posted
Well, my newest malady is I have 2 nodules on my thyroid. PCP felt my thyroid was swollen 6 mo. ago and had a scan done (sonogram).
They found 2 nodules one on each side. I was told to get another scan in 6 mo. and if they did not grow any bigger not to worry.
Well, the 2nd scan was done and the L side (I think) was bigger. The PCP had initially said that we could do a biopsy, but if they remain small probably no need. Now that it is growing I just wonder, has anyone else had this issue? Was it related to the lyme or unlrelated?
The doc office called after scan 2 and said that the one nodule was bigger but that I needn't worry it was no big deal. I have an appt. with PCP on Tue. I wonder if I should press to have a biopsy done (not wanting to) or just see if I can get an rx for some thyroid meds to see if they may help if she doesn't recommend it?
I have had issues swallowing for several years but it was always thought that it was a neurological issue. I still have these issues plus my husband says I sound like I can't get air sometimes at night and it's gotten so scary for him at times that he wakes me to be sure I can breathe.
I had a sleep study done back in around 2005 or 06? they said "hypoxia" but had no treatment recommendations other than the mask you wear at night but insurance would only pay for it if the dx was apnea.
My throat feels swollen lots, and my voice is beginning to be affected, like it sounds raspy lots too.
Just wondering if anyone has experienced this and what it may be related to? thyroid, the hypoxia, or lyme, whatever?? Thanks
-------------------- One day at a time Posts: 409 | From TX | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
well my sister had nodules on her thyroid, and she did have a scan, then a biopsy they couldn't tell from the biopsy if it was cancer(not sure why they couldn't tell) but she did have half of her thyroid removed because of the nodules
since yours are growing, I would make a big deal and insist on the biopsy even though you don't want to.
Swallowing issues could be due to the nodules and swollen thyroid...you really really need to get the nodules tested.
Posts: 287 | From somewhere | Registered: Oct 2011
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Catgirl
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 31149
posted
It could be from a combination of things.
I used to have sleep apnea, and sometimes I would wake up choking. I think that was from acid reflux though (throat closes when it feels something coming up the wrong way). But I had difficulty breathing during sleeping hours until a few months after I was on abx. I still have trouble when it's humid.
A previous LLMD of mine told me that my thyroid was swollen and felt like it had a lump on it, so he had me get an ultrasound. I felt it the same day my doc did, and it was swollen and a little bit sore to the touch. By the time I got the ultrasound though, the swelling was gone, and no cysts or lumps found.
I do remember the ultrasound technician telling me that people came in all day long with cysts on their thyroids. She said it was common, especially for middle aged people, and that it was usually no big deal. She said my thyroid looked like a teenagers (I'm middle aged).
I have also had issues with swallowing, which seemed to be babs related. Once I started treating babs they went away (after a few months) until my treatment failed. I am currently on babs treatment and my swallowing got better for a while.
However, my T3 has gotten low during the past few months, so my doc is watching my thyroid. For the past few weeks, I've had trouble swallowing again, just like before I ever started on babs meds. I am wondering if it is thyroid related, since I still am on stuff for babs.
I do get a raspy voice every once in a while. I don't know what this is attributed to, but some people on this blog have suggested protomyxzoa. I'm getting tested for this.
Personally, I feel like the thyroid stuff is tricky. It could be a combination of lyme and/or diet, or even radiation related. Women have complicated reproductive/hormone systems, so I imagine that has something to do with it too. I suspect the majority of it is lyme related.
You may want to get your minerals tested. I think that lyme depletes a lot of nutrients that our thyroids, as well as, bodies need. I recently read some posts here about copper. So my PCP just tested me, and my copper, iron, creatine and zinc were really low (I think these can affect the thyroid).
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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posted
I have nodules on my thyroid as well. I didn't even know I had them until my doctor was doing a physical and thought my neck felt swollen.
I had an ultrasound and then a needle biopsy. It came out atypical so I had to have another biopsy 3 months later. That one came out normal.
I have to have an ultrasound every year to make sure they don't grow larger. My endocrinologist said most people have no problems with nodules. In some cases they do turn out to be cancerous and obviously if they grow too large then have to be removed.
Posts: 343 | From North Carolina | Registered: Oct 2008
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posted
thanks for the responses buffy, cat, and kim. I guess the answers are very iffy, as usual, for this stuff. I hate the raspy voice thing b/c I am a songwriter and I do songs with vocals sometimes. I guess I may need to focus on more instumentals if this keeps up. Well, I don'tknow, Melissa Etheridge and Bonnie Raitt seem to make the raspy thing work?? I just wonder about the swallowing thing, if it is neurological, or the nodules and thyroid swelling to the point of making swallowing difficult. I will surely bring up these concerns tue. and see what the pcp thinks the next step is.
Kim- is that really how they describe biopsy? typical or atypical? how helpful. Not! So, even after getting atypical, they just leave them there anyway? what's the point then?
Catgirl- I have had extensive mineral/vitamin testing done and although some things were a little low, most is fine. I took some supplements for 5 years and my swallowing never got better. I wonder if I do have babs and need tx for that? My bloodtests never showed it, but I always thought the sx for babs and bart were both descriptive of sx I have and still do have. Just finding a doc to tx them is the biggest challenge.
Buffy- I am going to make sure she does something to help us figure this out.
Again, thanks for the replies!
-------------------- One day at a time Posts: 409 | From TX | Registered: Mar 2004
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LisaK
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 41384
posted
Twicebitten- any updates from you ??
I recently had thyroid nodules seen , but they said wait becasue they werent' big enough to meet the size for BX.
im getting nervous now becasue they also just found a "highly suspicious" 4C breast mass and radiologist suspects cancer and I am reading articles that state how constant inflammation (think lyme and cos, plus whatever other malady you face, etc) can lead to cancer
and the two of the main areas are thyroid and breast.
for the record, I have a ton of inflammation I am constantly trying to fight.
-------------------- Be thankful in all things- even difficult times and sickness and trials - because there is something GOOD to be seen Posts: 3558 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2013
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
lisa, twicebitten hasn't posted on here since 2016. Look at the date on the original post, it's from '12.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6478 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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LisaK
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 41384
posted
I saw the date, but that doesn't mean anything really.
thanks for letting me know they haven't posted in a while
I guess ill start my own post, but I thought keeping a similar thread going was easier for people. in other words, I didn't only post here to "talk " to twicebitten. I posted to get more answers and uptodate info, etc.
-------------------- Be thankful in all things- even difficult times and sickness and trials - because there is something GOOD to be seen Posts: 3558 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2013
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