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Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: NVRWKN on April 24, 2008, 07:11:05 PM

Title: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: NVRWKN on April 24, 2008, 07:11:05 PM
Hope everybody is doing well! Here we go again. Back in for another surgery. :sir ken;  Any words of wisdom? I see Rolando just had one maybe i can find out what to expect. Just another hurdle. Take care all !!! Never Weaken!!! :boxing;
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: Sluff on April 25, 2008, 02:43:36 AM
Hope all goes well.   :grouphug;
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: spacezombie on April 25, 2008, 02:55:13 AM
I just had mine out in February and I am doing fine. The calcium IV hurt my veins a little bit going in but they gave me pain medicine for it. The actual incision didn't hurt hardly at all for me. I think my incision may be larger than normal (tell me if I'm wrong) because they had a little trouble finding my parathyroids. But it is healing really well! It looks even better than the photo now. Afterwards I felt a little more achy than usual but now I feel great! Good luck to you and let us know how it goes.
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: rose1999 on April 25, 2008, 07:30:13 AM
Hope all goes well NVRWKN, hope you continue to do well spacezombie  :thumbup;
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: BigSky on April 25, 2008, 07:44:12 AM
Just wondering if those scheduled for parathyroid removal or those that have had it done havent tried a combination of sensipar and hectoral to lower PTH levels?
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: spacezombie on April 25, 2008, 01:44:36 PM
Just wondering if those scheduled for parathyroid removal or those that have had it done havent tried a combination of sensipar and hectoral to lower PTH levels?

I was on 90mg of Sensipar twice a day before my surgery, but my PTH was still over 2000 (although, it was on its way down from over 3000). I did not try hectoral, however. My PTH levels had been out of control for many years though.
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: BigSky on April 25, 2008, 02:04:13 PM
Just wondering if those scheduled for parathyroid removal or those that have had it done havent tried a combination of sensipar and hectoral to lower PTH levels?

I was on 90mg of Sensipar twice a day before my surgery, but my PTH was still over 2000 (although, it was on its way down from over 3000). I did not try hectoral, however. My PTH levels had been out of control for many years though.


Wonder why they didnt try the max dose of sensipar suggested (180mg)  in combination with hectoral to lower before resorting to surgery.
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: spacezombie on April 25, 2008, 02:15:59 PM
Just wondering if those scheduled for parathyroid removal or those that have had it done havent tried a combination of sensipar and hectoral to lower PTH levels?

I was on 90mg of Sensipar twice a day before my surgery, but my PTH was still over 2000 (although, it was on its way down from over 3000). I did not try hectoral, however. My PTH levels had been out of control for many years though.


Wonder why they didnt try the max dose of sensipar suggested (180mg)  in combination with hectoral to lower before resorting to surgery.

I think because I was already throwing up on 90mg, twice a day... maybe? I'm short and I don't weigh much so perhaps that dosage is too much for me. I don't know why I wasn't given anything else to try to lower it. I was happy with the surgery though. The pain in my bones is completely gone now, only a couple of months after surgery.
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: thegrammalady on April 25, 2008, 04:29:21 PM
i had one removed in 1999, before kidney failure. it wasn't a big deal. the scar is small and hardly noticeable. my throat was a bit sore and a bit swollen when i woke up, but they gave me a shot for the swelling and i didn't really have any other problems. they cut the amount of calcium i was taking a bit too much and i had a reaction, however that was after i was home and easily taken care of. if your system doesn't have enough calcium your body will buzz, something like a foot that has gone to sleep.  if that happens call doctor immediately, it can be handled by taken extra calcium, but you may have to go to er.  i wouldn't expect that you will have any problems. good luck, we'll be thinking of you, let us know how it goes.
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: jbeany on April 25, 2008, 07:02:51 PM
Just wondering if those scheduled for parathyroid removal or those that have had it done havent tried a combination of sensipar and hectoral to lower PTH levels?

I was on Sensipar, and it wasn't working, so they switched me to IV Hectorol.  Now, they've decided to put me back on Sensipar as well, so see if it will work better in combination.  We'll see.  My co-pay has gone up since they started me on the Hectorol.  The Sensipar will now cost me $100 a month.  The Hectorol is free for me, since I get it from the center.  I haven't got the money for the Sensipar, so they have samples for the first two weeks. Sad but true - even if it works, I can't afford it!  The surgery wouldn't cost me anything either.  The Hectorol is working, although slowly.  Maybe two weeks of the combination will give it a bump back to where it's supposed to be, and then I can continue with the Hectorol to maintain it - now wouldn't that be nice!

NVRWKN - I hope the surgery goes well for you. 
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: rookiegirl on April 25, 2008, 07:21:42 PM
I started taking (5x/wk) Hectorol this week because my PTH levels in 500's.

What happens to your body if they remove your PTH?

Don't we need our PTH?

What symptoms do you go through that let's you know you will need your PTH removed?

This is some scary stuff.  Please advise.

