CPAP Safety Question

[linn]

I have been struggling with a swollen thyroid which gets irritated by the CPAP. I am hoping to have my thyroid removed and I am waiting for the doctor to get back to me.

Is it safe for me to continue using the CPAP? I wake up with a swollen throat, tongue and raspy voice which seems to improve over the course of the day.

I may have a bit of a wait to get thyroid surgery and I can't bare the thought of not using the CPAP while I am waiting. I don't mind a bit of pain as long as my throat doesn't close up on me.

I thought that I could find some good opinions on this is forum.

Thanks!

[DariaVader]

Best guess is that the thyroid swelling in the light of confirmed presence of hashimotos antibodies is due to autoimmune flareup and the resulting inflammation of the immune response. Anything you can do to reduce overall inflammation and immune response will help for the short term. Since it is responding unfavorably to CPAP air, perhaps it would have less of a response to a different temperature (warmer, probably) How do you have warmth and humidity set? Herbal anti-inflammatories might help some. NSAIDS might help if you can tolerate them otherwise.

I sympathize - I remember having similar issues, although I was not on PAP til after thyroidectomy.

[linn]

Best guess is that the thyroid swelling in the light of confirmed presence of hashimotos antibodies is due to autoimmune flareup and the resulting inflammation of the immune response. Anything you can do to reduce overall inflammation and immune response will help for the short term. Since it is responding unfavorably to CPAP air, perhaps it would have less of a response to a different temperature (warmer, probably) How do you have warmth and humidity set? Herbal anti-inflammatories might help some. NSAIDS might help if you can tolerate them otherwise.

I sympathize - I remember having similar issues, although I was not on PAP til after thyroidectomy.

Thanks for the feedback, Daria.

I'm really scared and the endocrinologist is taking his time getting back to me. I have the CPAP set at a humidity of 6. My throat is pretty good right now, however I imagine that it will be bad again in the morning. I don't mind a bit of swelling, I'm just a little scared because it's my throat.

The waiting list for surgery is months here in Ontario and I can't get any sleep without the CPAP. I live alone and this is becoming a bit of a nightmare

[cate1898]

Perhaps while you wait for the endocrinologist to finish his golf game you should either phone/visit your GP and ask him/her about this. At least you'll have a medical opinion from someone with all your records until you can confirm with the endo.

[linn]

Perhaps while you wait for the endocrinologist to finish his golf game you should either phone/visit your GP and ask him/her about this. At least you'll have a medical opinion from someone with all your records until you can confirm with the endo.

That's a good idea - but my Dr. is only in the office a couple days a week. I will try....thanks

[DariaVader]

FWIW - mine got jinormous without killing me... the left lobe was 94 grams (about 1/4 lb raw meat... ewwww) when they removed it... it was a baseball sized visible lump in my neck, It moved my trachea off center, and 5 years later I still have loose skin where it used to be.

have they ever biopsied or ultrasounded yours?

[linn]

FWIW - mine got jinormous without killing me... the left lobe was 94 grams (about 1/4 lb raw meat... ewwww) when they removed it... it was a baseball sized visible lump in my neck, It moved my trachea off center, and 5 years later I still have loose skin where it used to be.

have they ever biopsied or ultrasounded yours?

Mine used to be huge like yours, but it shrunk a bit after 6 yrs of .88mcg Synthroid. They have done 2 ultrasounds on my goiter - the second one was done about 5 months ago. They also put a camera down my nose about 6 years ago - to see if my throat was in danger of being blocked off. They have never done a biopsy and the ultrasound from June showed that my thyroid was inflamed all over.

[DWaldman]

I have been struggling with a swollen thyroid which gets irritated by the CPAP. I am hoping to have my thyroid removed and I am waiting for the doctor to get back to me.

Is it safe for me to continue using the CPAP? I wake up with a swollen throat, tongue and raspy voice which seems to improve over the course of the day.

I may have a bit of a wait to get thyroid surgery and I can't bare the thought of not using the CPAP while I am waiting. I don't mind a bit of pain as long as my throat doesn't close up on me.

I thought that I could find some good opinions on this is forum.

Thanks!

This seems to amount to medical advice. My suggestion would be to contact a Dr. if even not your regular for advice. an ENT would be my suggestion.