<> ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc. This community is sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, an Inspire trusted partner. I did some imaging and positive lymph nodes were seen in my mediastinum. There is a lot of swelling afterwards so you have to stay 1 - 2 days in the hospital for monitoring and they use steroids to reduce swelling. Thyroid surgery is often done under general anesthesia with a breathing tube placed in the windpipe, or trachea, to breathe for you. I am scheduled to start Dabrafenib (which says not to crush) and Trametinib on Sept 24th for two months in an attempt to redifferentiate my RAI-resistant cancer. Thyroid surgery will only remove the thyroid. Image 1: Getty Images The worst was 4 days post TT. As with other side effects and complications, the timing of symptoms can vary from one person to the next. She directed me to massage my neck but I don't see any results. Sad. Kim, I am so sorry for your discomfort but thank you for sharing. Partner with the expert for the best care. I really freaked out about it too. Fitzpatricks Dermatology in General Medicine (seventh edition). McGraw Hill, China, 2008:1470-4. I am hoping someone here can shed some light, share some insight or has been down a similar path I have Hashimoto's and a diffuse goiter. This can include changes in blood pressure or heart problems. Has anyone had similar issues of concern? No one told me about the long-term swelling after surgery so it has freaked me out a bit. These are normal sensations. Eur Thyroid J. heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, etc.). J Clin Med. After my TT, I had a TG of 70 un-stimulated, so did RAI at 100mci. The idea of having my neck slit open again only one year after TT, and then having it reopened again and again in case of future recurrence seemed barbaric and non-sensical to me. Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked. Find other members in this community to connect with. These glands are responsible for controlling the body's calcium levels. Left side surgical was hard & slightly numb to feel anything. Of the 246 patients, 11 (4.5%) developed lateral LN recurrence with a median follow-up of 49months. Hello all. These signs dont necessarily mean that you have thyroid disease. I'll say it's not quite golfball size but close. Sometimes when we tell doctors there is swelling they think we are just one of those whiney women who over react. One Gp even did a white blood cell count blood test to check for any cancer markers and all was clear. 1. The use of iodine was thought to reduce the risk, but a 2017 study questioned the benefit. The lymphedema therapist concocted some velcro/ace band together to put around my neck. There can be some minor swelling above the scar; If the patient has lost the notch between the insertion points of the sternocleidomastoid muscles (if no longer concave and now convex) then this is a sign there may be some clinically significant post-op swelling; Any oedema/dimpling of the skin Injury or trauma can be treated based on the cause and symptoms of the injury. Does this sound like just a salivary gland complication from the RAI and has any of you had this happen to you? Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Since the generally accepted indication for total thyroidectomy i Hematomas are collections of blood. Endocrinology 45 years experience. You poor thing! After a couple of weeks of not eating fat (was not fun!) I to was really worried about the swelling and was asking for help from others on this forum at that time. Anyone have experience with medialization surgery for vocal cord paralysis. Dr. Alan Feldman answered 43 years experience I used to see a therapist and it really helped. Some of these require prompt treatment, so it's important to be aware of them. If you are not given calcium, it's important to be aware of the symptoms of hypocalcemia. -FT3 = 5.63 pg/mL (2.30- 4.20) 1 0 obj I have gained about 15 pounds on top of it all. These dermatologists' tips tell you how to protect your skin. I realize I am only about a month out from my surgery, so I just wanted to gauge how long before most of the swelling goes away and I start to look more like my old self again? This is very common and expected during the first week or two after surgery. Pre-operative Lugols iodine treatment in the management of patients undergoing thyroidectomy for Graves disease: a review of the literature, Safety and effectiveness of total thyroidectomy and its comparison with subtotal thyroidectomy and other thyroid surgeries: a systematic review, Outpatient versus inpatient thyroidectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Top answers from doctors based on your search: Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Images 2, 3, 4: Used with permission of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology: J Am Acad Dermatol. How were you treated and did you have options for your treatment? First of all it was as if the surgeon just left me out to dry because he didn't talk with me within those months without me strongly advocating for some kind of response. The exercises are actually all about stretching. A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating the skin, hair, and nails. The ablation procedure is much like an FNA, though my tumor was deep and it was pretty painful. Both surgeon and Endo (at the time) did not recommend RAI - so no RAI. If you saw my other thread, you know I've had an allergic reaction to steri-strips so that might be causing some swelling. Feeling cold, especially in the extremities, Increased menstrual flow and more frequent periods, The presence of other medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure or a bleeding disorder, Thyroid cancer, especially when a central neck dissection is done to remove lymph nodes. Head & Neck. I finally got an appointment with my Endo and I said "I don't want surgery" and she said "no, no surgery - I think you can do alcohol ablation!" full body scan shows no metastasis. Dr said level should go down to 0.2. 