Carito - what wasn't working with propranolol? I have been on it for 2.5 years now. It's doing what it's supposed to do - slowing my heart rate down. I am down to 10mg every morning but if I have more than one glass of wine in the evening, I find I need another 5mg. My LDL doubled after I started taking it, so my endocrinologist was eager to take me off it, but we just can't seem to regulate my heart rate without it. My new endo did mention there are “better beta blockers than propranolol.” Like krcole, I also find myself short of breath often, but I attributed that to the palpitations…maybe it IS the propranolol. Next time I see him, I'm going to ask about metoprolol or any other BB that will not drive my LDL through the roof. My goal is come off it completely with six months.

krcole - sorry to hijack your post but I figured my question to Carito about propranolol might be of interest to others on here as well. I hope you find the surgery brings relief. It sounds like this is just one more thing you don't need to deal with and I wish you the best.

Hi!

I will definitely keep ya'll posted. I also appreciate all the encouragment and advice. Especially seeing the comments about the beta blocker!

My mom won't be able to come for surgery (I live on the West Coast; Mama and Daddy live in MS). My sisters will be here (they live out here with me). I will have them post after surgery to let everyone know how things went!

Again, thank you so much for being there and for everything ya'll are doing to support me! No matter, day or night, I know that someone is out there and knows what the heck I am feeling. That thought gives me overwhelming comfort.

Blessings,
KRCole

Hi Krcole, I'll be rooting for you too! Individual beta-blockers do vary in how intensely they can cause the shortness of breath symptom. I had it a while back after taking atenolol for a year, but later was able to take metoprolol without a problem. All of the drugs have different half-lives too with propranolol being the shortest, so to get more even effects on your heart rate a switch to one of the other blockers might help you too. Good luck on your surgery!

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to give a post surgery update.

A brief recap to remind and catch up everyone…At the end of June, I had an infection that kept me in the hospital for 5 days. While working up the infection they found a mass in my neck. They referred me to a surgeon for removal. During the pre-op work up for surgery (two days prior) they tested my thyroid due to complaints of some shortness of breath. Turns out I had Grave's. Surgery was canceled, I saw an endo, and then surgery was rescheduled to include the removal of the thyroid plus the mass. Now to the update…

So I went in for surgery on August 7 to remove the thyroid and the suspicious mass.

The surgery went great. The mass that they were so worried about was a begnin tumor. Most likely a one time occurance and nothing I should worry about again. As custom for all thyroid removals, they also sent the thyroid to pathology.

Today I had my post op appointment with the surgeon. He came in with the pathology report re: the thyroid.

There is no pretty way to say it…he did a really good job; but I can't…I have thyroid cancer. He said that he had seen the mass on the thyroid when he got in there. It was fairly early, but as with all cancers despite removal attempts…there is going to be follow up treatment. I am being rushed back to the endo MD tomorrow afternoon.

This story has taken another turn in the events of all the other craziness and this one, for me, is very scary. I am a hospice chaplain. I know what cancer can do.

New question:

DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE SUCH AS THIS? ANY ADVICE? How do things like this happen! We are going to talk about the RAI and traditional radiation tomorrow. Please, if you have walked this road…I would love to hear from you.

Again, as it is late at night, I am up and you are here in spirit with me. In the shock of the visit today (they had alleved my fears of the mass almost instantly so never did I imagine a cancer dx today), I got lost and it all became a blur. I didn't cry. All I could done was laugh at the absurdity of this moment and the past two months. I am sure he thinks I am crazy! With all the hormone changes I have been crying like crazy at magazine articles, tv commercials, the Olmypics. This moment was the only laugh today…until I began to process the statement “I have cancer.”

I appreciate your support, thoughts, and prayers. Just knowing that you are all here as a resource and support group has helped so much and helped me smile several times of the last week.

Know that I also keep ya'll in my thought and prayers.

As we continue to walk this journey…

Katie

First- Breathe. Second ((((( Katie)))))
Now, my Dad had thyroid cancer and lived to a ripe old age. I have had two different types of cancer and I'm groovy. Cancer DOES NOT have to mean a death sentence. Remember that!!!!!
My Dad had his thyroid removed and some radiation. He took thyroid meds. He lived a full, active, normal life.
Sending up lots of prayers for Katie!!!!
- Karen

Hi Katie - I'm so sorry that you got this news. We will definitely keep you in our thoughts! I know that this can't completely take away the shock or the fear that you are feeling, but thyroid cancer is very treatable, and patients generally have an excellent prognosis.

