nodule found on thyroid

musickelly

Hello,
Two years ago, I was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in situ on the right vocal chord.I was luck because they caught it early and surgery was all I had to have done. Well, at my two year check-up I told my doctor that I had been having alot of aching in my neck, jaw and ear. I pushed for him to do a CAT-scan because of the way I felt. My vocal chords looked good, but he decided to take a look. Well, today they called me and told me that they found a small mass on my right thyroid. He wants me to come in for an untrasound and possibly a FNA. I asked him if I should be alarmed and he said that this is common, but they just want to take a look. I asked him if the aching had anything to do with all this. He said that he didn't think it did. Has anyone with thyroid cancer had any aching in the jaw and neck? I have been reading alot and see that 90% are benign, but it still has me worried. I would love to hear some insight from thryoid cancer patience. Thanks! Kelly

lilmonkeyshine

hi i never had any pain with my nodule prior to the surgery and finding out i had thyroid cancer you may want to ask for a FNA of the nodule or ask for an uptake scan to see if it is a hot or cold nodule, most people will have small nodules on thier thyroid and never know it i hope this is of some help

amyrhona

Hi Kelly,

I'm sorry you've had aching in your neck, jaw and ear. I never had any pain before my cancer was diagnosed or even after it was diagnosed, but I did have pain after my radioactive iodine treatments in my parotid salivary glands (in my cheeks and jaw) that hurt a lot. Did you see if your salivary glands are okay? Did you have any radiation that may have damaged them? Because I have found that my salivary glands can really make my neck and jaw ache pretty badly. I saw an ENT oncologist surgeon for it, actually; it was bad enough for me to go see someone over it. One other thing... one thing I learned from having cancer is that VERY often I have had symptoms that the doctors say I "shouldn't" have and aren't typical. It's like they almost don't believe me and they have told me, "well, it can't be from this or that" when I know darn well it is. I think that doctor's will say that something can't be the cause of your pain when they've just never heard of it causing pain. I have only met one doctor that just takes me at my word and doesn't ever tell me that what I'm feeling isn't real or typical. So, I guess that is a really long answer to your question. No, I haven't had aching from the actual cancer but yes, I have had it from the treatment. I really hope your nodule is benign. I do know the stats are that most nodules are. I know several other nurses that I work with who have had nodules on their thyroids for years and it's nothing. I think they just get them checked periodically. I've never met in person any other person who had a cancerous nodule. I remember being told when my doctor first palpated my thyroid that it was most likely nothing to worry about and I think she even told me that 98% were non-cancerous. I remember it was a very high number that the odds were in my favor for it not being cancer. But even if you do find out it is cancer, just post a post about it and tell all of us and you will have a lot of support through whatever treatment you have to have. Cancer is so scary. I hate the waiting for test results and appointments the most. I always just want to know what I'm dealing with IMMEDIATELY! And I've found that there's so much waiting involved. Keep us all posted. Good luck and I really hope for you that your nodule is nothing.

Take Care,

Amy

cboo1974

nodule found on thyroid
I just found out that I have thyroid cancer. When I went to see the ENT doctor to be refered for a sleep study the doctors assistant found a lump in my troat. I never felt any pain in my throat or jaw. The only problem I had was swallowing pills and sometimes food would get stuck. I felt the same way when I read that 90% nodules come back benign. I worried myself for days then trying to think positively told myself it was not cancer, even friends and family told me not to worry. Then 2 days after my surgery to remove the right side of my thyroid I got a call from my doctor telling me I have thyroid cancer. I felt numb, couldn't even think of questions to ask him while he was on the phone. Now I am waiting until Tuesday when I go in to get the stitches out and have all these questions running through my mind. Have questions ready to ask in case you do have cancer!! Be prepared for the possibility!!

jade12

cboo1974 said:

nodule found on thyroid
I just found out that I have thyroid cancer. When I went to see the ENT doctor to be refered for a sleep study the doctors assistant found a lump in my troat. I never felt any pain in my throat or jaw. The only problem I had was swallowing pills and sometimes food would get stuck. I felt the same way when I read that 90% nodules come back benign. I worried myself for days then trying to think positively told myself it was not cancer, even friends and family told me not to worry. Then 2 days after my surgery to remove the right side of my thyroid I got a call from my doctor telling me I have thyroid cancer. I felt numb, couldn't even think of questions to ask him while he was on the phone. Now I am waiting until Tuesday when I go in to get the stitches out and have all these questions running through my mind. Have questions ready to ask in case you do have cancer!! Be prepared for the possibility!!