2003;48(6):970-2. No one understands your skin better than a board-certified dermatologist. My mom had half her thyroid out due to a benign cyst a year ago and I figured my recovery would be similar to hers plus a tad worse. I went to minute clinic today because I feel like I have a ear/sinus infection. Through a standard incision in your neck. They secrete parathyroid hormone that helps your kidneys and bones to maintain the balance of calcium and phosphorous. It's not excrutiating pain, but I have to be very careful when I'm washing my neck and it's still tight when I turn my head to the right. I alos have pain and tightness in sternal area and towars my left shoulder. -Anti-Tg = 36 IU/mL (< 60) Thus, many "recurrences" are really just lymph nodes that were effected by cancer cells seeping through the back side of the thyroid and into the lymph node(s) behind it. The next day it got better. I don't know about your swelling I took along time to heal and the scar tissue was horrible I think it was the hardest surgery to recovery because its always being irritated from food. I had a cervical neck fusion c5 c6 the doctor somehow cut tissue by my thyroid or goiter i have had this problem years before neck surgery .I had this feeling for some time after my surgery. He didn't tell me that there was a possibility that I could form lymphedema if he made a incision in the same incision that was done four years ago when I had spinal neck fusion. No redness or bruising and Im fairly positive its not an injury. American Thyroid Association statement on outpatient thyroidectomy. If a specially trained and experienced surgeon performs a thyroidectomy, its generally very safe. Copyright 2000-2022 Cancer Survivors Network. When I smile, my lower left lip doesn't operate and I pretty much have the appearance of a stroke. It may also improve the safety of the procedure for those with Graves disease. I went to my appointment and forgot most of what I was going to ask or say please let us know how you get on if that's ok. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |, Important Updates + Notice of Vendor Data Event, (https://www.cancer.org/cancer/thyroid-cancer/treating/surgery.html), (https://www.thyroid.org/wp-content/uploads/patients/brochures/ThyroidSurgery.pdf), (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563279/), (https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002933.htm). I've read swelling is more common when they remove lymph nodes. Anatomic characteristics, identification, and protection of the nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve during thyroidectomy. I found out t Hello, how are you now? I told him I went shopping for several hours with the family yesterday. Factors predictive of the development of surgical site infection in thyroidectomy - An analysis of NSQIP database. I went to a very prestigious doctor in NYC Weill Cornell recommended by my endo at Sloan. Itch Itchy skin without a rash Untreatable and itchy hives Existing skin disease You have a higher risk of developing thyroid disease if you have one of the following: Vitiligo Hives 10th ed.,Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (LWW), 2012. Thank you! [deleted] 2 yr. ago Ok thank you. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. What? endobj undefined will no longer be visible to you including posts, replies, and photos. You have a nodule (growth) on your thyroid that might be thyroid cancer. Results: She is the author of "The Thyroid Diet Revolution.". The ENT mentioned if it doesn't go away after a while, we can always look into plastic surgery options. You may be given calcium and vitamin D supplements, and hormone replacement therapy is needed in some cases. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. The surgeon removed 31 lymph nodes - 5 of which proved cancerous. So not true. So I had my thyroidectomy on 4/9/19. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Ice packs make me comfortable but once ice wears off, then it stings again. It could be an infection. But I do have clearly defined swelling - mostly above the incision, but also below. FOIA Over the past year since surgery, I have been getting labs done ev. Check with your doctor first! For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person). .After my surgery I was really swollen for a very long time. It&#39;s been 9 days now. Post-thyroidectomy patients have a central neck scar. Bleeding after surgery that could lead to, Injury to a recurrent laryngeal nerve, which can cause temporary or permanent, Damage to your parathyroid glands, which are located behind your thyroid. The exact causes of seromas are not clear, but they are common in the breast area of people who have undergone surgery to . Its a part of your endocrine system and controls many of your bodys important functions by producing and releasing certain hormones, which are often referred to as thyroid hormone. Will I need thyroid hormone replacement therapy after my surgery? Dry skin with deep cracks and scale %PDF-1.5 Itchy skin without a rash My doctor continues to say that this is all normal. Protruding eyes A 2018 study found that when a solution of potassium iodide was given prior to thyroid surgery for those with Grave's diseasea condition that can lead to an overactive thyroidit was associated with less temporary hypoparathyroidism and hoarseness. Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex. I have the book and it is very good. Methods: As only one of the four parathyroid glands is needed to regulate calcium levels, the condition is uncommon, affecting roughly 2% of people who have a thyroidectomy. Oral Oncol. Untreatable and itchy hives. Any type of straining made me swell. It looks as if I had tracheostomy done. 8 weeks -- My TSH has been adequately suppressed (0.02) TG levels undetectable and No TG Antibodies. Neck Swelling after TT - Thyroid cancer Inspire Thyroid Cancer Connect Papillary and follicular thyroid cancer (differentiated) Thyroid Cancer Connect Thyroid cancer support group and discussion community ThyCa Website Support Services Conference Donate Join Inspire Create a post Neck Swelling after TT kimcam (Inactive) My surgeon didn't do a drainage tube and I can't help but think that I may have benefited from one. If yours does not, talk to your surgeon about seeing a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation (a physiatrist) or a physical therapist who can work with you to improve the flexibility of your neck and design an exercise program to restore your neck mobility. Predictive factors for lateral LN recurrence were evaluated using the chi-square test. How soon after a 7 day course of provera (medroxyprogesterone) can a total thyroidectomy be performed? Eating soft foods for the first few days can be helpful. Swelling after thyroid surgery 3 days ago, the left lobe (a 4 cm nodule was on it) and the isthmus ? Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. If you have a nodule, your provider may perform a fine needle aspiration (a type of. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Was it super gradual, or was there a day that you woke up and it was much better? Did you also have lymph nodes removed? I have some soft tissue swelling at my incision site which I figured was normal after TT and central neck dissection. Has anyone had this issue? I never thought of that before. I had 1st surgery TT, removal of goiter and a lot of lymph nodes on left side in October 2011. Most people are advised to take roughly two weeks off from work to recuperate, depending on their occupation. Has anyone else been told what is causing it? I tried heat, ice, gentle massage. Int J Surg. All of that to say that my surgery was very involved. Having regular thyroid testing done is also important, as hypothyroidism may not occur right away, or even for months or years. Last week I talked with my surgeon's office at MD Anderson. was removed. Would you like email updates of new search results? Feb 14th, 2012 had massive dose of RAI. It was fluid from the void where my thyroid used to be. If you experience itching, applying scar gel or aloe may provide relief, but talk to your surgeon before doing so. I wanted to see how any of you guys fared with recovery and swelling of the neck? It was definitely scary and I wish I knew what to expect. John. Is it just swelling that goes away? However, that information will still be included in details such as numbers of replies. After surgery, you will be monitored in the recovery room, sometimes for up to six hours. Identifying risk factors of lateral lymph node recurrence in clinically node-negative papillary thyroid cancer. No major symptoms of hypo yet, and one more scan to complete this coming Friday. Has anyone experienced this symptom after surgery? My concern is that if they don't find anything i don't want to do RAi unless absolutely necessary. Thanks so much for making me feel so much better today with hope for the future! I don't believe it is due to the RAI damage as I had these same aches before I was diagnosed and now they seem to be back 11 months after my TT and RAI. Factors predictive of the development of surgical site infection in thyroidectomy - An analysis of NSQIP database. However, it is now May 2016 and my neck in that area still feels very odd. I had no idea it would be like this- the internet makes TT seem like a piece of cake. It does get better though, just slowly. 2022 Nov 30;13:1064434. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1064434. Especially, extranodal extension of a metastatic central LN (OR, 38.82; 95% CI, 5.71-264.10; p<0.001) was an independent predictor of lateral LN recurrence. Penny. By asking you about your symptoms, your doctor can decide whether you need a blood test to check for thyroid disease. Transient (temporary) hypoparathyroidism can happen after thyroid surgery. Risk stratification of lateral neck recurrence for patients with pN1a papillary thyroid cancer. Did you have swelling after your surgery? He asked if I had a fever, which I don't (unless you count 99.4, which I don't think is a big deal), and whether I could breath normally, etc. What happens if i cough during total thyroidectomy surgery? Impact of Multifocality on the Recurrence of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. It feels like the swelling is getting worse. Thanks for listening, I'm 2 and half weeks after total thyroidectomy and although incision healing well I have considerable swelling still just below it. It looks like I have 3 necks, and the fluid build up is so bad. As others have said, he knows your story before you get there (they all do!) These include: While a total thyroidectomy is more extensive surgery than a subtotal thyroidectomy, several studies suggest that the safety of the two procedures is similar with regard to complications, though temporary low calcium levels (and hypothyroidism due to the removal of the entire thyroid) are more common with the total procedure. 2 of 5 central LNs were infiltrated with papillary Ca. Youre undergoing a second thyroid surgery. After surgery, your voice may be hoarse or whispery, and it may feel tiring to talk. The ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association Support Community connects patients, families, friends and caregivers for support and inspiration. Has anyone else had this type of papillary thyroid cancer where your thyroid was normal and they could not locate the primary tumour? 2016;2016:1-6. doi:10.1155/2016/7594615, Lee DJ, Chin CJ, Hong CJ, Perera S, Witterick IJ. What will be my physical restrictions following surgery? After I left the hospital, a few days later, my neck swelled up and I was advised to go on a no-fat diet. A lump under the chin is a bump, mass, or swollen area that appears under the chin, along the jawline, or on the front part of the neck. The weight of thyroids removed ranged from 4.4-46 g. After surgery, four patients obtained total and permanent relief of pain. -TSH= 0.010 muIU/mL (0.550- 4.780) Kimcam how's the incision? I have had issues with swallowing ever since surgery and have had a lot of swelling since three days post-op.