View Full Version : Thyroid nodules - terrified, PLEASE read
Serotoninsteph
22-06-18, 06:05
Hello everyone,
This is my first time posting. I've taken solace in this forum from afar for quite some time, and now it's time to take the plunge and create my own post since I am in a downward spiral.
This will be a little bit long, and I apologize for that, but I have a lot to say. I hope that some of you will make it to the end and offer some insight. Please read it all if you can stand it.
My name is Stephanie, I'm 38, a wife and mother, writer and photographer living in beautiful North Vancouver, Canada. I've struggled with OCD, depression, PTSD, anxiety and HA since I was young, about ten years of age was when these struggles began making themselves known. The HA was triggered, I believe, by my two uncles and one aunt dying of a rare and degenerative disease when I was in my pre-teen and teen years. Leading up to their deaths, I watched them become different people, unrecognizable - losing eyes, hair, the ability to speak, and more. They were some of my favourite people and I watched these vibrant, intelligent, loving family members get sick, become utterly incapacitated, and slip away.
My main phobia is and always has been cancer. I've had lots of therapy and been on pretty much any drug you can name. I was seen as a kid by an evil psychiatrist who treated me as a guinea pig, and when I questioned him and told my parents and his staff that he was an evil man, he called me delusional and had me thrown in a mental institution, where I was abused. Turns out this psychiatrist was actually molesting his male patients and he lost his license. Anyway.....
I have had bouts of severe depression and anxiety on and off throughout the years, and only recently have had the courage to re-enter therapy (took a lot of soul searching and letting go of trust issues, but I recently began seeing a therapist who specializes in HA - this is VERY new, and I need to give it time, but I am already developing trust in her), and just tonight I downloaded the CBT HA module course that is so highly recommended here. I am currently not taking medication.
The past three months have been all-out war in my head. I have never experienced such intense health anxiety, which was triggered when I found a small lump inside my cheek that occurred shortly after having viral bronchitis. I had two dentists (I sought a second opinion) tell me it was nothing, and both refused to give me a biopsy. I have had VelScope (light that screens for oral cancers and spots abnormal cells/tissue in the oral cavity) twice with normal results. I still don't trust it without a biopsy. I have also had a persistent white tongue, sore throat, cough, small lumps in neck, and metallic/salty taste in my mouth for about six weeks now.
In March I had viral bronchitis, and then it went away, and I felt fine. Then I had the cheek lump discovery and my health anxiety spun out of control, and I caught a cod that has been impossible to shake, and last week the bronchitis symptoms seemed to return. I guess they were there all along, as I haven't been well in nearly two months, but it seemed to get worse again. The worsening cough, the phlegm, etc. Cough is still there, though not as bad, throat is not as sore, and phlegm has reduced but the cough is still present as is the hoarseness and throat clearing. I have been in several ER's, no less than ten times in the past few months, not to mention countless appointments with my GP, walk-in doctors, my naturopathic doctor, and an ENT. All of them said "you're fine, just give it time," etc. I've had two clear chest X-rays, a clear chest CT, and a clear neck x-ray. My bloods have been normal aside from a slightly high CRP a month ago and an elevated lactate, both of which have since been re-tested and gone back to normal. Normal WBC last time it was tested a few weeks ago, as well as RBC and platelets, lymphs, Leuks, everything normal. Yet I keep getting sore throats, coughing up yellow phlegm on and off, etc, and the hoarseness and cough has been consistent for six weeks. Lymph nodes in neck are slightly swollen. I should add that about a month ago I quit smoking pot due to this heath scare (I was smoking every day), and that my diet was high in sugar and salt and junk food for years (I was using food to self-medicate and to escape) until I changed that at the same time and decided to eat healthy and try to take better care of my body. I fear that it's too late for that now though. Also, I do not smoke cigs, very rarely drink, and am a little overweight but not obese.
Anyway, this persistent cough and sore throat, that has lasted six weeks, as well as hoarseness, constant throat clearing, congestion and alternating blocked ears, combined with my other symptoms, has had me going in circles seeking appointment after appointment and opinion after opinion, feeling like I'm going crazy. Last week, I conducted some more research (I do that a lot, I know I shouldn't), I had an a-ha moment. Something that my GP, dentist, and ENT couldn't see and hadn't tested was my thyroid. I became convinced that it was thyroid cancer, based on my symptoms, and proceeded to demand an ultrasound. The doctor reluctantly complied, after trying to brush me off as just anxious. I insisted. The results came back today and lo and behold, I have "multiple nodules" on both sides of my thyroid.
