Hyperparathyroidism- diagnosis, parathyroidectomy, post-op, questions and more!
TLDRChristina shares her personal journey with hyperparathyroidism and parathyroidectomy, highlighting the importance of awareness during Hyperparathyroidism Awareness Month. She discusses her symptoms, diagnosis, and the necessity of surgery, emphasizing the lack of widespread knowledge about the condition. Christina offers advice on choosing a surgeon, preparing for surgery, and post-op care, while urging viewers to advocate for themselves and seek timely medical intervention.
Takeaways
- π£ Christina shares her personal journey with hyperparathyroidism and parathyroidectomy, aiming to raise awareness and answer common questions.
- π· Hyperparathyroidism can have varied symptoms like bone pain, fatigue, digestive issues, and neuropsychiatric problems, affecting mainly women aged 50-60, though it can occur at any age.
- π¨ She emphasizes the importance of surgery for hyperparathyroidism, as advised by her endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic, noting that waiting is not a recommended option.
- π Christina recounts her misdiagnosis journey, highlighting the importance of thorough medical evaluation and advocating for oneself.
- π¨ββοΈ She advises on selecting a specialist for parathyroidectomy, recommending a surgeon who performs at least 50 such surgeries per year.
- π Discusses the importance of intraoperative monitoring during surgery to ensure complete removal of the problematic gland(s).
- ποΈ Offers post-operative care tips, like the necessity of a neck pillow, comfortable clothing, and managing calcium levels to avoid hypocalcemia.
- πͺ Shares her post-op experience, highlighting rapid recovery but advising patience and gradual return to normal activities.
- π§ Suggests a post-op survival kit, including ice packs, heating pads, soft foods, and pain management items.
- π Concludes with a positive note on the significant improvement in her health post-surgery and encourages others to advocate for their health.
Q & A
What is hyperparathyroidism and why is it significant?
-Hyperparathyroidism is a condition caused by one or more of the four parathyroid glands producing too much parathyroid hormone. This leads to high levels of calcium in the blood and can cause various symptoms such as bone pain, fatigue, neuropsychiatric issues, and digestive problems. It's significant because it can lead to severe health issues if left untreated, including heart, liver, kidney, and bone complications.
How does Christina know about hyperparathyroidism?
-Christina knows about hyperparathyroidism because she personally experienced it. She was diagnosed at the age of 24 and had surgery to remove the affected parathyroid gland at 25.
What are some common symptoms of hyperparathyroidism?
-Common symptoms of hyperparathyroidism include bone pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, digestive issues, and brain fog. However, some people may be asymptomatic and only discover the condition through routine blood tests.
Why is it important to treat hyperparathyroidism promptly?
-Prompt treatment of hyperparathyroidism is crucial because the high levels of calcium and parathyroid hormone in the body can negatively impact the heart, liver, kidneys, and bones, leading to conditions like osteoporosis. The sooner the affected parathyroid gland is removed, the better to prevent these complications.
What was Christina's personal experience with hyperparathyroidism?
-Christina initially experienced digestive issues such as abdominal pain, nausea, and indigestion with every meal, leading to significant weight loss. She saw multiple doctors and was misdiagnosed several times before her high calcium levels were discovered through routine blood work, leading to her correct diagnosis and subsequent surgery.
How did Christina choose her surgeon for parathyroidectomy?
-Christina chose her surgeon based on the recommendation that one should find a specialist who performs a minimum of 50 parathyroidectomies per year. Although she ended up with a general surgeon, this surgeon performed 65 or more parathyroidectomies annually and had experience with similar cases.
What are some essentials for a post-op survival kit after parathyroidectomy?
-Christina recommends having a family member or friend for support, a neck pillow for comfort, loose-fitting clothing, slip-on shoes, ice chips or frozen Gatorade for hydration, an ice pack and heating pad for pain management, and over-the-counter medications like Tums for calcium management if needed.
What were Christina's post-operative symptoms and experiences?
-Christina experienced some pain, felt like she was hit by a bus, had difficulty sleeping due to swelling, and had a calcium crash which caused tingling sensations from her fingers to her face. She managed these symptoms with pain medication, staying hydrated, and seeking medical attention for the calcium crash.
How did Christina take care of her scar after surgery?
-After the bandage was removed two weeks post-op, Christina applied vitamin E oil to her scar to reduce scar tissue and used a mineral-based sunscreen to prevent sunburn, which can exacerbate scar visibility.
What advice does Christina have for those dealing with hyperparathyroidism?
-Christina advises individuals to advocate for themselves, seek a second opinion if a doctor suggests a 'wait and see' approach, and be open with their doctors about their concerns. She also encourages raising awareness about the condition to help others who may be experiencing similar symptoms.
How can people reach out to Christina for more information or questions?
