Made a desicion, went private

[TwigwithaWig]

I was referred to ENT in November about my goitre by an Anaesthetist. I've been on carbimazole coming up to a year and every single 6 weeks i am over medicated. Stopped meds for 2 weeks, or 6 weeks and hey presto I'm back to severely over. Now hairless. I found the name of the Consultant I'd been referred to and booked yesterday to see him privately Today. I asked his receptionist did she know the cost of surgery if i needed it. She couldn't give me an exact price (which i thought was weird), nearer to £10.000 was her answer, i nearly died😳. Consultaion was £250 upront. The receptionist must have relayed my life story to him as i gave it to her 😂. He was careful not to criticise my Endo, but not impressed my goitre which has doubled in size since being ultra sounded and 1 FNA last April. He drew a picture explaining what needs doing, removing, risk to voice box ect. What do you think he asked. Well, it depends on how much it's going to cost i said. You won't be paying anything. You are having it done on the NHS and i will be performing the op. So glad i went. At least now i know it does need removing and hopefully i will stop looking like a Twig eventually, and maybe look more like a branch , with hair 😁. Thankyou to those who gave me encouragement to go, was fedupoftrying x

[TiggerMe]

Excellent result 👏👏

[TwigwithaWig in reply to TiggerMe]

Thankyou 😁

[waveylines]

So delighted for you. Sounds like a caring consultant. Rare breed. 🤗🤨🤨🤨

[TwigwithaWig in reply to waveylines]

Yes, i was really shocked 😳😁

[Britpol]

Hi,

If the op involves partial removal, there is a chance (30%) the remaining thyroid will grow again . Total removal carries a risk of parathyroids being damaged and problems with calcium absorption subsequently. I had a total removal and don’t regret it . Having to take calcium supplements that I don’t tolerate very well ( very dry mouth) but overall my quality of life is much improved ( much better digestion and no visits to gastroenterologist!

[TwigwithaWig in reply to Britpol]

Thankyou for that. You've got me now? I assumed he ment all of it🤪. He said i would then be Hypothyroid and Gp would medicate me. He brushed on lacking calcium, I'll have to google and continue learning🤔🙂

[Britpol]

You are welcome. I hope your GP is better than your Endo who should be looking after you after surgery until your blood test results have stabilised but be prepared to do your own private, thyroid, vitamin, tests the NHS funding progressed from bad to disastrous. Do note that most GPs think that doing just TSH is enough ; well, as you will have learned from this Forum, it is not. Your GP will probably test Bone ( calcium). Good luck!

[TwigwithaWig in reply to Britpol]

Thankyou for the heads up. I think my Gps are better than my Endo as far as time goes. I've never met her. I have a 2 or 5 minute call from her every 6 to 8 weeks for her to tell me what differing dose to take. She doesn't like questions. Has never asked me if i have any. I had to do my own detective work to find out how to contact her🤪. Only by email through her secretary😳. She has never replied or contacted me to answer the serious questions i put to her, i have no faith in her. I am a hairdresser, i went almost bald from prolonged and severe thyroid while in her care for a year. Did she reply/care? NO. A friend popped in, found me sobbing over my hair. She couldn't get hold of Endo, she rang my Gp. The Gp rang me back later in the day and actually listened to me through my sobs. She sent me for several blood tests and sympathised, a tonic in it's self, didn't help the hair😂, but she perked me up. Hair has stopped falling out and has grown enough for me to leave wig off. Levels no further forward so could begin to fall again, i am prepared, have wig😁. Most people here are under active and this is what I'll be after surgery whenever that is. I think i will have more care as you say with Gps, there are about 5 at our surgery and easily contacted Face to Face😁. Doing homework on calcium, forearmed is forwarned, thanks 😁