Have high blood pressure? high calcium levels?
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photo credit: pasotraspaso
This is my two week post op report card, and it’s a good one!
The first week was rough, I’m sure just due to the effects that any surgery has on your system along with hormone and blood chemicals all flying up and down, but now at two weeks post op from my parathyroidectomy I am feeling MUCH better.The symptoms that were IMMEDIATELY fixed are:
- my blood pressure is now totally normal, all the time
- normal bladder control (pre-op I ALWAYS had to pee and could barely make it in time)
- bone and muscle pain GONE!
- I have lost 7 pounds (yeah!)
- digestion MUCH improved
- Sex Drive back… (double yeah!)
Still to go:
I am currently REALLY emotional, I didn’t have the mood swings when I was pre-op like some people do, but I am having them now… I’m thinking it has to do with the parathyroid having to adjust itself.
I still get a little shakey when I don’t get my calcium. I had an appointment with my Endocrinologist on Tuesday and he has me on 1000 milligrams of calcium 4x a day along with a prescription for Vitamin D that I take once a week. I am also scheduled for a bone density scan in two weeks to see how much damage has been done to my bones during this calcium leaching period of God only knows how long. After he looks at that and determines the results he’ll redo my levels.
I am musing that perhaps my weight gain over the last two years and onset of menopause symptoms including rapid weight gain for now apparent reason may have to do with the fact I read on my synthyroid medication I picked up yesterday. (I also have Hashimoto’s Thyroid Disease) It says not to take it with calcium… so I’m wondering if that was/is part of the reason for the weight gain (Hashimoto’s is hypo thyroid) is that the synthyroid couldn’t really do it’s job to help regulate my metabolism with my calcium levels being constantly so high in my blood stream. Only time will tell.
All in all the results of the parathyroidectomy are a huge success. 
Read all my previous posts on this journey
Pt 5: 2 Days Post Operative
pt 4: Tomorrow is Surgery Day
pt 3: Consultation with the Surgeon
Definition :
“Parathyroidectomy“
Parathyroidectomy is surgery to remove parathyroid glands or parathyroid tumors. Parathyroidectomy is recommended when one or more parathyroid glands are producing excessive amounts of parathyroid hormone.
Yippee!!!! Things sound like they are “working” the way they should be. Our bodies are so amazing. How does it all work the way it should (or shouldn’t!).
Sounds like you are doing the “happy dance”!!!!!\
hugs, k…
kathleen’s last blog post..give me a break…
I am SO happy to hear you are feeling better right now. What a roller coaster it must have been!
Andrea Kalli’s last blog post..Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-05-27
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Hello, my name is Julie. I’ve just been reading your posts concerning hyperparathyroidism. I too, have this condition. I can relate to every symptom you described. I just thought all my aches and pains were normal aging but good grief I’m not even 50.
I’m not having such good luck with my endocrinologist. She insisted on a bone density scan. I thought this was not necessary since I’ve already had two and been diagnosised with osteporosis since 2006. Never the less I went along with it. I’m still waiting to hear back from her. Since we know it is hyperparathyroidism (verified by blood work) I just want to get it fixed. If getting it fixed makes me feel 10 years younger I can’t wait. This is affecting my job, my home life, everything I do.
It’s so good to hear your procedure was a success
What about your calcium levels and your parathyroid hormone levels? are those elevated? That’s what led the docs to know that I had the condition and needed the surgery. Just getting all my hospital bills in this week.. YIKES! I’m so lucky that my husband has a good job with a big company so we have good insurance. My endo didn’t have my bone density test done until after surgery and after I’ve been on the high doses of Vitamin D and Calcium post op. I did that last week… I will see my endo at six weeks.
High calcium and high parathyroid is what caused my primary care doctor to refer me to the endo. I’m hoping I hear something today about the bone density.
It’s just so frustrating to finally know what is causing so many of my problems. I’ve never gone to the doctor and complained about anything. Now that there is a reason to complain it is taking so long to get the treatment I so desperateley need.
I also have good insurance and can handle the bills. I’m just worried that since I don’t live in a metro area I might not be able to find an experienced surgeon. How did you pick your surgeon. Did you get recommendations from your endo. Did you ask how many parathyroidectomies he/she had performed.