The report is very vague except to say that the nodules are tiny and scattered, hypoechoic and all are less than 7 mm (which means less than 1 cm). I've read conflicting information about this. Some sites say that multiple nodules mean less chance of cancer, whereas others say it means more. Some say that the size is reassuring whereas others say size has nothing to do with it. The lack of detail in the report scares me so much - it tells me almost nothing. One thing it does say is that "none of the nodules have a sonographically suspicious appearance", but to me that is contradictory because they are hypoechoic and solid - how can that not be suspicious? It also does not list the characteristics that imply lack of suspicion - so I have no idea WHY they say they are not suspicious, nor do I know HOW MANY there are, only that there are multiple nodules. Additionally, it states the clinical follow up would be appropriate. Side note: can you tell I'm a journalist? I NEED information. I NEED answers. And the need for research is absolutely INGRAINED in me, which makes me very good at my job, but doesn't do me any favours in the HA department.
The doctor who delivered the results to me said I needed to get a thyroid blood test done, which I have done, and then he said when we have the results he will then refer me to an endocrinologist. I know I'm not supposed to seek reassurance and I am well aware that nobody here can diagnose me, but I have honestly never been so scared in my life. This time it might actually be something bad, and I'm terrified to leave my six year old daughter, who is very attached to me, without a mother. I'm also scared that I will have to halt my CBT and focus all my attention on cancer treatment. The very thought makes me sick.
Please, has anyone ever experienced thyroid nodules - and maybe even my other symptoms - that turned out to be nothing? I feel so helpless and hopeless right now. All I want to do is sleep. The fact that what I've feared almost my whole life (cancer) might be a reality is too much for me to bear right now. I'm worried that my mouth symptoms are also cancer that has somehow spread to the thyroid or vice versa, and that these mouth symptoms (dry mouth, slightly slurred S's in my speech, white tongue, strange taste, lump in cheek and skin tag on upper frenulum) are being ignored, thus making my prognosis worse.
I know that I have no control and all I can do is wait (the TORTURE of waiting - can I get a witness?!), but this is the only place I could think of to turn in the meantime. I pray that someone gets all the way through this insane, rambling, all-over-the-place post and can reach out to me.
Thank you for listening. I'm so happy to finally be an actual part of the forum. I've wanted to post for a long time, but didn't have the guts.
Hi Stephanie
Welcome. What a time of it you have had - I’m so sorry. I have read your post carefully and I wish I had time to reply fully now, but it’s morning and my children are starting to wake up. I also have a long history with health anxiety and chasing test after test. I don’t have any experience with thyroid nodules- sorry - but I do have some lung nodules found because I paid for an “unnecessary” ct scan. They caused me to utterly freak out. And I have also had breast lumps found - and biopsied - because of “unnecessary” breast MRI’s.
My point is one you will already know: if you search hard enough you will find things, most of which never needed to be found. Wish I could say more.... shouting children! But hang in there
Serotoninsteph
22-06-18, 06:55
Thank you so much for your reply! You're right about the "if you search hard enough for something, you'll find it" point. Man, ain't that the truth! Thank you for taking the time to reply. I've had unnecessary breast biopsies and ct scans, too! I'm fortunate that there is no cost for these tests in Canada- I can't imagine going through the stress of having this anxiety and feeling you need these tests and adding financial strain from the cost!
Thank you so much for your reply! You're right about the "if you search hard enough for something, you'll find it" point. Man, ain't that the truth! Thank you for taking the time to reply. I've had unnecessary breast biopsies and ct scans, too! I'm fortunate that there is no cost for these tests in Canada- I can't imagine going through the stress of having this anxiety and feeling you need these tests and adding financial strain from the cost!
I read your previous post, but it is easier to quote this one as it is shorter.
Anyway, one thing is clear - your ultrasound did find these nodules, but "none of these have suspicious appearance" - meaning the finding points away from cancer and other scary stuff. Thyroid gland issues are something that should not be neglected, but also something that is extremely common and these days very easily treated.
I also understand the need to research and investigate, but, as a journalist, you surely know what an unreliable source is - and google is the most unreliable source you will find. Instead of google, try using real sources of information - your doctors. I suggest making a list of questions about your thyroid issue and asking them on your next appointment. As for the google - just quit it, like you did with pot smoking. If the urge to research is too strong, you can always block medical sites and that I also strongly recommend.
In the meantime, I suggest treating health anxiety. To treat it is a win - win situation for you. If your issues are benign (and of that I am 100% certain), you will stop worrying over nothing. If something serious occurs (now or in the future) - it will be a lot easier to battle it without anxiety than with it.
