Can anyone help I have a multi nodular goitre a... - Thyroid UK

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Can anyone help I have a multi nodular goitre and have terrible trouble sleeping.

aliphoto profile image
10 Replies

I wake feeling as though I am suffocating many times every night. Docs say it's anxiety however I am sure that it isn't. Does anyone else have this with a goitre or am I making the wrong connection? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks

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aliphoto profile image
aliphoto
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elayneg profile image
elayneg

Hi

I have it most nights and it really isn't nice it hasn't been so bad since I started taking bugleweed which helped, I ran out an have noticed it coming back. I have nodules on my thyroid but the Endo I see says they are not a problem.

Of course none of my symptoms have anything to do with my thyroid so now I walk into her office and lie, mainly to see the look on her face.

I am Hyper probably Graves. I don't know what to tell you other than I know how horrible this feeling is and how hard it is to get back to sleep so the next day you are exhausted. I always thought there was a connection but I don't know what and have given up asking about it.

You could try Yoga or meditation that sometimes helps me

Hope it goes soon

Elayne

merissa profile image
merissa

I have a multinodular goitre and I feel something in my throat all the time. The ENT said lets wait and see if it gets bigger( wat the ..) it is not anxiety and dont be put of by this silly comment by the GP, its pants. I do feel though at times it is tolerable and other times it feels swelled and I wake up gasping, it more so at night when I lie down.

Hope this helps, not sure how to get rid of it though.

good luck, was your goitre small? x

puncturedbicycle profile image
puncturedbicycle in reply to merissa

What is it with GPs telling you that "it's anxiety"?? I've gone to my GP with anxiety in the past (trouble swallowing NOT being one of the symptoms) and I've gone when I'm not suffering from anxiety but definitely feeling a lump in my throat and he tells me "it's anxiety"! For god's sake I know what anxiety feels like and I'll tell you when I've got it.

I've had the odd anxiety attack when I had NO trouble swallowing. Why would it be anxiety when I'm lying in my bed at night reading a book and it feels like I've got something poking into my neck?

I despair.

merissa profile image
merissa in reply to puncturedbicycle

Its pants in it, yes me too, I have been in the past with anxiety no pain, no lump sensation. I agree, i do art and completely relaxed and know when Im anxious, i have to go to seminars sometimes and my anxiety kicks in ( normal reaction) the problem is I do get anxiety but perimenopause is the cause.

I no there is a disorder called globus hyteria, dont read will make you reall P off.

I think you gp as well as mine have no answer therfore anxiety is a cop out especially if your TSH is normal.

Reflux can also cause the lump in the throat sensation, hope someone sheds some lite on this, 2 years I have had this, I was also looking into sleep apnea, but I dont seem to meet all the criteria. I understand your frustration, apparently the goitre will spill out antibodies in the blood, when the goitr swells, these antibodies TPO and thyroglobulin cause aches and pains and swollowing issues.

I have had the scopes, nothing to declare, only a multinodular goire.

I was told to wait and see ( what) it is crap, I have this this as well more prominant not only at night but around my periods.

hope this helps

cross patient x

Nathalie70 profile image
Nathalie70

I have Graves but I know someone in your situation: she couldn't sleep because of an excess of progesterone - she wasn't hyper but for any sort of reason, the nodules triggered an excessive production of progesterone. Of course, if you're a man... that's not the explanation.

aliphoto profile image
aliphoto

Thanks everyone. I would really like to know if any else does suffer with this and if they have a solution. Thanks Nathalie70 that sound interesting this could be the case as I am female (couldn't see where you change your profile pic!)

x

puncturedbicycle profile image
puncturedbicycle in reply to aliphoto

Has your GP done the sleep apnoea questionnaire with you? The gasping/suffocating thing could be apnoea but there are specific symptoms, and, surprise! if you've got a dirty great lumpy thyroid in your neck it can cause that choking feeling too. They should look at both.

changes74 profile image
changes74 in reply to aliphoto

im new here. not sure if u can but msg me privately and ill give you my story and how i got help.

Ihatesynthoid profile image
Ihatesynthoid in reply to changes74

I read that sleep apnea is a symptom of thyroid problems. I certainly have that! CPAP machine. I workout everyday. Nothing helps.

Sparklegrrl profile image
Sparklegrrl

I have a multinodular goitre which I have also been told to just monitor and that my thyroid levels are 'fine'. I find the discomfort and feeling of suffocating is worse for me if I sleep on my back, but eases sleeping on my front or side.

I haven't found much to relieve the something stuck in my throat feeling that I have pretty much constantly, other than keeping busy enough to not be distracted by it!

If you are having lots of difficulty sleeping and regularly wake feeling like you are suffocating it could be worth investigating if you have sleep apnoea.

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