RAI) ablation, this will destroy most or all of the thyroid so is used for hyper functioning or when cancer is present. It is also sometimes used when thyroid is enlarged.
Your GP will likely be referring you to a ENT specialist & they do not access function of thyroid (they’ll assume the GP will take care of this) ENT will look at physical issues usually from a surgical viewpoint.
GP 's are behind with new treatment. Ablation treatment is still relatively new. But if you pay for the treatment it is quite likely you may get the go ahead for having it done. The NHS guidelines say that a nodule or nodules have to be over 2cm at the shortest axis to be considered for any treatment. So depending on which nodules are measuring at over 2cm depends on treatment.
Hi Sue,I did a ton of research and found many anecdotal positive results from ablation.
We don't do it here in Canada (or at least in Ontario) due to cost - I asked the why in my province - but some go the States and pay out of pocket.
However, when I was trying to decide what do do about my goitre - two of the modules were getting near 4 cm and those two being very poorly placed causing choking, breathing an voice issues - a surgeon told me some stories about ablation.
She told me she had had some patients that travelled abroad to get it done. For one specific patient it was successful for a time, but it grew back and grew back larger & deeper.
So have heard both sides of the coin on it. Difficult decisions.
Thank you for that . Interesting about the ablation though that it doesn’t always work. I didn’t realise that . I can see myself having to pay for treatment in the end as I don’t think I will get anywhere with our National Health Service .
Have you ever had a fine needle biopsy, if not you probably should. Losing your thyroid won’t necessarily fix your issues Im living proof of that Im thyroid-less and now have psoriatic arthritis and the only thing that has gotten better with my thyroidectomy is my hearing.
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