I had 3 thyroid nodules detected on an MRI for something completely different in April. The nodules were much larger than yours-the largest being 3cm. I saw an endocrinologist straightaway and he told me that having multiple nodules was a good sign-the single nodule being more suspicious. I had 2 lots of ultrasound done and the radiologist said I needed 3 fine needle aspirations done of them because they didn't look like harmless cysts.. The results came back and all were benign nodules. it was thought that the largest nodule was a parathyroid adenoma but it turned out to be a thyroid nodule. I go back in October to be re-scanned.
---------- Post added at 08:34 ---------- Previous post was at 08:28 ----------
My thyroid blood test was normal. Your endocrinologist will look at the ultrasound and decide whether you need biopsies (fine needle aspirations) but my guess is he will say they are benign from the hypoechoic definition and the fact that they are so small.
Nodules can cause hyperthyroidism so it would be best to get that blood test.
If I can help further just let me know. You just need an endocrinologist to take a look at the ultrasound and advise you further.
Going through something similar with my wife at the moment. She suffered a devastating illness nearly two years ago but all things considered, is doing Ok. We went for our physicals a few months ago and her blood work showed TSH levels out of whack, enough so that the doctor had her re-take the tests. They were still low so she was referred to an endocrinologist as she suspected hyperthyroidism. We went Tuesday. The doctor was very thorough and detailed. When she explained the numbers I was surprised at them. They weren't as low as the GP made them sound and based on them, my wife would have had symptoms yet she's the total opposite of "hyper" since her illness :shrug:
Anyway... The bottom line is it could be a mild case of Graves disease. So, a few more tests and the possibility of low dose meds to prevent issues in the future. Nothing life threatening and very easily treated :yesyes:
I know you're going to say "but the nodules"..., Yeah so? Millions of people have them and you're doing the HA thing by latching onto the worst case scenario. You insisted on the testing and they found some benign nodules.. :shrug: The report said "none of the nodules have a sonographically suspicious appearance". That's where it should end but HA + Dr. Google is a bad combination.
IMO, worst case, based on what you've posted is a minor thyroid issue which meds will correct :winks:
Positive thoughts
Serotoninsteph
22-06-18, 15:23
I read your previous post, but it is easier to quote this one as it is shorter.
Hi Andrash,
Thanks so much for your reply. It made me feel better. The thing is that I know that just because it says they don't appear suspicious doesn't mean they're not, and my understanding is that ultrasounds aren't the most reliable. It's scary because I have the other symptoms - long standing cough and sore throat, pain up the sides of throat, throat clearing, that are all TC symptoms so when combined with all these nodules it is frightening. I don't understand why the radiologist didn't offer more information. Seems lazy to just say multiple nodules without describing them more and not giving a number- like this could be five, ten, twenty for all I know! I wish they would explain what about them isn't suspicious. I've read that hypoechoic solid nodules are pretty indicative of cancer. I know I need to stop doing this. As for sources, actually these days Google can lead to reliable sources indeed, but there are lots of unreliable ones as well. I use official cancer sites and nhis which I think are a little more on the reliable side, but regardless, I need to somehow train myself to get off Google. Thank you very much for your insight and support. I really appreciate it.
---------- Post added at 07:11 ---------- Previous post was at 07:04 ----------
[QUOTE=pulisa;1801763]I
[/COLOR]My thyroid blood test was normal. Your endocrinologist will look at the ultrasound and decide whether you need biopsies (fine needle aspirations) but my guess is he will say they are benign from the hypoechoic definition and the fact that they are so small.
Nodules can cause hyperthyroidism so it would be best to get that blood test.
If I can help further just let me know. You just need an endocrinologist to take a look at the ultrasound and advise you further.
Thank you so much! I got the blood test done right away so am waiting for the results. I don't even know what the endocrinologist would be able to gather from this somewhat useless and limited US report but I guess he will be granted access to the images and further information? My doc sent me to get the blood test but he ticked off "suspected hypothyroidism"- is that the same test? Will a test for hypothyroidism also point to hyperthyroidism if it's there, or would I need a different test? One more thing- part of what you said made you think the doc would think they are benign is that they are hypoechoic. Doesn't hypoechoic mean it isn't good? I thought that had a more negative connotation associated with it. Am I wrong? Thank you again for your support. I am so thankful that this forum exists!
---------- Post added at 07:23 ---------- Previous post was at 07:11 ----------
[QUOTE=Fishmanpa;:
I know you're going to say "but the nodules"..., Yeah so? Millions of people have them and you're doing the HA thing by latching onto the worst case scenario. You insisted on the testing and they found some benign nodules.. :shrug: The report said "none of the nodules have a sonographically suspicious appearance". That's where it should end but HA + Dr. Google is a bad combination.
