Goiter Support Group
A goitre (or goiter), also called a bronchocele, is a swelling in the neck (just below adam's apple or larynx) due to an enlarged thyroid gland. They are classified in different ways: A "diffuse goitre" is a goitre that has spread through all of the thyroid, a "Toxic goitre" refers to goitre deriving from inflammation, neoplasm, or malfunction of the thyroid, while...
I'm glad scarves are back in style! And if winter in Minnesota has an upside, it's cowl neck sweaters.
Either the swelling in my neck is getting more pronounced, or I'm just paying closer attention, but this goiter is really starting to bug me....
Either the swelling in my neck is getting more pronounced, or I'm just paying closer attention, but this goiter is really starting to bug me....
hahaaa, i totally agree! and my scarves are getting bigger & more oversized as i purchase! at my last endocrinologist visit, my doctor remarked when she saw my turtleneck sweater just before she palpated my neck, "it never fails. my goiter patients always wear a high-neck top to the office, even if it's subconscious."
i've been wearing scarves at every opportunity for the last few months. i like to accessorize, so it's not an inconvenience. but it'd be really nice to kick my thyroid problem, diminish the goiter & wear a strappy sundress come next spring ;)
I am so sorry that both of you are going through this. I know how you feel! My goiter is huge and I am very self conscious about it! I live in Canada so scarves are ALWAYS in fashion - for which I am grateful! I was wondering if you have noticed any changes in your voice or swallowing ability due to your goiter? I am a singer and have noticed some rather troubling changes in both my voice and my ability to eat/swallow.
Thanks,
V
My voice is sounding a little more hoarse -especially when I've been talking all day (which I do, for my job). The high notes are a little squeakier and almost more nasal in tone.
I can't shout or talk very loudly, as when I'm in a crowded bar or over music, as that irritates my throat and I'll cough. So I'm the quiet one in the group now, probably to the delight of my friends. Do you experience that when you're singing? Or is it just the sound of your voice that you notice has changed?
I have some difficulty swallowing, meat mostly, and have to be very careful to chew small pieces thoroughly. Sometimes liquids can go down the wrong way too.
I'm going in for another ultrasound in March to check if my nodules have grown, but I can tell they have, just by vocal and swallowing changes over the past 6 months since my last U/S.
I am so sorry to hear of your struggles. Yes, I have noticed quite a change in my voice when singing. I have a hard time holding notes because the vibration makes my throat hurt quite badly. I also have trouble with coughing and a "scratchiness" (if you know what I mean) in my throat that really wont go away. It is quite a pain actually. I have yet to find anything that really helps to sooth and the "scratchiness" is there at night too which makes it hard to sleep. Oi! It's sort of driving me crazy to be honest. I havent noticed much of a change with my talking voice so far but I am sure that I probably will :(. I had my RAI treatment on the 10th and since then I have been experiencing quite a bit of pain in my goiter which is a little worrisome. I think I will request to have a biopsy ASAP.
Anyways, sorry, I am rambling. I hope you are well and are enjoying your scarves :). Thank you so much for your feedback - it is so nice to know that I am not the only one experiencing this.
(Hugs)
V