surgery

Anyone else ?? [file] [file]

Post edited by: kodger99, at: 04/27/2008 20:06

I just recently, last Thursday 5/8 had parathyroid surgery. I had one gland removed. I'm afraid I'm not much help but would like to hear more about what you are dealing with. My surgery went well my calcium levels returned to normal right after surgery and so far so good. Have you had blood work? I know from what I've read that reoccurence is rare but I have no personal experience.

What type of symptoms were you experiencing prior to surgery? Are they completly gone now?

I only had a few symptoms - fatigue, headache and frequent thirst. Yes, the symptoms are gone now. I was actually diagnosed after being hospitalized for an unrelated condition. When they did blood work they found the elevated PTH and hypercalcemia. A sestambi confirmed that it was from a parathyroid gland.

I will share what my doctor told me when I went for a follow up after surgery. I asked about re-occurence with another gland. I was told what sometimes happens is the other glands may start to over produce after surgery because they haven't had to work before due to the overactive gland. He said if that were to happen there are medications to help bring things back into balance but that future adenomas are really rare.

What symptoms are you experiencing?

That's quite interesting. How knowledgeable would you say your doctor is in the parathyroid field? Mine know virtually nothing. I'm on my own with this. Dr. Norman in Tampa diagnosed me through the blood work that we sent him. I flew in, he did the surgery and I flew home 2 days later. Problem is, he's 3000 miles away. Had to send my blood work to him as my doctors suspected parathyroid disease although could not be sure. I couldn't wait for them. Double adenoma was the result. Probably at least 10 years. So maybe, the remaining 2 are over producing. I'm still better than prior to surgery but still experience some fatigue and muscular symptoms. I would say on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being great) I'm averaging 6.5 to 7. I would like to be better. I'm waiting on bloodwork. Five weeks post op my calcium was in the normal range although, I was surprised that my PTH was still in the mid 40's ( 5-50 is normal). It ranged from 41 to 70 prior to my surgery so I assumed that it woud have been single digits. Please keep in touch.

My doctor is about as knowledgeable as any doctor in a small rural area that typically deals with thyroid and not parathyroid issues. Which is my way of saying -- if you have access in talking to Dr Norman, he is probably the most knowledgeable person in the field. Heck, I couldn't even have a minimally invasive technique used for my surgery. I wish I had the means to have traveled to see Dr. Norman or someone who has the experience he has - I'm currently trying to find someone who can follow up since the surgeon released me and my family Dr. won't take the responsibility and isn't really sure where to send me... so I completely understand your statement of being on your own. I'm looking for an endocrinologist that has at least dealt with this a few times. Let me know how things develop for you, I hope you find the answers you need so you can feel your best.

Post edited by: sandyshore, at: 05/25/2008 17:01