Thyroid nodule - really?

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codavis
codavis Member Posts: 122
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I visited my primary care doctor last week because I'd been having this weird issue for several months--it felt like something was stuck in my throat. I could eat and drink normally, but felt a constant need to clear my throat or drink a glass of water to wash 'something' down. She did a blood test for thyroid stimulating hormone, which was normal, and she suggested I have an ultrasound of my neck. The ultrasound showed a solid nodule in the right thyroid lobe, that measures 2.0 x 1.2 x 1.5 cm. She referred me for a biopsy of the nodule. I've got a call in to schedule the  biopsy as soon as possible.

During the past three months, I've been suffering from pain in my lower back, hip and thigh. Eventually, an orthopedist determined that I'd injured my iliotibial band, and he ordered six weeks of physical therapy. I've had four sessions, and the pain is not better. In fact, it's worse. Now I can't help but wonder if these two things--lump in my throat and pain in my leg/back--are related!

I had a bone scan two months ago that didn't show any unusual uptake of tracer so I was told that the pain in my leg wasn't a bone or mets issue. Is it possible to have mets in my lower back and leg that don't show up in a bone scan?

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  • shoppygirl
    shoppygirl Member Posts: 694
    edited January 2014

    codavis

    It never seems to end! I also had a thyriod nodule that was found on a ct scan. They did a biopsy and it was benign, most of them are. Mine is even bigger than yours at 3cm. The biopsy was no big deal, just a little weird. As far as your leg is concerned, I have always been under the impression that bone scans are pretty accurate but you could ask for a ct scan or MRI if you are very concerned. It never ceases to amaze me all the aches and pains we suffer from chemo and the drugs we receive after. 

    Good luck. 

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  • codavis
    codavis Member Posts: 122
    edited January 2014

    Thanks for the info. Biopsy is tomorrow morning, but I probably won't hear anything before next week. 

    Did you have any symptoms with the nodule?

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  • jwilco
    jwilco Member Posts: 486
    edited January 2014

    I had one too and it was benign.  The worry is the worst but supposedly they are common.  I hope yours is too!

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  • Jelson
    Jelson Member Posts: 1,535
    edited January 2014

    I had a nodule that was diagnosed when I went to the doctor because I was hoarse and had a persistent sore throat. My thyroid levels were normal but he could see the nodule looking at my neck straight on, I couldn't when I tried looking in the mirror. I had the entire lobe removed, the nodule was benign and that was 24 years ago - 20 years before my bc diagnosis. Hope yours is benign too.

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  • shoppygirl
    shoppygirl Member Posts: 694
    edited January 2014

    Hi

    I had no symptoms. Good luck tomorrow!!

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  • gentianviolet
    gentianviolet Member Posts: 316
    edited January 2014

    Codavis - although I don't have a thyroid problem I can speak to the issue of IT band pain.  I have been in PT for six weeks now and FINALLY with IT band stretching and strengthening of surrounding muscles the pain has improved.  It is not gone but it is better.  I had the same problem (other leg) about 10 years ago and it was several months before it completely resolved.  

    Good luck with your test, hope your biopsy is benign.

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  • codavis
    codavis Member Posts: 122
    edited January 2014

    gentianviolet: thank you. With your IT band issue, did it hurt only along the outside of your hip and thigh? Mine hurts in the thigh, outside the hip and buttock and in my lower  back. It's excruciating at times, and I've been taking ibuprofen several times a day for months. I'm so tired of it.

    shoppygirl, jwilco and jelson: thank you. I know that odds are it's benign, but UGH! Why is it always something?!

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  • gentianviolet
    gentianviolet Member Posts: 316
    edited January 2014

    codavis -yes, I had pain in many different places.  Right on the hip, traveling down the IT band to my knee, but only the lateral side of the knee.  Sometimes the pain would move to the upper muscle of the thigh right next to the IT band.  And it also hurt in my butt (the piriformis) muscle.  Many times I would have pain in one or two of those spots and then they would change and other spots would be more painful.  And, finally, yes, my lower back hurt like hell.......but on the opposite side of the hip pain.  My therapist said that was caused by the imbalance of limping and using the stronger leg for so long.  Let me know how you are doing in figuring it out.  I also must admit that the orthotics I use help the problem. 

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  • codavis
    codavis Member Posts: 122
    edited January 2014

    I wanted to update you all and tell you that the thyroid nodule is benign! I still can't quite believe it.

    My doc is referring me to an endocrinologist, but, unfortunately, i won't get in for a month or so. The feeling of something in my throat feels worse at times, but that could be my imagination. As far as I know, the only 'treatment' is to take the thyroid lobe out. Yuck.

    My IT band issue is still bad. I'll continue with physical therapy and hope for the best.

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  • shoppygirl
    shoppygirl Member Posts: 694
    edited January 2014

    yay!   Benign is always good!

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