Thanks,
RG
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: twirl on April 28, 2008, 12:19:11 PM
OH NO,,,, me too, I go to the throat doc Thursday :-\
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: NVRWKN on April 28, 2008, 03:15:22 PM
I go Thursday too!!!     :boxing; :Kit n Stik; :sir ken;
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: monrein on April 28, 2008, 07:39:20 PM
Well, between the punching, whacking and mooning the doc'll never get near your throat to have a look. :rofl; :rofl;
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: NVRWKN on April 30, 2008, 07:51:26 PM
I go to the surgeon tomorrow about upcoming surgery. Just can't wait to see what they say. It's always a surprise and adventure.    :banghead;
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: Sluff on May 01, 2008, 04:05:30 AM
I hope it all works out.  Just another bump in the road. I guess. Let us know what the surgeon has to say. Keep your spirits high.
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: twirl on May 01, 2008, 04:30:49 AM
I get my throat slit too...... :'(
I don't want to but my numbers are as high as the lottery
Sluff words of comfort please
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: twirl on May 02, 2008, 02:01:15 PM
I have less than a week.......... :( :'( >:( :beer1;(I wish)
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: G-Ma on May 02, 2008, 08:52:53 PM
Now I'm afeared...(my dictionary)....when the surgeon's nurse called today she said the radiologist found a nodule on my thyroid...is this something that goes along with this crazy ESRD??? 
G Ma
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: angela515 on May 02, 2008, 09:28:05 PM
Here is my story with my parathyroidcetomy:

http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=2322.msg43012#msg43012

It's on pages 9-10.

I also had to have a thyroid removed because they found cancer, and they also had to go in twice. But as you read, it still went good.
 :grouphug;
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: NVRWKN on May 03, 2008, 06:05:49 AM
My spirits are always high. I don't let this crap get me down.  :boxing;  He told me I have the bone structure of a 60 yr old. That sucks! I said great I was going bull riding this weekend.LOL! But not really. I go in for the surgery the 27th of May. So like i said here we go again. Just one more scar to be asked questions about. Hey at least it create conversation. Life's Good!  Never Weaken!
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: twirl on May 05, 2008, 05:22:18 PM
my operation is thursday    :puke; :( :o ??? :P :-\ :'(    mixed emotions none happy
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: kitkatz on May 06, 2008, 03:53:08 PM
I was nervous but then they did spring it on me at the last minute. Not enough time to work up to a real spaz attack.  Relax. You are going to sleep through it. You will wake up with a majorly sore throat.  That was the worst part for me.
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: NVRWKN on May 06, 2008, 09:42:31 PM
Thanks all. I'm not nervous at all. After all the surgeries you kinda get used to them.  I'm to stubborn for anything to happen to me in there. See I'm kinda strange. I look forward to the last 10 seconds before I go out. It's my fun time. Short but fun. Twirl good luck!  NEVER WEAKEN!!!!          :keefer:
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: twirl on May 07, 2008, 03:23:16 AM
good luck to you also         we are in this together         looking forward to the drugs
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: Treasure on May 07, 2008, 06:17:36 PM
oh, my! so many high PTH cases!

my pth was 4000 for a while, in spite of the sensipar.  i had a really serious allergic reaction to the IV hectoral...so they kept upping the sensipar. and that made me throw up....all the time...  so i just stopped taking it for awhile.

my pth is now between 200-400... so i've started taking the sensipar again. my pth will, as usual, climb up again.

i have asked, countless times, if they would just take my parathyroids out, but they always refuse. even when i have been going in for other kinds of surgery, i have asked...almost begged...but, they just won't do it.

*sniffle* i had hoped that when i had my transplant, that that would settle things...but it didn't. i know one day i'm going to work around all this kidney business, but i don't know that the pth problem will ever me solved. :(
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: G on May 24, 2008, 05:26:08 PM
Do your joints hurt? Before they took my parathyroid I could hardly move or walk. I was on a regular pain regimen. After the surgery the relief was almost instantaneous! Within a couple days I was up and around with virtually no joint pain. Aaahhh, relief!
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: angela515 on May 24, 2008, 06:36:53 PM
Some people have joint pain for other reasons as well.
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: G on May 24, 2008, 09:37:35 PM
True
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: okarol on May 25, 2008, 11:34:19 AM


Hey NVRWKN - haven't seen you post in awhile, are you still scheduled for Tuesday?
Hope all goes well!  :waving;
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: MiSSis on May 25, 2008, 12:44:02 PM
I've had 4 parathyroidectomies because the little buggers keep coming back.  Each time I was told they removed 3 complete nodes, leaving only 1 or a part of 1 because they don't want to remove all of them.  Some of the hormone the parathyroids secrete is still necessary in order to maintain bone.  My first 3 surgeries all took place in the late 80's and early 90's and maybe it wasn't common practice back then but with my last parathyoidectomy, the surgeon took the remaining piece and auto-transplanted it into my left forearm.  Apparently these little guys don't care where they live but can do their job from anywhere.  I sure wish I'd know about this auto-transplanting procedure earlier, like with my first surgery.  Then they wouldn't have had to keep going back into my throat each time.  My last surgery was in 2003 and I was 49 by then.  It was much more difficult to recover from that one than any of the earlier ones.  If your doctor hasn't mentioned the auto-transplant option, you might want to bring it up.  If there's ever a next time when they feel they need to readjust the size of my remaining parathyroid, now it can be done under a local anesthetic, thank heavens.
Title: Re: I need to have my parathyroid removed in the next few weeks.
Post by: Sluff on May 25, 2008, 01:00:32 PM
Hope everything goes well. Will be thinkin of you.  :waving;