Thyroid coming out June 27

[danie17075rm]

I met with the surgeon.  I went over every symptom I have had.  He said I can very well have a pituitary problem, but my endo needs to deal with that, as it is not what he specializes in.  The doctor was nice.  It's a teaching hospital so I also had to deal with students.  He said that even though I might have a pituitary problem, most of my tests and symptoms are completely consistent with hashimoto's.  I am positive for 2 types of antibodies (that was new information).  He said that the thyroid has to come out, even if I have other problems.  My thyroid is causing too many issues and he said it felt all rubbery.  He actually made all the med students come in and feel my thyroid as it is apparently the "perfect" text book hashimoto's thyroid.  You can even feel the edges of mine. YAY, at least my thyroid is good for something lol.  I said I'm glad it can be of use to someone and they said, "hey we will get to see it when it comes out too" lol.  He said that radiation would not have been a good choice for me.  My hashimotos is so bad that different parts of the thyroid uptake the iodine at different rates.  He said this would have been really bad for me, and surgery is definitely the best option.  He can just remove it, and I will finally have a steady dose of thyroid hormones.  He also said that I should not be too expectant that this will cure everything.  He said it plays havoc on the nervous system, and sometimes it doesn't get entirely better.  He is going to examine the parathyroids while he is in there, but he really wants me to try and raise the vitamin D before surgery.  They had an opening June 1 for surgery, but I really wanted some time to take this in.  My surgery is schedule for June 27.  A few weeks before that I have a pre-op appointment and a few weeks after surgery my post-op appointment.  He said since I have an autoimmune disease, getting rid of the thyroid doesn't always help the autoimmune problem.  UGH.  I'm kind of scared that it won't make me feel better after what he said, but I do know it will give me a constant flow of hormone rather than too much or too little.  SO, that is the news.  The thyroid is going bye bye.  I don't know how to feel about it yet. At least I have some time to think. I hope this is the right decision!

[SassySharon]

Hope everything works out for the very best for you!   =)

[danie17075rm]

Thank you Sass, me too.  I just want a life back!

[Totie]

Personally I would have had the RAI first, then if that did not help, the surgery. For me surgery is the last, absolute last resort.

Do understand, that he is correct when he says "surgery will NOT cure everything". Be prepared for the dosing roller coaster you will be on until they can figure out which dosage you will need to be on.

Funny you mentioned Vit D levels, I just found out mine is non-existent...so trying to get that back up & recheck in 8 weeks.

[goolarra]

I'm so sorry.  There are a number of people on the forum lately whose screen name begins with "dani", and I had you confused with someone else.  I still think a second opinion is always a good idea before surgery, but my comments about meds related to another "dani".  Best of luck no matter what you decide to do...

[danie17075rm]

What is your vitamin D?  Mine is only 11!!!  I know getting that up would probably make me feel a ton better.

I thought about the radiation, but I have a 5 year old and as a single mom, I wouldn't be able to work the time away from him.  I also share a room with him, so I would never put him in any jeopardy due to my own problem.  This doc told me that he doesn't think RAI would have been good for me anyway due to the nature of my thyroid.  He said it might not work correctly and it would be a long horrible process.  I know the surgery won't be roses and sunshine either though lol.  I just also know I really don't have a choice.  I can't living like this with my heart constantly racing and not being able to breathe.  If it just cures that aspect of the fluctuations, I will be satisfied.  I know I then have to go through the dosing roller coaster, but I've been very hypo before.  I would take that any day of the week over being hyper.  I can't deal with the hyper, and I'm pretty much hyper most of the time anymore.

[danie17075rm]

No problem, I have seen the Dani's too lol.  I also believe in second opinions.  This is actually the third doc that told me I have to kill the thyroid or get it out.  They told me that I do not have any other option (hopefully they are right).  I'm a huge natural medicine type of person so I wouldn't go down this route if I didn't think it was absolutely necessary. Since I have hashimoto's toxicosis most of the time, I am hyper a lot.  This is bad on my heart!  I spent most of the last 10 months hyper, if not all of it.