-People can reach out to Christina through social media platforms or by commenting on her video to ask additional questions or seek further advice regarding hyperparathyroidism.
Outlines
π£ Introduction to Hyperparathyroidism Awareness
Christina introduces herself and expresses her desire to share her experience with hyperparathyroidism and parathyroidectomy. She highlights the importance of July as Hyperparathyroidism Awareness Month and her motivation to create a video to address common questions and concerns. She shares her personal journey, having undergone surgery two months prior, and her intent to provide comfort and relatability to others going through similar experiences. Christina clarifies that she is a speech-language pathologist, not a medical professional, and her information is based on her personal experience and research.
π€ Symptoms and Misdiagnosis
Christina discusses the symptoms of hyperparathyroidism, which can range from bone pain and fatigue to neuropsychiatric issues and digestive problems. She shares her own experience with severe digestive issues leading to significant weight loss and multiple misdiagnoses. Despite the common belief that doctors may advise a 'wait and see' approach, Christina emphasizes the importance of seeking surgery as the only cure for hyperparathyroidism due to its potential to cause serious health complications.
π₯ Choosing a Surgeon and Preparing for Surgery
Christina provides advice on selecting a surgeon for parathyroidectomy, recommending finding a specialist who performs a minimum of 50 parathyroidectomies per year. She shares her own experience with a general surgeon who was highly experienced in the procedure. She also discusses the importance of intraoperative monitoring to ensure all affected glands are identified and removed. Christina then outlines her personal preparations for surgery, including the support of family and friends, and offers practical tips for post-surgery care.
π½οΈ Post-Op Recovery and Expectations
In this section, Christina shares her post-operative experience, including the immediate pain, the necessity of soft foods, and the importance of staying hydrated. She advises on the need for rest, the fluctuation of energy levels, and the common occurrence of feeling up and down during recovery. Christina also discusses her own recovery process, including her return to work and the management of her scar with vitamin E oil and sunscreen.
πͺ Raising Awareness and Final Thoughts
Christina concludes by encouraging viewers to raise awareness about hyperparathyroidism, viewing their scars as symbols of their journey and perseverance. She emphasizes the importance of advocating for oneself and seeking timely medical intervention. Christina offers her willingness to answer further questions and provide support, reiterating the abnormality of high calcium or PTH levels and the necessity of self-advocacy in healthcare.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Hyperparathyroidism
π‘Parathyroidectomy
π‘Awareness Month
π‘Speech-Language Pathologist
π‘Sestamibi Scan
π‘Post-Op Care
π‘Calcium Crash
π‘Advocacy
π‘Endocrinologist
π‘Quality of Life
Highlights
Christina shares her personal journey with hyperparathyroidism and parathyroidectomy during Hyperparathyroidism Awareness Month.
Hyperparathyroidism is caused by one or more parathyroid glands going awry, leading to an adenoma or tumor that disrupts bodily functions.
Symptoms of hyperparathyroidism include bone pain, fatigue, neuropsychiatric issues, digestive issues, and brain fog, affecting mainly women aged 50-60.
Christina was diagnosed at 24 and had surgery at 25, emphasizing that hyperparathyroidism can affect anyone regardless of age.
There is limited awareness about hyperparathyroidism, and many doctors may adopt a 'wait and see' approach, which is not recommended.
Parathyroidectomy is the only option for treating hyperparathyroidism, and it should be done as soon as possible to prevent complications.
Christina's personal experience involved misdiagnoses and a slow decline in health due to digestive issues.
A high calcium level was discovered through routine blood work, leading to a proper diagnosis and referral to an endocrinologist.
Christina underwent a sestamibi scan at the Mayo Clinic, which localized the tumor and led to prompt surgery.
She emphasizes the importance of choosing a specialist surgeon who performs a high volume of parathyroidectomies annually.
Intraoperative monitoring during surgery is crucial to ensure all affected parathyroid glands are identified and removed.
Post-op survival tips include having a support system, using a neck pillow, wearing loose-fitting clothing, and staying hydrated with ice chips.
Expect some pain and discomfort after surgery, but many patients report feeling energized and experiencing symptom relief.
Christina advises on managing post-op pain with heating pads and peppermint oil, and taking pain medication as needed.
She experienced a calcium crash and advises keeping calcium supplements nearby and seeking medical advice if needed.
Christina encourages advocating for oneself and seeking second opinions if a doctor suggests a 'wait and see' approach.
She shares her recovery experience, including returning to work and managing muscle cramps and tingling post-surgery.
Christina's advice on scar care includes using vitamin E oil and mineral-based sunscreen to prevent sunburn and fading.
She concludes with a message of hope and encouragement for those dealing with hyperparathyroidism, urging them to raise awareness and advocate for their health.
Transcripts
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