Freaking myself out - thyroid nodules and weird chest sensations
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Anonymous
| I had a couple of nodules found last summer via ultrasound. At the time the radiologist wasn't concerned (biggest nodule was 1 cm). My GP mentioned seeing an endocrinologist but I somehow don't recall her saying this. Fast forward to now and GP pushed that I need to see an endo and she wants to do a biopsy to rule out cancer. I am scared because the past few weeks I have been having odd chest sensations that are in my upper chest and go into my throat. It feels tight, and bubbly kind of, and like things are floating in there and makes me very aware of my throat/upper chest. My GP did a lung function test and said I have mild asthma but I have never had asthma before (am 36). I can't figure out triggers and am freaking myself out that I have thyroid cancer that went to my lungs... or is it GERD? I thought anxiety but even with a Xanax I still feel these sensations. I don't know what to do... |
Anonymous
| Call your GP tomorrow and find out how quickly you need to be seen by an endo. It can take awhile to get an appt, but if your GP thinks this is serious they can get you in faster. Did your GP do any thyroid labs? Find out what they showed, i.e. hypo or hyperthyroid or normal thyroid function. About the asthma - do you have allergies? There is something called allergic asthma. |
Anonymous
|
If the radiologist was not concerned, that is good news.
Not sure what cancer your GP wants to rule out, but if you had thyroid cancer to the point of having symptoms would there not have been a whole host of other symptoms? And tests she would have run, like thyroid function? I think you are definitely freaking yourself out. It is completely normal that you are doing this, and knowing that, you can take the next steps. To resolve it, you definitely need answers as soon as possible, so use your energies to place a phone call that expresses urgency on the matter regarding getting the soonest possible appointment. Explain that your doctor seemed concerned, and explain that you have sensations that are of concern (you need to emphasize these things to expedite that appointment) and use the term "schedule an appointment on an urgent basis". That will get a response. Try to be calm while speaking to the person and let what you are saying take care of the rest. Then the other part of this is to distract yourself from these sensations and your thoughts about them. Do some basic breathing/relaxation, watch TV, do laundry, whatever task allows your mind to zone out should help. As to what the sensations are, while it is unknown at the moment what the cause is, you are getting into "fight or flight" syndrome and filling in the blanks with ultra specific information that is speculation on your part. Totally understandable, this is what people do, but understand you are not working from facts at the moment. Keep is posted and good luck with getting your answers sooner than later. |
Anonymous
| PP again - OP, I just remembered this: a neighbor of mine had this same sensation you describe and was also very worried about her thyroid. I saw her a year later at the pool and she looked fine. I am not in touch with her and no longer have her # but I know when I saw her she looked healthy as ever. For what that is worth.... |
Anonymous
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The symptoms sound like anxiety to me -- I've had similar. Also, if your thyroid is wacked out it could be affecting your heart rate. Thyroid cancer doesn't metastasize. My SIL had it and it is a pain in the ass, but completely treatable.
People get asthma at any age. I have heard of plenty of women diagnosed in middle age. |
Anonymous
|
Follow the recommendations and get in to see someone.
For what it's worth, thyroid cancer is very slow growing and very treatable. |
Anonymous
| I had the same sensation OP when my thyroid was off. I had an ECG and nothing turned up. It was like I could feel my heart or something flopping around...and fluttering. It lasted about 10 days then went away. |
Anonymous
| Thank you all so much! I think I am freaking myself out too and making my symptoms worse. I will try to get in for an appt quickly... |
Anonymous
Thyroid patient with many nodules (very common with Hashimotos). I had fluttering heart and was scared out of my mind. Went to Cardiologist, had EKG and stress test. All was fine. Doc said its common. |
Anonymous
Thanks again for all the helpful responses. I had an EKG done when the weird sensations in my chest first happened and it was normal (which was reassuring). I need to figure out what's going on. Last night I woke up drenched in sweat like someone poured water on me. I didn't think it was that hot so I amfreaking myself out (again). 
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Anonymous
| Op, see an endo soon and get your thyroid tested. You could be getting hyperthyroidism which can make you hot, and anxious. |
Anonymous
I know you mean well, PP, and I agree that she's probably just fine and it's not cancer causing these symptoms... but this statement is not entirely true and it's worth noting. Most people get papillary thyroid cancer and I imagine that's what your SIL dealt with BUT there are 3 other types of thyroid cancer that CAN metastasize. Mine was follicular and it could certainly spread if not treated and followed closely. OP, please do see an endo to get the full picture and hopefully this will all be nothing serious at all. |
Anonymous
|
I had those same chest sensations (minus the throat tightness)...butterfly...weird, moving sensations...off and on...for almost a year...
had the heart monitor on for 24 hours upper endoscopy heart ultrasound ALL SHOWED ABSOLUTELY NOTHING It is STRESS... I only have them every once and a while...now... usually after too much caffeine and a lot of stress... try not to worry |
Anonymous
| Reviving this... So curious what happened to OP. I have had similar symptoms & also had full cardiac (ECG, chest X-ray, stress Echo) and CT scan. Everything was clear but CT showed thyroid nodule. My GP not concerned but have had symptoms for > 2wks with no relief. Wondering if it's stress/anxiety or now perhaps related to thyroid....? |
Anonymous
| Nodules are either nothing or cancer. But thyroid cancer isn't a big deal. They'll yank your thyroid, then you'll have treatment. I have two friends who had it. It's a pita but it's often called "not real cancer" (which obviously pisses off people who have to deal with it). |