Hi, I just join today and
Hi, I just join today and am not sure how this works. I would like to know about the surgery. They found a nodule and did a biopsy and i just got the results they were incuncluesive. That i have a 20% chance it cancer i'm going to see a surgeon in 2 weeks to have my thyroid either partially or totally removed. I'm so scared i dont know what to expect. My question is how long were you in the hospital, is the scar bad, was it painfull. anything you can tell me i would greatly appreciate. I've been on the internet looking at picture and reading and man am i scared.

cboo1974

jade12 said:

Hi, I just join today and
Hi, I just join today and am not sure how this works. I would like to know about the surgery. They found a nodule and did a biopsy and i just got the results they were incuncluesive. That i have a 20% chance it cancer i'm going to see a surgeon in 2 weeks to have my thyroid either partially or totally removed. I'm so scared i dont know what to expect. My question is how long were you in the hospital, is the scar bad, was it painfull. anything you can tell me i would greatly appreciate. I've been on the internet looking at picture and reading and man am i scared.

surgery
Hi Jade12,
I had thyroid surgery on Oct.7th and my biopsy came back positive for cancer and I went in on Oct.21st to remove the rest of my thyroid. Each time I only stayed overnight in the hospital. Pain meds and cool compress help with the pain from the surgery but the pain is not so bad. They only make the incision as big as it will take to get the thyroid out so it's not that bad and the incision is made in a crease of the neck so once it heals you reallt won't notice the scar. Be prepared with questions just in case it is cancer like what type is it, what are treatment options, has it spreaad, and what stage is it, just to give you an idea of questions. I hope this will help you. The best place to go for help and just to talk with other cancer patients is the chat room which is an option right under the discussion boards.
Cindy

JJS1018

jade12 said:

Hi, I just join today and
Hi, I just join today and am not sure how this works. I would like to know about the surgery. They found a nodule and did a biopsy and i just got the results they were incuncluesive. That i have a 20% chance it cancer i'm going to see a surgeon in 2 weeks to have my thyroid either partially or totally removed. I'm so scared i dont know what to expect. My question is how long were you in the hospital, is the scar bad, was it painfull. anything you can tell me i would greatly appreciate. I've been on the internet looking at picture and reading and man am i scared.

Hi Jade,
I also joined
Hi Jade,

I also joined today. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer two years ago this past October. I was in the hospital overnight. I think my nerves was the worst of my illness. I was advised a complete thtyroid removal. I have the slightest scar ever. My new internist was surprised when I brought it to her attention. I had no reactions of any kind. The unknown was the worst. I was out of work for two weeks only because I was black and blue. Several weeks later I took a radioactive pill and had to be in isolation for a few days. That was very hard on myself and my family. I had asked my daughter to stay with a friend for a few days. I then missed a few days again of work. I have had no other reactions and my endocronologist has regulated my thyroid medicine completed. I am on thyroid and not the generic. The worse part of the whole illness was a gained weight and can't seem to knock it off. If I can help you in any way please email jjs1018@aol.com. I was given alot of support and would be happy to reciprocate.

ivyanrose

JJS1018 said:

Hi Jade,
I also joined
Hi Jade,

I also joined today. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer two years ago this past October. I was in the hospital overnight. I think my nerves was the worst of my illness. I was advised a complete thtyroid removal. I have the slightest scar ever. My new internist was surprised when I brought it to her attention. I had no reactions of any kind. The unknown was the worst. I was out of work for two weeks only because I was black and blue. Several weeks later I took a radioactive pill and had to be in isolation for a few days. That was very hard on myself and my family. I had asked my daughter to stay with a friend for a few days. I then missed a few days again of work. I have had no other reactions and my endocronologist has regulated my thyroid medicine completed. I am on thyroid and not the generic. The worse part of the whole illness was a gained weight and can't seem to knock it off. If I can help you in any way please email jjs1018@aol.com. I was given alot of support and would be happy to reciprocate.

