Introducing Myself

[Guest guest]

Hello!

A bit of history:

I'm in NYC and scheduled for surgery on December 13. My gyn

found a swelling of my left thyroid lobe in January 2002 and

suggested that I check it out. I had no symptoms (and no

insurance) but had a blood test that showed that I was

hyperthyroid. (I was hypo for a bit in my twenties but felt fine since

then and periodic tests came back within normal ranges.) I felt

OK until it started to get warmer in May, then the symptoms

started - especially the heat intolerance and rapid heart beat.

I was not able to get insurance through work so finally bought my

own HMO plan, which kicked in on Nov. 1. By that time, I was

also anemic and my symptoms and emotional state were pretty

severe although " on paper " my bloodwork was not that bad, only

an elevated T3 and suppressed TSH. Because of my asthma, I

was put on a calcium channel-blocker and Klonopin, an

anti-anxiety med (and my new best friend). They helped a lot. Got

the usual RAI push from endos #1 and #2, PCP, family (except

for bro), boyfriend, you name it. Not easy disagreeing with them;

there's no extra credit from the medical community for THAT, as

we know. Did uptake scan, TSI test, sonogram, more bloodwork,

and finally decided on surgery. I should say that I do not have

Graves, but Plummer's Disease, also known as toxic nodular

goiter, and I'm here seeking info and support about Planet

Surgery. I've never been in the hospital proper, (only the ER),

under anesthetic or the knife, and am plenty nervous. The stories

I read though re; surgery are very positive, which is so

reassuring.

I have faith in my surgeon, he's one of the best in NYC. He put

me on iodine drops and the endo today started me on Tapazole.

I'm afraid of thyroid storm but they don't think that will happen as

my levels are not that high. The worst symptom for me has been

the higher heart rate, which has never gotten higher than 120

beats per minute (during a panic attack) but swoops from high

70s to 100 all day, even with the channel-blocker. A beta-blocker

would work better, but with my asthma, it's contraindicated. The

anxiety too was awful - never experienced that before.

Sorry that this is so long. I have nine days to get through until The

Day. Does anyone who's been through this think that I will need

a nurse at home after? I live alone. I'm also afraid of the calcium

drop, if it happens. My family have been great, can't complain, but

I sure feel that I have been to a place that is its own special hell,

looking to get out soon. The doctors hope that my right lobe will

" wake up " as the nodule is doing all the work. I did not have FNA

on the hot nodule that they assured me was not cancerous but

chose the surgery to be absolutely sure.

I wish excellent health for everyone here. If I am lucky enough to

get back the old me, I'll never take good health for granted again!

Jan