The endo’s nurse just called. She said my osteoporosis is stable but because of my age she wants me to have a sestamibi scan and meet with a surgeon. Finally we are moving forward and can get this problem fixed.
Julie.. I’m just wondering how your tests came out. I am soon to get my results back from my bone density scan and my 3 month check up and wondered how you were doing?
.-= Chrissy´s last blog ..Suggestions for Our Vacation in San Francisco, Monterrey Bay, Napa Valley CA =-.
Hello to all,
Obviously, I am male and this looks like a female blog, however, my yahoo search made this a hit as item 4. I have uncontrolled high blood pressure, am tired all the time (yeah, I’m 54 but….), no sex drive and have had high calcium levels for some time. Just had gall bladder out and feel much better but have stomach acid that could peal dried paint off the drive way. Have good doctors but are poo pooing the idea of hyper parathyroidizm. I need to cut my nails about once a week, have tophacious (bumps) gout but now wonder if it isn’t calcium related gout rather than uric acid caused. Any comments? Thoughts? Suggestions? Please share, I am sick and tired of feeling sick and tired.
It sounds like you could definitely have hyper-parathyroidism! It’s not just a ladies thing… lol My endocrinologist says it’s one of the most under-diagnosed conditions out there right now… My glands in my neck were always swollen and kind of sore… now I have none of that.. Have your doc check your parathyroid hormone.. and if it’s out of whack then you definitely have this easily fixed problem. Please let me know what you find out!
Dear Chrissy,
Thank you for your prompt reply, I was afraid that I may be intuding upon yours and the other ladies site! Just as an FYI, my wife is sick and tired of my bitchy mood and lack of desire to do anything period. I know she will be very greatful if I can find resolution to this problem.
I need to do an update with the Doc early next month and will insist on this testing to be completed. Is there a specific test that I should request? I see from some other serching that it is a PTH test (??). I also see a doctor in the Tampa Bay Florida area has a site that promotes his testing and surgery (of course!). Didn’t save his name, are you or other familiar with him?
I live in the Greater Metro Detroit area, any hospitals/doctors to recommend will be welcomed.
I pray you and others that have had this condition corrected are all doing well and have enjoyed this last holiday weekend of the summer. God Bless to all.
Phil
Hello Chrissy
This is Oralba . I was checking online and found your page. I just had a Parathyroidectomy done last Thursday (Sep 3th), and don’t feel very well. I am very anxious and worry thinking that I am going to feel this way from now and then. Please, let me know if I can contact you to talk about it. I would love to know about your experience. How many days/weeks did you need to feel good again!. What were your symptoms after the surgery etc. I apologize for taking the liberty to write to you and ask you this, but i am kind of desesperate.
I am taking 4 tablets of CITRACAL with vitamin D for the first week, then I would take three and then two tablets, plus a muntivitamin tablet also.
I did feel ok yesterday, but today has been very difficult for me. I feel my head haevy, anxiety, my eyes are a little blurry etc.
I hope you get this message soon and let me know your opinion.
I am sorry if I bother you but I hope you understand my concern.
Have a wonderful day!
God bless you!!
Oralba.-
I had primary hyperparathyroid surgery april 2009 and feel much better. I still have to fix my foot and leg cramps which I assumed would be better by now and I still have awful plantar faciatis and other foot pain, knee, back and hand/arm pain. All of these may be from something else. If anyone else has or had these continuing issues, please let me know if you have any suggestions or maybe it’s just a waiting game and will miraculously disappear? This pain is nothing compared to what I was experiencing and I am a new person and am thrilled with the surgery results. Carol
Hi Carol,
I wonder if your Endo is watching your calcium and Vitamin D levels? I’ve been reading more and more about how much the right balance of Calcium and Vitamin have to do with pain. I’m on a prescription dose of Vitamin D along with 2000 milligrams of Calcium a day.
thanks chrissy. went for 3 week follow-up after surgery with Endo and had blood work-up before I saw him and since calcium was normal, he said to come back in a year. it’s 6 months post op so I’ll definately call for appointment and blood check up. appreciate your blog and advice. (only other “person” i know who has had this operation, is a little doggy across the street! he’s doing much better too!!!) thanks again, carol