Doggirlie I am so sorry to hear you are feeling bad. I guess I would VERY carefully research the surgeon you are using. ....there are just too many surgeons out there who do surgery for the money. I know that sounds harsh but I believe it to be true. This is a big surgery and unless someone is an expert you might not have the results you want. Glad the anti depressants are helping you. I could not take them as they made me feel terrible and very sleepy. Have you had your calcium and PTH checked? Are you anywhere near Tampa or U of M where they specialize in these surgeries?

Hey Beanbit, thanks for your reply. I live near Seattle and the surgeon Im going to go to does specialize in parathyroid surgeries. Surgery date is set for May 4th! wish me luck. The plan is for me to go home that day after anesthesia recovery and labs are done. My calcium has been around 10.3-10.5 but for an adult over 30 it should really never be over 10. My PTH the first time was 100, when I got it rechecked fro the surgery it was 125. I had a dexascan that showed mild osteopenia. The endocrinologist I spoke to said I didn't follow the regular pattern since the osteopenia is in my hips rather than my back or wrist. I really wish it was a full dexascan because I could almost guarantee that there is something up with my shoulders, neck and knees but I guess they don't scan that because it doesn't fit the pattern of most people. My parathyroid glands were not visualized on the semsi? scan. My CT scan did show a growth on the upper right gland. I am a little freaked out because the surgeon does not feel that in my case it is necessary to see all of the glands, He said that the incision would need to be a lot larger and that the surgery would take a lot longer. I'm trusting him. I will be severely irritated if it doesn't get fixed!! Anyway, still very excited, taking 2 weeks off for recovery. Im still wondering what recovery will feel like and if anyone knows I would appreciate the input.

I too would like to know what to expect after. I feel like a mess right now. I started having high bp and really low vitamin D last June which was found incidentally when I was being seen for bleeding issues associated with what turned out to be several gigantic fibroids in my uterus. I have NEVER had anything close to high bp, I was slightly below 120/80 during both pregancies, even after gaining almost 50 lbs with them, so that was startling. Then at my hysterectomy pre-op last September, my calcium was elevated and has stayed that way. Again, never, ever had anything but right smack in the middle of the range. My mom had a parathyroid adenoma (found when looking for cause of kidney stones) at about the same age (52), so as soon as the calcium went above normal I started pushing my gp about it, asking to have PTH tested, etc. Nope, no way, not necessary. So I had it done elsewhere and yup, slightly high. He said his endo friend said it wasn't high enough to be concerned. The gp said taking me off of a thiazide drug would fix it (IF it was just due to that, sure), so we waited three months. Calcium still high, but wouldn't retest. My last visit with him was three weeks ago where I told him if he wouldn't retest calcium, PTH I would go elsewhere. Both were still high, with PTH going up more. He THEN said it was due to the vitamin D I was taking, and was sure it was the cause and to stop. I said if he was so sure, then retest the D. No, no reason, so again I told him to test or I would have it done elsewhere. Nope, not elevated, just barely in the normal range. He then decided to refer me to the endocrinologist who I saw last week. The first thing he did after looking at my labs was ask why I hadn't had imaging done yet, and why I wasn't referred sooner. UGH!!! Did a 24 hour urine over the weekend, results were calcium just barely below high, creatinine just barely over low. Having nuclear imaging done tomorrow. I have no doubt I will be surgical very soon (thank goodness).

Anyway, right now in addition to being on four meds for bp, I have positive RA factor but am unmedicated as it is usually controlled with minor OTCs, but the last few weeks it has been nasty. Migraine auras without headache since February, nasty plaque build up on some teeth (never before been a problem), lethargy, no desire or motivation to do anything, feel like my reserves for any stress are gone, and my memory is crap. Tell me something and two minutes later I can't remember. I honestly felt better after my hysterectomy.

Neither Mom nor I remember how she felt after, other than her general aches and pains were gone. I'm really concerned because I keep seeing people commenting about weight gain. I've lost 20 lbs since June without really trying (have always had weight problems) so this worries me greatly. I've also seen many folks that seem to struggle with depression as well. TIA for any feedback and personal experiences!