Hello, Everyone!
I read all of the posts here.

I have not gone to see any doctor because I have no resources to do so. That's why I read a lot on the Internet.

I have a lump on my thyroid as big as a huge meatball that anybody can clearly see. It moves whenever I talk, swallow, sing, etc. I first saw it three years ago when it was the size of a playing marble. It grew over time. When I swallow, it goes upward and it is biggest at that point. Maybe, 2 inches long and fat and round and HARD like rock. I have dry skin all over. I have to keep on applying Ultra Skin Lotion non-stop or petroleum jelly. Lately, the nerves all around the lump has piercing-like pain every now and then. Other nerves all over my body gets piercing pain whenever pressed on. I get bruises very easily. I have constant bloody nose on my left nostril. My nodule is slightly to the left. I can't be in a sitting position for long periods of time with legs down because my legs get swollen. I ALWAYS need to let my legs lie horizontal or higher. My eyes have stinging pain from time to time and my vision seem to be not so good. I have high prescription contact lenses, but lately, it seems like my eyes can't tolerate the lenses too long each day now. I had been wearing contact lenses since I was 15 years old. I'm now 47 years old. I'm a woman. Even with contact lenses on or eyeglasses on, sometimes, I feel my eyeballs just losing its vision. I get numb sensation all over the back of my head or sometimes the entire head including my entire back. Sometimes, I get tingling, burning sensation in my arms, shoulders and legs and feet. My bones in my sole feel like it is chipping sometimes.

But other than these, I feel well. I go to the gym once a week. I need to workout more but work made it difficult for me to find time for this.

Should I be alarmed?

cboo1974

ivyanrose said:

Hello, Everyone!
I read all of the posts here.

I have not gone to see any doctor because I have no resources to do so. That's why I read a lot on the Internet.

I have a lump on my thyroid as big as a huge meatball that anybody can clearly see. It moves whenever I talk, swallow, sing, etc. I first saw it three years ago when it was the size of a playing marble. It grew over time. When I swallow, it goes upward and it is biggest at that point. Maybe, 2 inches long and fat and round and HARD like rock. I have dry skin all over. I have to keep on applying Ultra Skin Lotion non-stop or petroleum jelly. Lately, the nerves all around the lump has piercing-like pain every now and then. Other nerves all over my body gets piercing pain whenever pressed on. I get bruises very easily. I have constant bloody nose on my left nostril. My nodule is slightly to the left. I can't be in a sitting position for long periods of time with legs down because my legs get swollen. I ALWAYS need to let my legs lie horizontal or higher. My eyes have stinging pain from time to time and my vision seem to be not so good. I have high prescription contact lenses, but lately, it seems like my eyes can't tolerate the lenses too long each day now. I had been wearing contact lenses since I was 15 years old. I'm now 47 years old. I'm a woman. Even with contact lenses on or eyeglasses on, sometimes, I feel my eyeballs just losing its vision. I get numb sensation all over the back of my head or sometimes the entire head including my entire back. Sometimes, I get tingling, burning sensation in my arms, shoulders and legs and feet. My bones in my sole feel like it is chipping sometimes.

But other than these, I feel well. I go to the gym once a week. I need to workout more but work made it difficult for me to find time for this.

Should I be alarmed?

Hi
Hello Ivyanrose,
I'm not a doctor but it seems to me like you may have more than just a problem with your thyroid. I had a nodule on the right side of my thyroid that had to be removed, it wasn't until after the surgery that it was found to be cancerous. I was told by my ENT that if I did not have the nodule removed, mind you this was before it was found to be cancer, that I would eventually stop breathing because it would block my airway. From the sounds of yours it has gotten fairly large. Go and get it looked at. If insurance is a problem look into finding some somewhere. I'm not sure if you are working or what your income is but medicaid could be a possibility. Just don't wait because if it is thyroid cancer it can spread and that makes it harder to treat.
Cindy

Unknown

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