michellegb
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,915
Location: New England and loving it!
Jun 26, 2014 0:04:59 GMT
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Post by michellegb on Jun 12, 2021 8:39:41 GMT
I was recently diagnosed and I'm meeting with a surgeon next month. I've had benign thyroid nodules for the last 12 years or so and have had more biopsies of those than I can count so I'm used to all the scans and poking and prodding in that area at least. I'm hoping to find out about surgery and recovery experiences. We caught mine fairly early but I'm having bouts of no ability to focus and being super scatterbrained (more than the usual menopausal fun). I am crossing my fingers that those will abate after the rogue parathyroid is removed. I'd love to hear from anyone who has gone through this.
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AllieC
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,057 
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Post by AllieC on Jun 12, 2021 11:34:24 GMT
I haven’t but it was a possible cause of some stuff I was experiencing last year so I joined a couple of Facebook groups. There was one that was super helpful with info etc.
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Post by whipea on Jun 12, 2021 13:17:37 GMT
I had it and had the surgery to remove the affected parathyroid gland. About four years ago I went to Norman Parathyroid Center in Tampa, Florida. They are famous for this surgery and people from all over the county and world have the procedure at this facility. This is all they do and it was simple and effective and my doctor told me that the thyroid should not be removed for this condition, just the affected glands. So that is what I did.
I have a little 3 inch scar that you can hardly see and the change in my health and cognition after it was removed was amazing. It is a very minimally disruptive outpatient procedure.
The following was my surgery experience; I went by myself because I hate people being around when I don't feel well. Drove up the night before, about a three hour drive for me then checked into the hotel. Took a cab to the center at 5:30 AM and was back in the hotel by 11:00 AM. Stayed another night then on the way home went to the Lego Store in Disney Springs. The only work time I missed was the few days in Tampa. You follow up with your own doctor and do not need to return to Tampa.
Felt a bit flu-like and slightly off for about a week and that was it, no medication except calcium supplements for a while. I hope you are feeling better soon.
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Post by mikklynn on Jun 12, 2021 14:11:43 GMT
My sister had 3 of her 4 removed at the Mayo Clinic. It seemed like a pretty simple procedure. Her recovery was quick. This is all from my perspective, ha ha, not hers! You know the saying "The only minor surgery is someone else's."
Best wishes.
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Post by marysue63 on Jun 12, 2021 14:32:25 GMT
I had parathyroid surgery a few month ago. I didn't notice any symptoms, mine was caught because a routine blood test showed elevated calcium. I went for a nuclear scan and was told my parathyroid showed up very bright! I walked the 2 blocks to the hospital for my surgery and was there for less than 3 hours. They wouldn't let me walk home but I could have. My surgery was on a Tuesday and I did end up taking the rest of the week off, not for pain though, I was just tired. I had to go and get my calcium checked several times the following two weeks and had a few phone appointments but other than that it was a breeze. I have a small scar but it's fading slowly.
And for those wondering - your parathyroid has nothing to do with your thyroid. It's ONLY function is to regulate your calcium level. The reason it's called a parathyroid is because it is next to your thyroid. They are in no way related. You usually have 4 parathyroids but only need 1 to function.
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zella
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,884
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Post by zella on Jun 12, 2021 15:27:01 GMT
I had already had one parathyroid removed when my PTT showed high again. I called the Norman Center, actually, and I live close to there, and I was told no, they wouldn't do surgery on me ( I think because my calcium level was normal). Looking for a 2nd opinion, found a doctor in Orlando who said one of the remaining 3 definitely needs to be removed, but it could be more, and he wouldn't know until during the surgery. I trusted him and was going to get the surgery...then Covid happened. My PTT went down, but now it's going up again, so I'll be seeing that dr soon.
I notice few symptoms, looking back at my first surgery. I believe my fatigue and depression was worse before the surgery. The surgery itself was incredibly easy; hubby drove me home and from what I remember I fell asleep. Never needed any narcotics for the pain.
It really is an easy surgery so try not to worry. Good luck!
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michellegb
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,915
Location: New England and loving it!
Jun 26, 2014 0:04:59 GMT
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Post by michellegb on Jun 12, 2021 22:26:01 GMT
Thank you everyone for your responses! I'm relieved to find that it's a relatively simple procedure and recovery. I've received quite the education on those little parathyroids that I had no idea existed prior to this. Mine was found because of blood tests during my annual physical as well. It did not show up on the scan, but my endocrinologist saw it on a preliminary ultrasound when checking out my nodules and it showed up on the regular ultrasound done later. I'm lucky to have been referred to the head of the ENT Department at UMASS Memorial Health which is part of UMASS Medical School. I'm told I will have one more scan prior to surgery just to confirm the location for the surgeon. Hopefully this will all be done by the end of the summer and I can have something other than my calcium laden smoothie for breakfast.  |
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Post by refugeepea on Jun 12, 2021 23:31:57 GMT
My son. Apparently it was quite rare for someone his age to be diagnosed. The first sign was a kidney stone at the age of nineteen. He had blood work done and had high levels of calcium. This is what tipped the specialist to his diagnosis. He had surgery in March. He's recovered fine.
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