Can’t catch breath after thyroidectomy

Hi, I had my hemithyroidectomy August and received the PTC diagnosis. I was having issues swallowing before as the nodule was pushing on my throat. When I had scans it showed that the pressure was causing muscle spasms, I wonder if this is what you're getting as I also choked on air. 

When they did my surgery they also stretched my throat. I also have bad acid reflux that gives the same pressure. 

Due to the surgery you may be irritated but I would ask them if they could look at your throat? 

I do still have episodes now but a lot less. 

Not sure if that was helpful or not. Wishing you well

Thank you for your reply and hope you’re doing well. I had no swallowing issues before and don’t really have a major wit it now, I’m just more careful. I’ve only had these breathing/ can’t catch my breath since the vocal cord damage. I will speak to doctor but just wanted to hear other people’s thoughts. 

hi.. I had a total thyroidectomy in December 2023 but due to the size of my tumours they had damaged my vocal chords and oesophagus… my surgeon told me after the surgery that at some point they will operate to try and repair my vocal chords but I’m still having RAI treatments so I have to wait a while yet. I’ve spoken with a Speech and Language therapist too who reassured me that when I get a sudden feeling of breathlessness/choking a feeling like someone is pressing their fingers in my throat…it’s normal in the circumstances. Just like you when it first happened I was terrified but I hope I can reassure you that over time you’ll just get used to it and hopefully you’ll be able to get some further help from speech and language therapy or your surgeon to resolve it for you sooner than me. Good luck and hope Ive helped assure you that you are not alone x

Thank you so much, yes this has reassured me, sorry you had damage to the oesophagus as well! So much to cope with, only one of my vocal cords were damaged and my voice has got better. What do you do when you have that feeling of choking/ breathlessness? I read somewhere to take quick short breaths through the nose but it’s hard to remember when that’s happening. Good luck to you to and hope you have a speedy recovery 

Thank you… I do exactly that… try and relax and think of nice things…usually sitting on a beach with a G&T and take small slow breaths… the more you do it the easier it gets  x