Is it possible to have inner ear pain from thyroid nodules?

[julie383]

I just found out 2 weeks ago that I have a nodule that is 2cm along with several others on my thyroid. I have always had a large thyroid but in the past nothing was ever found. For the past few years I have had pain in my left ear and was wondering if this could be contributing to it. Some days the pain will almost be non-existent and then other days it is awful. The doctor looked in my ear and said I have trapped fluid inside but how can this be a constant problem? Doesn't the fluid eventually dry up? Is this even a possible problem from the thryoid nodules I have? Thank you.

[julie383]

Do you think you will end up getting it removed? We sound alot alike....I have to turn over every stone until I am positive. The more that I read Stella's post..the more I begin to understand what she is trying to relay. She is right...sometimes you have to have faith in what you are being told....but it is so hard when you are a skeptic..know what I mean? My husband will probably eventually have to wheel me into the hospital in a straightjacket to make me do it.

[4helen]

Yes indeed it is so crazy. I know what you mean about hub pressure; am totally in the dog house for my direction at moment.

Am hoping some of the 'Wise Sages' here can weigh in because am probably the worst one in terms of stubborness in the community at the moment to be threading with you!!  And yet - am too an OR waiting room follicular neo case w perfect thy fxctn, so I 'get' your dilemna; it's madness not having conclusive info!!!

You do have a TINY bit of time ---so take it; post as many questions while you can or talk w a trusted friend. Be YOU too, and if that means skeptical - tough ***@ies!  The last ENT appt I had - I basically became not me-- was begging him to do the surgery that day --there on his desk even!---I was all meachy, whimpering, simpering mess---- not the real me!  :  )

[julie383]

Well you see...the one nodule..the largest one is actually slightly more to the left lobe too. So I really have them on both. He really can't make any promises that it will not continue to create more on that side as well..another reason he recommends it comes out all at once. Believe me, I tried to get out of it...I actually still can..after all it is up to me. My husband doesn't seem to think I should play with fire though. Ever since I found out yesterday I keep wondering if I am doing the right thing..considering my thyroid is apparently functioning fine. The question that keeps hanging in my mind is always doubt since Im such a skeptical person. You know in the end what is the chance of me actually not having to use hormone pills? I heard the dr say 50/50 if you only have half removed..but whose to say I won't be in the 50% that won't need it...this whole thing is driving me crazy!!

[4helen]

New day - new question-----

Hmmm ---------am a little worried for you------am thinking Doc rightly very concerned about your hoarseness as a critical symptom ----but-----is that reason enough for a prophylactic approach to remove the good side too because he says there is a "likelihood that the same thing (growing a nodule?) will happen with the other side?  I've not heard about this likelihood before ---- is this so?  

It might give you a tad bit of peace to try to post or PM your FNA to someone for quick looksie, esp w a TT on the menu. Yes indeed - good learning curve here --most of the time thou am clinging on to the bottom for dear life!  1 month ago - all seemed so ridiculously straightfoward!!   Keep Bullheaded!!     : )  


  

[julie383]

Thanks for thinking about me! You would have thought I  was nuts looking at me sitting there on the edge of my seat just waiting for him to come into the room...which seemed like it took forever, but it was really only like 10 mins. He really is a very nice person and gave me the time that I needed to get all the questions I wanted(he probably didn't know what a bullheaded person he was dealing with). At first I didn't want to the the total,but he has told me the likelihood that this same thing will happen with the other side will bring me back in again..even if it is in 10 or 15 years. He did not try to force me at all, he just wanted me to make the decision...he does think I made the best decision. I really didn't and still don't want to take medication...but I guess in the end if I only had partial done and there is still no guarantee that I won't..this is what also made the decision very hard. I have learned alot on here though to help me out.

[4helen]

My thoughts were with you today.

There are lots on this site who will give great support and advice, and at least the energy expended recently waiting can now turn to making a good treatment programme and bring an end to your ear pain and hoarseness.

As stella5349 wisely posted - don't want to mess around 'too' much.  That said - may it not be worth asking again about the partial - even if it means 2 ops? Several here have that story.  My 2nd ENT said he will do a frozen section in the OR (not always definitive, but an option); the 1st ENT won't - hence why I shopped for a new one. Might be worth a try to see if he offers the frozen option - which essentially means a pathologist gets roped into the OR.

You might try posting the FNA path report to Dr Lupo or maybe 898 just for a quick and dirty English translation? My 2nd ENT had all my 12 slides completely re-read by another path who saw something very different from path1's report---but this is moving into the 'messing zone' which with ear pain and hoarseness, may not be wise.  

The whole business seems to be about making difficult decisions with not entirely perfect info. Keep the faith!!  Hugs from London.  x