Post-Parathyroid Recoveery

Hi, all. I am a 24 year-old male living in the states. After around a year of feeling like complete crap.. (EXTREME fatigue, ibs, rib/abdominal pain, headaches, shortness of breath, etc.).. I was diagnosed with Primary Hyperparathyroidism (a rare disease for my gender/age group).

On July 12th, 2016 (two weeks ago today), I had surgery to remove the offending gland (which was found on an ultrasound). My surgeon was excellent and managed to remove the gland that was located on the scan, only to find that my intra-operative PTH level didn't decline at all (my pre and intra-operative PTH level was 55).

After informing my parents in the waiting room that he needed to carry-out a complete 4-gland exploration (thank god he was knowledgeable enough to do so), he ended up finding a tumor on another one of my glands that had descended into my chest-area (and he removed it).

Almost immediately, my intra-operative PTH dropped to a 13, and stayed there. I was released that day.

Now, here's where the depressing/tricky part comes in. So just a recap:

- 2 glands removed

- preoperative PTH = 55 / postoperative PTH = 13

- both upper right/left glands STILL REMAIN (and seemed to not be producing excess PTH upon surgical inspection)

- released from hospital 2 hours later and said to be CURED

Now, for the first week-or-so, I felt INCREDIBLE. All of my cramps, headaches, fatigue, ibs, acid reflux, etc just completely went away (no exaggeration here).

However, almost exactly a week later, I feel like complete crap again. The only symptom that has returned is my RIDICULOUS FATIGUE. I'm talking the kind of fatigue where a nap doesn't even help. Sleeping in doesn't help. Coffee doesn't help. Nothing helps.

I just want to reach out to those of you who have ALSO had parathyroid surgery in the past, and had symptoms linger/return. I am DESPERATE for help and for an answer. I took control of this myself and yesterday reached out to my surgeon who re-ordered a CBC, CMP and a PTH test (to see if my levels have risen or diminshed enough to be causing issues).

My question to WHOEVER can help me or offer support/advice is:

"how long did it take for your parathyroid FATIGUE to completely go away?"

Now, I'm not talking about being sleepy from anesthesia or the surgery itself... I'm talking that deep, foggy, life-halting fatigue that saps all of your energy and ruins your life. I am desperate for other people's personal experiences. I don't want to jump-the-gun too soon and think I am not cured, but this fatigue is ridiculous. How long did it take some of you to feel like YOU again? How long until you started to wake up with ZERO fatigue, and felt normal again?

This fatigue lingers ALL day. It feels like a cancer. It's ridiculous. I know it can take weeks/months to fully recover, but again, I am desperate for other personal experiences to lift my spirits. I want to get back to my normal life again.

Thanks to all,

Anthony

1 like, 3 replies