When do the post thyroidectomy blues end? I’m nearly 4 weeks post op and still don’t feel like myself, struggling with chronic fatigue and low mood in particular

Sorry to hear that you having been feeling low and exhausted after your completion surgery. I assume that on both occasions you had a general anesthetic and this can take quite a bit of time to bounce back from. I was advised that I would feel better once I was on the correct dose of levothyroxine but that I would need 8 weeks for my body to adjust before doing a blood test.  some people reach the right dose quickly but others need to adjust their dose on a number of occasions. Your oncologist will have a view on the levels they want you to reach and it is important to follow the advice you have been given about when to take your meds and any other drugs you take as some can interact with levothyroxine. 
If you are feeling exhausted I hope you will be able to extend your leave from work as you will need time off for your radioiodine treatment. 
I wish you all the best for your recovery. If you have been allocated a cancer nurse specialist let them know how you are feeling. 

Hi there, thank you for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate the advice. I am due to have my bloods taken in 4 weeks time so I guess that will shed some light on whether my Levothyroxine dose is to blame. I was also prescribed a loading dose of vitamin D (50,000 Units a week) so I know that a continued deficiency may be contributing to the fatigue.  It has only been a few weeks so perhaps it isn’t too abnormal that I’m still not okay.

Hi Kimmy313, I just wanted to pop on and add to Langdaleman's great advice with some reassurance. I'm sorry you feel so low after your second surgery. If you search through a few past posts I think you'll find many of us feel like this. I had neck dissections aswell as TT and I was floored by how low I felt after mine. I literally wept at times, it shocked me and yet other times I could just about hold it together! It took me months to get on top of it. Yes, I think due to the general anaesthetics , vitamin imbalances etc and add on top getting used to the synthetic thyroxine but also don't underestimate the enormity of being told you have cancer. Some people seem to be able to deal with this okay but a lot find it challenging however much you try to put it to the back of your mind while you deal with everything else. The human mind is an amazing thing and although it will adapt, it takes us all a different amount of time and different ways to get there. I got frustrated with myself that I wasn't feeling “my old self” that my family expected me to be again and I think this put me under so much extra pressure, which conversely made it worse. I learnt eventually to say no to family/social events due to the chronic fatigue, you have to ration your energy to get through the day but you also have to steel yourself to their disapproving comments. Those that really care for you will understand. I actually found it quite liberating in the end and now have a circle around me who I know really care and understand. But I'm 58 not 28 like you so that must be hard for you! I never really understood the saying “be kind to yourself” until I had cancer! It really is apt.

I found a Maggie's nearby to me that you can just call in and talk to someone. This was really helpful as I didn't want to add to the turmoil my then 19 year old daughter was in, with my low thoughts and feelings. Macmillan also have 6 free counselling sessions if you weren't aware. Perhaps you could talk to your GP? Langdaleman's advice of telling your CNS is good too, I found mine to be very understanding helping me navigate it all and she still helps me 20 months later! Could you arrange a phased return back to work? Just part time to start with to see how you get on?

Just hold onto the fact that it's quite usual to feel like this and you will adapt to it all, it does all improve especially when you get your T3 T4 levels in a good range for you but there's no one size fits all timescale for this. There's usually somebody about on here, it's not the fastest platform but someone will always reply if they can help. I'll tag Ocean23 if she doesn't mind as I think if I remember right she was quite young when diagnosed like you. X

Oh K9crazy thank you so much for your reply  which brought me to tears slightly. It’s just so nice to be reassured by someone who understands. I do feel like everyone around me, although very supportive and loving, expects me to be okay now. After all the surgeries are over now and this isn’t fatal. I do see this perspective and I am so grateful that I’m not going through anything worse. I lost my Dad to cancer in 2019 (a loss I still grieve to this day and for which I never received counselling) so I really do know how awful it can all be. I’m starting to feel guilty for not being okay and feel like I’m starting to isolate myself. I’m going to take your advice to get some counselling. This might sound silly but I’ve had no contact with a particular specialist nurse or atleast not that I can remember. I’ll ask my consultant about this at my next consultation. A phased return to work does also seem sensible. It is also a job I’m able to do remotely. 

Thank you for taking the time to respond. You’re ever so kind. I’ll be returning to this message when I’m low in mood and need  some perspective and a reminder to be kind to myself. X

Ahh I'm so glad it was some comfort to you. I also found that speaking on this forum to people who have experienced cancer first hand was a real help to me too. Those that haven't been through it, although doing their best, just didn't really understand the complexities involved, mentally not just physically. In my case I think it was just their fear of cancer and just wanting it all to go away for me. Remember, just because your cancer is treatable doesn't make your feelings, good or bad, any less valid. Although I completely know what you mean by the guilt too.

I had a lot of what Macmillan term as “toxic positivity” .

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/community_news/posts/toxic-positivity-talking-about-cancer

Maybe have a read of this too, it helped me and some people on here have shown it to family/friends to help them understand a bit more too. I hope the links work!

workingwithcancer.co.uk/.../After-the-treatment-finishes-then-what.pdf

I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad. I think reaching out to the Macmillan counsellors will definitely be helpful for you.

I also work from home and did a phased return and it was a real help in easing me back into work and took the pressure off, so yes that's definitely worth exploring if you are able.

No it doesn't sound silly that you haven't been given the contact details of your Clinical Nurse Specialist. I've read that a lot on the forum and I'm not sure if it varies from nhs area to area but I'd definitely ask your consultant. Mine has been an absolute Godsend but I think I'm lucky in her.

I wish you all the best. Pop back on with any questions anytime and let us know how you're getting on. X