IMO, worst case, based on what you've posted is a minor thyroid issue which meds will correct
Fishmanpa,
Ahhhhhh I was hoping you would reply. This might sound ridiculous, but I'm a little star struck. You're a celeb on here! You're right, Dr. Google and HA is s totally toxic cocktail. I need to stop that, I know.
Though the nodules haven't been defined as benign, and what scares me is their presence in combination with all the other TC symtpoms such as persistent sore throat and cough, hoarseness, etc. that I can't seem to shake. For six weeks I've woken up and said "this is the day I will feel normal again, it will go away today" and every night I tell myself "tomorrow will be the day I will wake up and this will finally be gone" but it never seems to end. I'm beginning to wonder if I will ever feel normal physically again. It's scary. And then with the discovery of these nodules, which is something concrete in a test result, yeah, my brain is spiraling.
I downloaded the CBT self help course you always link to, and I'm hopeful that it will help. I started module one last night. I can't thank you enough for your reply, I know you've been through a lot and I'm grateful that you share your experiences and offer support to those in need on this forum. Thank you a million times.
Steph, multiple nodules means more than 1. I have a multinodular goitre (3 nodules). The sonographer gave me no reassurance whatsoever when scanning me-he told me I needed an urgent referral to either ENT or an endocrinologist. Sonographers are pretty spot on when detecting anything suspicious-the report sounds pretty reassuring to me. Mine read nothing like that.
The size of your nodules is significant. It's doubtful whether they are large enough to be biopsied anyway. There would almost certainly be reference on the ultrasound to lymph node involvement in the neck area with a malignancy.
The only way to test for thyroid cancer would be fine needle aspiration. Based on the ultrasound report an endocrinologist would make the decision whether to biopsy or to leave well alone.
A full thyroid blood test profile would indicate hypo or hyperthyroidism.
Please don't Google
Serotoninsteph
22-06-18, 20:11
Steph, multiple nodules means more than 1. I have a multinodular goitre (3 nodules). The sonographer gave me no reassurance whatsoever when scanning me-he told me I needed an urgent referral to either ENT or an endocrinologist. Sonographers are pretty spot on when detecting anything suspicious-the report sounds pretty reassuring to me. Mine read nothing like that.
The size of your nodules is significant. It's doubtful whether they are large enough to be biopsied anyway. There would almost certainly be reference on the ultrasound to lymph node involvement in the neck area with a malignancy.
The only way to test for thyroid cancer would be fine needle aspiration. Based on the ultrasound report an endocrinologist would make the decision whether to biopsy or to leave well alone.
A full thyroid blood test profile would indicate hypo or hyperthyroidism.
Please don't Google
Thank you SO much!!!!!
I have nodules, just discovered back in January on ultrasound. My ENT isn't concerned at all. I had a follow up ultrasound Monday and one shrunk and the other is exactly the same. Mine are also 7 mm
Get a referral to a decent endocrinologist who will easily be able to make an assessment of your ultrasound. He/she may also order more specific thyroid-related blood tests as the standard one just measures TSH. I have symptoms of hyperthyroidism but my bloods don't show this. Nodules can cause hyperthyroidism and I think the free T3 blood test is the one for this.
I have to say that my endocrinologist did say that TC was a cancer which had a very high survival rate so if I did have it,it was one of the "better" ones to have. So I was prepared to get bad news..but I didn't despite the urgency of my referral. I was referred for ultrasound on the afternoon my nodules were discovered and saw the consultant on the following Monday as advised by the sonographer.
Hi Steph,
I am not supposed to seek reassurance either, but sometimes I just have to. I think of it like a diet. If I don't cheat every once in a while, I'm not going to be able to stay on the diet.
My husband has Stage 4 Lung Cancer. A 1.1 cm thyroid nodule showed up on one of his regular CT exams. His oncologist completely dismissed it, saying it was irrelevant and nothing to worry about. It may be that the CT scan showed details about this nodule that enabled a quick diagnosis. I am not sure. Nevertheless, that is a pretty big nodule and it is benign.
You are going to be just fine. I'm amazed at how differently I react to things when my health anxiety is under control. You doing excellent things to take care of both your mental and physical health. You've got this :bighug1:
[QUOTE=Andrash;1801757]I read your previous post, but it is easier to quote this one as it is shorter.
