Neck surgery anyone?

[Don]

I have recurring thyroid disease from lithium therapy with a history of hypo and hyperthyroidism. The thyroid controls many processes in the body. It’s very important and you can’t live without the hormones it provides. My thyroid is toxic. It is located in the front part of the neck just below the Adam’s apple. According to my endocrinologist, it is “spilling hormones” making me very ill. So I’m having a total thyroidectomy to have it completely removed. I’m currently classified as hyperthyroid (which is bad). I also have multiple small nodular cysts on my thyroid gland. I’m having surgery in May. It will take about 3 hours. The surgery will be performed by an otolaryngologist, or ear, nose, and throat specialist. Once my thyroid is out, I’ll be placed on thyroid stimulating hormones for the rest of my life. It won’t be easy. It will consist of frequent blood tests and potential effects of trying to regulate the medicine. Rough stuff. Since I’m retired from the Marine Corps, my surgeon is a Doctor in the U.S. Navy and the procedure will be in a large Naval Hospital. I’ll be inpatient for a couple days. My surgeon knows of my health conditions. They are extremely complex. I have an autonomic neuropathy that makes me bladder and bowel incontinent. It effects many other systems such as blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and digestion to name a few. So it’s extremely complicated. I had to get clearance from all my physicians and a pre-op physical. My surgeon knows I’m incontinent. I asked her to not use a catheter during the procedure. I told her I use diapers and she said it wasn’t a problem. There is a small risk of complications. Some of these lie in the throat as it is full of nerves and it’s very vascular. The vocal chords are in there. If the surgeon makes a mistake, I could lose my ability to speak...permanently. Anybody else been through this?

[schoppy]

Howdy Don

WOW, you sure have and will be going through a lot of medical stuff.
I sure hope and pray that things go ok with your surgery.
I had a friend that was at the same base as me in Germany that had his removed.
I don't remember the details of it but he did get along just fine.
He was in the same choir group as me at the base church.

Schoppy

[Tarlton]

Praying it all goes well! And that the learning curve with the therapy is quick

[Don]

Thank you Schoppy and Tarlton. My surgery date is May 31st (tentatively). I’m ready and it can’t come soon enough.

[justej]

Holy smokes don. That's a lot to deal with.
I hope the surgery goes well, that you have a good surgeon, and you recover quickly. Keep us posted

[Don]

Justej,
Thanks for your thoughts. By chance, did I read that you take Lithium as well? I have Bipolar 1 Disorder. Been taking it for 8 years. Watch out for that drug. It effects the kidneys too. Make sure you get your labs. I got dehydrated once while in Disney World. My lithium levels spiked to 2.2. It was almost fatal. I got extremely lucky and ended up in the ER on IV drip for 6 hours. Lithium is rough. It works incredibly well for me but can be extremely dangerous. All in the name of mood stability.

[johnstone]

Don,

Hope all goes well with your surgery,...best of luck to you.

[justej]

Don,
Yeah I do take lithium for bipolar. 300mg 3 times a day. I'm getting my levels done Monday in fact. I take a crapload of other drugs too. I see my doctor once a week so I am very closely monitored. These drugs are terrible yet needed. You're screwed if you do and screwed if you don't. I'm glad you were able to get iv fluids on your Disney trip. This stuff is scary