sukilou
Active member
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2008
- Messages
- 63
- Reason
- PALS
- Diagnosis
- 09/2008
- Country
- US
- State
- Or
- City
- Troutdale
Well, here goes, my latest development, although part of it not so recent:
1991, I had a total thyroidectomy due to a very large multinodular goiter, which was constricting my windpipe. I have been on throid replacement therapy since then.
2001, I noticed a swelling on the right side of my neck. Went to my endo who did a fine needle biopsy, which came back as colloid tissue, benign. My doc increased my Synthroid medication to suppress any further growth.
Aug 2007, I had a cervical MRI which showed a neck mass on my right side of my neck to be approx 3.2 cm.
Aug 2008, another cervical MRI showed the same mass to be 5.8 cm and causing a deviation to my windpipe. Meanwhile my diagnosed of ALS came about and I wasn't thinking about my neck too much. My ALS neuro wanted me to get this mass checked out because of the restriction to my trachea and enlargement.
Jan 2009, back to the endo, who referred me out to the surgeon who did the original thyroid surgery. I saw the surgeon last week, who went over his surgical records of the 91 surgery with me. He said that my entire gland had been removed in 91 and he didn't think that it was thyroid tissue. He is sending me for an ultrasound and biopsy tomorrow morning. He is an oncology surgeon and mentioned the possibility of lymphoma. The concensus among my doctors is that if I require further surgery now is the time. My breathing is excellent (FVC 109%) and according to my ALS neuro my risks are not any higher than a person without ALS.
I know that this is an ALS forum, but I would appreciate any info or experience that anyone may have with thyroid problems and/or surgery and regrowth of thyroid after removal. I had surgery in May 08 for a wrist fracture, and that is when my ALS symptoms accelerated, leading to a definite diagnosed in Nov 08. So even though my neuro said ok to the surgery, I am nervous about my recovery and set backs or progression of ALS.
1991, I had a total thyroidectomy due to a very large multinodular goiter, which was constricting my windpipe. I have been on throid replacement therapy since then.
2001, I noticed a swelling on the right side of my neck. Went to my endo who did a fine needle biopsy, which came back as colloid tissue, benign. My doc increased my Synthroid medication to suppress any further growth.
Aug 2007, I had a cervical MRI which showed a neck mass on my right side of my neck to be approx 3.2 cm.
Aug 2008, another cervical MRI showed the same mass to be 5.8 cm and causing a deviation to my windpipe. Meanwhile my diagnosed of ALS came about and I wasn't thinking about my neck too much. My ALS neuro wanted me to get this mass checked out because of the restriction to my trachea and enlargement.
Jan 2009, back to the endo, who referred me out to the surgeon who did the original thyroid surgery. I saw the surgeon last week, who went over his surgical records of the 91 surgery with me. He said that my entire gland had been removed in 91 and he didn't think that it was thyroid tissue. He is sending me for an ultrasound and biopsy tomorrow morning. He is an oncology surgeon and mentioned the possibility of lymphoma. The concensus among my doctors is that if I require further surgery now is the time. My breathing is excellent (FVC 109%) and according to my ALS neuro my risks are not any higher than a person without ALS.
I know that this is an ALS forum, but I would appreciate any info or experience that anyone may have with thyroid problems and/or surgery and regrowth of thyroid after removal. I had surgery in May 08 for a wrist fracture, and that is when my ALS symptoms accelerated, leading to a definite diagnosed in Nov 08. So even though my neuro said ok to the surgery, I am nervous about my recovery and set backs or progression of ALS.