Hi Andrash,
Thanks so much for your reply. It made me feel better. The thing is that I know that just because it says they don't appear suspicious doesn't mean they're not, and my understanding is that ultrasounds aren't the most reliable. It's scary because I have the other symptoms - long standing cough and sore throat, pain up the sides of throat, throat clearing, that are all TC symptoms so when combined with all these nodules it is frightening. I don't understand why the radiologist didn't offer more information. Seems lazy to just say multiple nodules without describing them more and not giving a number- like this could be five, ten, twenty for all I know! I wish they would explain what about them isn't suspicious. I've read that hypoechoic solid nodules are pretty indicative of cancer. I know I need to stop doing this. As for sources, actually these days Google can lead to reliable sources indeed, but there are lots of unreliable ones as well. I use official cancer sites and nhis which I think are a little more on the reliable side, but regardless, I need to somehow train myself to get off Google. Thank you very much for your insight and support. I really appreciate it.[COLOR="blue"]
I put (what I think are) important stuff in bold and I will respond, by order of appearance.
1. I apologize in advance if I will insult you, but I have to be blunt here - this is typical health anxiety thinking. If you go to your office and see a briefcase in the hallway, what would your first thought be? Would it be "Oh, someone forgot a briefcase" or "Hmmm, just because this looks like an ordinary briefcase doesn't mean it is not a time - bomb planted by ISIS"? Your GP thinks it is not cancerous, ultrasound says the nodules are not suspicious, you'll also go to the specialist for the final diagnosis - and I am honestly willing to bet my house these will be confirmed benign. However, you have to stop concentrating on the worst and break the anxiety cycle - it is not just mental anguish anxiety is causing, it can also break your immune system and mimic symptoms of the disease you fear. I am not saying that is going on here (your doctor will diagnose you, not us here), but it is definitely a possibility.
2. They might be TC symptoms, but they might also be symptoms of hundred other not at all scary things. Benign things are common, cancers are rare. If cancer was as common as HA sufferers (including me) thought it was, entire human population would have been wiped out long ago. Moreover, you said yourself - in the past three months, apart from severe anxiety, you also had a viral bronchitis twice - that may well be the reason for your sore throat/coughing episodes (especially coughing - after I had had pneumonia I had sporadic coughing fits for almost 6 months, for example).
3. This is where Dr Google leads you up the garden path and fuels your anxiety. To their trained eyes (and it takes 10 years of training to become medical professional) they are not suspicious. They do not have an appearance that cancer has - that is why they are not suspicious. The Google says "they are indicative of cancer". OK, they might be, but that doesn't mean they ARE cancer. The briefcase thing again - a lonely briefcase left in the train compartment is indicative of a terrorist attack because terrorists obviously have to put the bomb somewhere and briefcase fits their purpose. However, in 999 cases out of 1000, it is just a briefcase that someone forgot. :)
4. I didn't mean Google is unreliable for everything, just for medical purposes and especially for self - diagnosing. Self diagnosing is always unreliable and self diagnosing with google leads to health anxiety. Why? Because all that Google provides is the list of possible diseases based on your symptoms. So, if your throat is sore for a month, you will naturally concentrate on cancer (as it is life threatening) and not on, I don't know, strep infection (as it is benign). However, medical professionals do not base their diagnosis just by symptoms - they look at your medical history, overall health and they also do tests (bloods, scans, mris, ultrasounds whatever). I mean, that is why they are professionals and that is why we pay them. Only with all these tools at their disposal can the diagnosis be correct - certainly not just by matching symptoms with possible diseases because when we do that, we all think we have cancer or worse.
5. Again I have to be blunt - typical HA thinking. You use "official cancer sites". For God sake why? You are neither a cancer patient nor a survivor nor diagnosed with cancer. However, I sadly know the answer (as I went through the same cycle - you can look at my first thread if you want. Actually please do, since our stories have some similarities.) - your anxiety and Internet "sources" have convinced you that it is cancer and you are operating from that assumption instead of doing what anxiety-free people do when confronted with symptoms: trust medical professionals, RULE OUT scary things and concentrate on treating (in 99.9% of cases) mild/benign conditions they have.
And of course, you are very welcome - next time it will be you helping me :) And please accept my apologies if there was rudeness - I just wanted to make sure that the message had got across.
A lot of people with HA do a lot of "reading" on the internet when they really should be listening to their OWN doctor/consultant who is dealing with their OWN medical issue. Waiting for test results is nerve racking but so is googling symptoms and reading stuff which has nothing to do with their OWN body but everything to do with feeding their HA and creating intense fear when a condition has yet to be diagnosed.
I also have thyroid nodules. Dr says they're nothing to worry about.
