Having My Thyroid Removed

[nicolalou89]

Hi all,

So its been some time since I last posted, I was only diagnosed with hyperthyroidism back in December with ridiculously high levels, since then I've been diagnosed with graves disease and most recently a really angry case of thyroiditis!

I've been on steroids for around 6 weeks now and still feel bi better, saw my endocrinologist 3 weeks ago who's referred me to ENT. Went and saw them last Thursday and they've put me down as clinically urgent for having my thyroid removed, I've got multiple goitres and my thyroid keeps swelling to the point that I can't eat and sometimes struggle to drink! I've got my pre op on Monday next week and my surgery should be soon after.

Don't get me wrong I'm terrified and I've said to my partner that I don't want my kids to see me when I'm in hospital, they've explained that I'll likely have a drain fitted for my hospital stay to ensure that everything is ok and all of my levels checked every couple of hours.

Not really looking for anything but to update everyone on how things are!!

Hope you're all keeping well

[Fruitandnutcase]

Oh Nicolalou, I’ve got no experience of what you’re going through other than I had Graves and that’s pretty horrible but I’m sending you my very best wishes.

I can see why you don’t want your kids in to see you in hospital. I was taken into hospital in advance of having my second child, there was nothing really wrong with me or anything horrible to see like drains and drips but to be honest I found visiting time when my husband brought him in quite tiring and he was a very quite 3 year old. Then I felt guilty that I found it tiring so try and look on your stay as time for you to rest and concentrate on yourself. Good luck with it all.

[Hidden]

I can appreciate your anxieties. I had a total thyroidectomy in 2012 and was terrified at the prospect. When I actually had the op it wasn’t as awful as I’d anticipated. I was discharged from hospital after 24 hours.

[nicolalou89 in reply to Hidden]

Hi everywhere2 I know it's been a while since.i posted, I'm now 12 days away from surgery and my anxiety is through the roof. Would you possibly mind if I asked you a few questions regarding your experience with surgery

[Hidden in reply to nicolalou89]

No problem. I’ll PM you and we can have a chat. That’s less clunky than doing it in here 😉

[Highroid]

I can completely understand your anxiety about the operation. Your thyroid is currently ruling your life in one way or another, so taking it out will be a big thing, right? I had a total thyroidectomy a few weeks ago, and was also discharged within about 24 hours. My energy levels have felt so much better almost immediately after the operation, I'm feeling like I am on a more even keel. (I am taking it easy as you should do after an operation, but really enjoying not having my metabolism in overdrive the whole time).

The "drain" was a thin plastic tube attached to a plastic ball (a bit like a laundry detergent ball?) to make sure that blood and gunk was draining. It just below the incision in the neck. It was a bit weird to have it just hanging from my neck, but as soon as they were sure it wasn't filling up any more, the nurse very gently removed it. The nurses and other (NHS) hospital staff were so lovely and caring throughout.

Other than a bit of discomfort around the incision scar (which paracetamol is dealing with), and needing to find a comfortable position to sleep for the first few nights, I haven't really felt any effects of the surgery except a gravelly voice for a day or two. Hope the operation goes well, and you get enough time to rest and recuperate afterwards.

[nicolalou89 in reply to Highroid]

Hi highroid, would you possibly mind if I asked you a few questions about your experience with the surgery? I'm 12 days away and my anxiety is through the roof

[Highroid in reply to nicolalou89]

sure, feel free to direct message if you'd prefer

[pennyannie]

Hey there again :

We can pick things up again once you are through the operation :

So keep us in the loop and take good care :