nodule found on thyroid

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 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.

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 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