Serotoninsteph
23-06-18, 23:18
Hi all. Thank you so much for your support in this, I feel so comforted knowing I have a place to turn to. Just got my blood test results, and my TSH levels are normal. The doctor said I now need a neck CT, and has marked it as urgent on the requisition. When asked, he said it is because I'm worried but I don't think a doctor would request an urgent CT based on patient worry. I can't help but feel he is concerned and doesn't want to say so. So now I wait for a CT appointment, and next week I will see my ent (I've been seeing her since the throat issues and have had two normal scopes) to have her review the US results. Doc also put in a referral to an endocrinologist. All of this is very overwhelming and I can't shake the fear based on everything I foolishly read about hypoechoic, solid nodules. Combined with my symptoms, and the fact that they are solid and hypoechoic I can't help but think, what else could they be other than the big C. I'm trying my best to hold on to the fact that the US report said "not sonographically suspicious" but the fact that I need an urgent CT scan sort of says to me that the US report holds little weight. If they are so small and don't look suspicious why do I need all that radiation on my neck? I just don't understand why I would need that if there wasn't major concern. I'm really scared. I'm not googling any more, but I just feel so overwhelmed. My husband is sick of me, and I don't feel like I have much support right now. So I wanted to post this. I know I am a broken record. Thank you for giving me a safe space to vent.
---------- Post added at 14:50 ---------- Previous post was at 14:47 ----------
I also have thyroid nodules. Dr says they're nothing to worry about.
Hi, thank you for your reply. Do you know the size of yours and if they are solid/hypoechoic? What details were you given about yours? I have other symptoms as well, I don't know if you managed to get all the way through my first post but they're all listed. My doc says I now need a CT scan and I'm pretty terrified.
---------- Post added at 14:52 ---------- Previous post was at 14:50 ----------
[QUOTE=Serotoninsteph;1801819]
I didn't take any of your post as rude or insulting - it was educational and to the point, and you are right about everything. Thank you. I got my blood test results and saw my doctor today. I posted a new reply on the thread with the details. Will continue to update! Thank you for your support.
I put (what I think are) important stuff in bold and I will respond, by order of appearance.
1. I apologize in advance if I will insult you, but I have to be blunt here - this is typical health anxiety thinking. If you go to your office and see a briefcase in the hallway, what would your first thought be? Would it be "Oh, someone forgot a briefcase" or "Hmmm, just because this looks like an ordinary briefcase doesn't mean it is not a time - bomb planted by ISIS"? Your GP thinks it is not cancerous, ultrasound says the nodules are not suspicious, you'll also go to the specialist for the final diagnosis - and I am honestly willing to bet my house these will be confirmed benign. However, you have to stop concentrating on the worst and break the anxiety cycle - it is not just mental anguish anxiety is causing, it can also break your immune system and mimic symptoms of the disease you fear. I am not saying that is going on here (your doctor will diagnose you, not us here), but it is definitely a possibility.
2. They might be TC symptoms, but they might also be symptoms of hundred other not at all scary things. Benign things are common, cancers are rare. If cancer was as common as HA sufferers (including me) thought it was, entire human population would have been wiped out long ago. Moreover, you said yourself - in the past three months, apart from severe anxiety, you also had a viral bronchitis twice - that may well be the reason for your sore throat/coughing episodes (especially coughing - after I had had pneumonia I had sporadic coughing fits for almost 6 months, for example).
3. This is where Dr Google leads you up the garden path and fuels your anxiety. To their trained eyes (and it takes 10 years of training to become medical professional) they are not suspicious. They do not have an appearance that cancer has - that is why they are not suspicious. The Google says "they are indicative of cancer". OK, they might be, but that doesn't mean they ARE cancer. The briefcase thing again - a lonely briefcase left in the train compartment is indicative of a terrorist attack because terrorists obviously have to put the bomb somewhere and briefcase fits their purpose. However, in 999 cases out of 1000, it is just a briefcase that someone forgot. :)
4. I didn't mean Google is unreliable for everything, just for medical purposes and especially for self - diagnosing. Self diagnosing is always unreliable and self diagnosing with google leads to health anxiety. Why? Because all that Google provides is the list of possible diseases based on your symptoms. So, if your throat is sore for a month, you will naturally concentrate on cancer (as it is life threatening) and not on, I don't know, strep infection (as it is benign). However, medical professionals do not base their diagnosis just by symptoms - they look at your medical history, overall health and they also do tests (bloods, scans, mris, ultrasounds whatever). I mean, that is why they are professionals and that is why we pay them. Only with all these tools at their disposal can the diagnosis be correct - certainly not just by matching symptoms with possible diseases because when we do that, we all think we have cancer or worse.