I do know of at least two other members of this board who discovered that they had thyroid cancer after surgery for Graves'. You might use the “search posts” feature in the top right-hand corner of the screen to read their stories.

ThyCa, an organization for thyroid cancer survivors, has wonderful resources on their web site, a large network of in-person support groups, and many educational events (including an upcoming conference). If you would like to learn more, here is a link to their web site:

http://www.thyca.org/ [thyca.org]

Please take care – and keep us all posted on how you are doing.

Dear Katie,

It is good to get an update. I was thinking about you a few days ago and wondering how all had gone with your surgeries.

I'm sad to hear about your thyroid CA diagnosis Sometimes when it rains it pours, doesn't it? Its not fair but to be positive, I'm glad that it was found early and that the mass in your neck was not malignant. I'm also glad that your surgery went well and that you are on your way on getting the treatment you need.

My grandfather had throat cancer. He had it removed and had the necessary treatment. He went on to live a normal healthy life until around 79 when he became sick of something non-related to the throat cancer.

You are in our thoughts and prayers. I wish with all of my heart that soon you will be feeling better and that your treatments are a success. Please keep us posted. I'll be looking forward to reading more updates from you.

Hugs,
Caro

P.S. You are a fighter … Hang in there!!!

Katie, I know three people who have had the same situation. Thyroid cancer is slow growing and usually contained. It is a NON ISSUE in their lives 8, 16. And 30 years later. Excellent prognosis.
Graves will be part of your world forever. But thyroid cancer will not.
Shirley

gatorgirly
Carito - what wasn't working with propranolol? I have been on it for 2.5 years now. It's doing what it's supposed to do - slowing my heart rate down. I am down to 10mg every morning but if I have more than one glass of wine in the evening, I find I need another 5mg. My LDL doubled after I started taking it, so my endocrinologist was eager to take me off it, but we just can't seem to regulate my heart rate without it. My new endo did mention there are “better beta blockers than propranolol.” Like krcole, I also find myself short of breath often, but I attributed that to the palpitations…maybe it IS the propranolol. Next time I see him, I'm going to ask about metoprolol or any other BB that will not drive my LDL through the roof. My goal is come off it completely with six months.

Hello gatorgirly,

I'm sorry I just now saw your post. I most have missed it somehow. I hope you find my answer to your question. The Propranolol wasn't regulating my Heart Rate. It was working but I was having to take a pill 6 times a day and it was driving me insane. My heart rate was going up and down. I couldn't sleep at night because it was elevated and I needed something that would regulated and keep it constant so my General Dr recommended Metoprolol. I take it once a day and I don't even notice my heart rate anymore. The Metoprolol regulated it right away … even at the beginning when I was still very hyper. I don't really know what my LDL is doing right now but in Feb my Total was 210, which is very unusual for me. I was surprised as to how high it was. My General Dr. says that it is probably related to GD and wants to check it again once things have normalized. As for the shortness of breath, I had it too with Propranolol but it went away with the Metoprolol. It could have been my heart being elevated all of the time or it could have been that the Propranolol affects the lungs a lot more than the Metoprolol. Do ask your Dr. about it. My heart is now in the 60s and 70s and it used to be b/w 114-124bpm without a BB but with Propranolol it would only come down to the high 90s. I used to run in the 60s before I got sick with GD symptoms. Hope you feel better soon. Let me know how it goes.

Caro

Wow! You have had to deal with a lot of disconcerting news. I have a friend who had thyroid cancer in her mid-twenties. I was going to say 10 years ago but then did the math and realized that we are now 40 so it has been 15 years. She had a very noticable lump (about the size of a nickle) when she was diagnosed. She ended up having a total surgical thyroidectomy which was followed by RAI to finish off any remaining tyroid tissue. She had a pretty rapid recovery and now takes replacement. She is doing very well, healthy and active. She also has a healthy preschooler and had no issues with her pregnancy. Do check out the ThyCA site that Kimberly suggested. My friend also found a lot of support at Gilda's Club.

Keep us posted.

Laurel