Anyone have a thyroid tumour?

[brant]

Hey out there!
I've been experiencing un-provoked sensations of fear or panic while I dive.I can always(so-far)calm myself down and continue my dive,but I always wonder when it will hit me again.These episodes greatly decrease my enjoyment of diving and sometimes make me consider giving up.However I really enjoy diving and quitting isn't even close to what I want to do.Several months ago I noticed a lump in my neck and was diagnosed with a 3cm tumour on my thyroid. Last monday I had the tumour removed and the left lobe of my thyroid. I've done some reading on thyroid tumours and found that anxiety and panic attacks are common symptoms of this condition.Has anyone else out there had a similar experience? Can I hope that my feelings of panic will go away or be somehow reduced?I want to get back in the water as soon as possible but the weather isn't getting any better. Thanks for listening, I hope to hear good news soon!! BRANT

 

[Web Monkey]

An overactive thyroid can cause all sorts of things from mood changes to weight loss. There's hardly a process in your body that isn't effected by the thyroid.

I certainly wouldn't be surprised if it was playing with your head while diving.

Congrats on having it fixed.

Terry

Hey out there!
I've been experiencing un-provoked sensations of fear or panic while I dive.I can always(so-far)calm myself down and continue my dive,but I always wonder when it will hit me again.These episodes greatly decrease my enjoyment of diving and sometimes make me consider giving up.However I really enjoy diving and quitting isn't even close to what I want to do.Several months ago I noticed a lump in my neck and was diagnosed with a 3cm tumour on my thyroid. Last monday I had the tumour removed and the left lobe of my thyroid. I've done some reading on thyroid tumours and found that anxiety and panic attacks are common symptoms of this condition.Has anyone else out there had a similar experience? Can I hope that my feelings of panic will go away or be somehow reduced?I want to get back in the water as soon as possible but the weather isn't getting any better. Thanks for listening, I hope to hear good news soon!! BRANT

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Brant,

If a thyroid tumor is causing hyperthyroidism, it would be reasonable for the affected individual to expect feelings of fear and panic to either disappear or be substantially reduced by removal.

If such sensations continue after surgery, this forum can offer suggestions for anxiety management.

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[TSandM]

Agree with Doc Vikingo. If this is what we call a functioning tumor, which means it's hypersecreting thyroid hormone, nervousness and anxiety are a common side effect of hormone levels that are too high. Therefore, removal of the tumor would improve those symptoms.

If this was a non-functioning tumor, the symptoms would not change.

 

[brant]

Thanks :
Your opinions are much appreciated. I have talked to 5 people that have had this surgery and all of them have had a reduction or elimination in panic since their surgeries. However none of them are divers. I wonder now if someone with these issues would be very afraid of diving. I will be interested to see how many divers have had thyroid issues and kept on diving. BRANT