5. Again I have to be blunt - typical HA thinking. You use "official cancer sites". For God sake why? You are neither a cancer patient nor a survivor nor diagnosed with cancer. However, I sadly know the answer (as I went through the same cycle - you can look at my first thread if you want. Actually please do, since our stories have some similarities.) - your anxiety and Internet "sources" have convinced you that it is cancer and you are operating from that assumption instead of doing what anxiety-free people do when confronted with symptoms: trust medical professionals, RULE OUT scary things and concentrate on treating (in 99.9% of cases) mild/benign conditions they have.
And of course, you are very welcome - next time it will be you helping me :) And please accept my apologies if there was rudeness - I just wanted to make sure that the message had got across.
---------- Post added at 15:11 ---------- Previous post was at 14:52 ----------
I have nodules, just discovered back in January on ultrasound. My ENT isn't concerned at all. I had a follow up ultrasound Monday and one shrunk and the other is exactly the same. Mine are also 7 mm
That's great news! For me it's the nodules in combination with my other symptoms (cough, hoarseness, sore throat) that are concerning. Did you have any other symptoms? My US report said none of the nodules have a sonographically suspicious appearance, and my blood test for tsh levels was normal but my doc wants me to have a neck ct so I'm really frightened! Are your nodules solid? Mine were hypoechoic on the US and my doc says that means they are solid and not cysts.
---------- Post added at 15:18 ---------- Previous post was at 15:11 ----------
Hi Steph,
I am not supposed to seek reassurance either, but sometimes I just have to. I think of it like a diet. If I don't cheat every once in a while, I'm not going to be able to stay on the diet.
My husband has Stage 4 Lung Cancer. A 1.1 cm thyroid nodule showed up on one of his regular CT exams. His oncologist completely dismissed it, saying it was irrelevant and nothing to worry about. It may be that the CT scan showed details about this nodule that enabled a quick diagnosis. I am not sure. Nevertheless, that is a pretty big nodule and it is benign.
You are going to be just fine. I'm amazed at how differently I react to things when my health anxiety is under control. You doing excellent things to take care of both your mental and physical health. You've got this :bighug1:
I love how you said if you don't cheat once in a while, you're not going to be able to stay on the diet. That is a brilliant analogy! Thank you for your support.
I have had thyroid nodules. Man I wish they had never been found! They were found by accident! But doctors will test and test once something is found! In the end it all turned out to be ABSOLUTELY NOTHING and I spent YEARS going for check ups, biopsies, etc. and LOADS of money and time. some of mine are larger than yours and they actually were suspicious. I was told mine were “complex nodules” and that I needed a fine needle biopsy. The results? Inconclusive! Because an ENT did it and didn’t have ultrasound guidance. They repeated the biopsy. Again inconclusive. (And it is not fun) They wanted to REMOVE half of my thyroid bc they couldn’t say If it was cancer or not. I said no and saw and Endo. She said it would have been completely unnecessary to have any part of my thyroid removed. So please, only consult an Endo for this! Loads of people go under the knife when nothing at all is wrong with them! She advised that even though they were suspicious it would be better to watch them over time bc thyroid cancer is SO slow growing. Years of slow growth even. So, every six months I went to have an ultrasound. Each visit was “is this cancer looking?” Finally I moved towns and had to change Endo Dr. well, the newest US was done on a different machine causing the nodules to appear bigger so ANOTHER biopsy was ordered. FINALLY I got a definitive answer: no this is not cancer. Still they wanted me to come in every six months till I finally switched to another Endo who told me after several visits that I no longer need to monitor it. Oh, just 12 years later. I was also told previously that it was a multinodular goiter. My final
Endo disagreed. Never had one off blood test. The stupid nodules were just an incidental find and I wasted so much time and energy and worry. If it makes you feel better I know someone my age (41) who actually had the slow growing thyroid cancer. She had it removed, took a radioactive pill and that was it. And that was like 10 yrs ago. Easy peasy.
You getting sick is not caused by the thyroid nodules. They don’t make you sick. That’s your health anxiety trying to connect the dots bc that’s what we do. We do catch colds though. And sinus infections. And sometimes you catch things back to back. It’s just part of being human!
Try not to worry. This sounds like nothing. You were told they aren’t suspicious. Please take it from someone who had suspicious ones - and it all turned out to be NOTHING - you will be okay!!!
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Forgot to mention the very first thing I had was a neck CT scan. If I could do it all over again I would Bypass the ENT totally. Go straight to the Endo. I don’t even think they looked at my CT scan. But who knows. The Endo is MORE SPECIALIZED than the ENT. so what if it takes 3 months to get an appointment. You can skip the BS. These thyroid nodules are so nothing ESPECIALLY if you were told they aren’t suspicious. You don’t need to know why they aren’t suspicious. But you do need to know it’s okay to let the doctors do their job and you just show up. Don’t google. You will only read the worst one weirdo story that will freak you out. Hope this helps.
Serotoninsteph
24-06-18, 05:14
hope_girl,
You can't imagine how much you have helped me tonight! I can't thank you enough for this valuable insight and support, you really have made me feel so much better!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I've just read through my ultrasound report and my nodules were classed as solid hypoechoic ovoids (the largest was 3cm and the others were 2cm and 1cm). I didn't google these definitions before getting my biopsy results because I knew I would be terrified by what I read.
They were all benign.
If you do need to have your nodules biopsied (and they may not be big enough) you need to have an ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration of them. You do not want an inconclusive result. You need a decent sample taken by a consultant radiologist.
I'm not sure why your doctor has ordered a CT scan of your neck. I hope it's not for "reassurance". An endocrinologist would be the best person to consult for analysing thyroid nodules.
Pulisa is right. An ultra sound guided fine needle biopsy is the only way to go. That’s what my final biopsy was. The first two were not. I sat there thinking WTH was that ENT thinking not doing this. I can’t stress how important it is to skip the ENT and go right to the Endo. It’s really a shame ENT’s don’t just send people on. I’ve met several people with scars on their necks who told me they had nodules that were inconclusive for cancer so they had either the whole thyroid out or part of it. When I ask what kind of Dr did the surgery - ENT!
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And when those people got the results back after surgery - not cancer. Boom. Unnecessary surgery.
Glad I could help you feel better. However. You reassurance only lasts a little while and has the reverse affect eventually bc it feeds the cycle of HA. Yes, this is a medical thing that requires some appointments and some procedures. But it’s truly very minor. However you are likely going to freak yourself out all over again. Do you have a therapist? CBT is the best form of therapy IMO for HA. You need strategies for coping with this. Posting on forums might give you some immediate relief but I would suggest you tackle it with a therapist. It is the only thing that has helped me for real. Make friends with the nodules. See this as a time to really focus on your health anxiety while you do have a real medical issue going on that’s not major but has enough “scare” to set the stage for health anxiety to spiral. This is time to practice what you have already learned and/or gain new skills for coping. Does that make sense?
Excellent advice, hope girl. You've got a real success story there!
Mine are all under 1 cm, I believe 5 mm and 7 mm. Both are hypoechoic and solid like yours.
Hi, I have 2 nodules, one 11mm in the largest size, the second one 8mm.it was found by accident in 01/2017, i had fine needle aspiration biopsy, benign colloid nodules.both are hypoechoic, solid, in the smaller one is fine calcification.i have ultrasound once a year.i had i yesterday, they didnt grow.next visit 09/2019.doctor doesnt worry at all, but i am freaking out bc they are solid,hypoechoic,calcification...
I replied to you in the thread you started yesterday, Zebra.
I have 3 large nodules myself, much larger than yours, which are benign. Your nodules are benign as defined by the FNA. They haven't grown and you just have to have them scanned once a year. Solid,hypoechoic,calcification?? No need to read up on this because the nodules are confirmed benign by biopsy and your consultant bases his diagnosis on biopsy results not Google/internet "information".
No growth, benign biopsy result, no rescanning needed for a year....I think you're fine and should be relieved that you have this result.
Thank you..i know...but i think fnab isnt always 100%...and also the nodule can chsnge in time..but the most concerning point for me is the calcification...but ok, i must try to think positive
Was the consultant thinking that the calcification showed that the biopsy was inaccurate? Would he wait a year before rescanning you if there was any doubt?
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I know I won't be able to convince you though but in my opinion it's needless worry over a reassuring result. I'd be delighted if I got this news next month.
Thank you and fingers crossed for october
I'm due to be rescanned in Oct/November. It has been 6 months since the last scan. I'd love to be given the all clear and an appointment for a year's time. I really don't want my thyroid taken out in its entirety which was discussed as an option last time.
Fully understand..good luck
Thank you, zebra. Try and accept what the consultant has said-your nodules are benign.
I'm due to be rescanned in Oct/November. It has been 6 months since the last scan. I'd love to be given the all clear and an appointment for a year's time. I really don't want my thyroid taken out in its entirety which was discussed as an option last time.
Hi Pulisa, hiw are you doing with your nodules? i hope all clear results!:flowers:
Yes there has been so significant growth in the last 6 months so nothing needs to be done until May when I'll have another ultrasound.
Thanks so much for asking, zebra.
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