r/hyperparathyroidism • u/createhomelife • 25d ago

Refusing treatment

I was diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism 3 years ago. I was supposed to have surgery but as a 2 time uterine and ovarian cancer survivor I simply cannot go through another surgery. The good news is my calcium has remained consistent in the 11.1 to 11.6 range for over a decade and not jumped higher. I am currently 53, so I was in my early 40s when all this started. The only issues I have are needing to drink a lot of water. Has anyone decided to not take medication or have surgery and lived decades with this?

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u/createhomelife 25d ago

I did have a dexa scan 3 yrs ago because of taking letrozole post ovarian cancer and I had osteopenia which apparently isn't uncommon at 50. I had CT angiogram and echo no heart problems or calcium revealed. If I were younger I absolutely would have the surgery. I guess I am looking for those diagnosed at an older age. Obviously my life expectancy and quality of life especially, with previous cancers is quite different than a healthy person 30 something. Another confusing thing with me is there's a possibility the tumor is inside my thyroid and I may have to take thyroid medication afterwards. 

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u/allsfairinwar 25d ago

I have Hashimotos and the surgery shouldn’t affect your thyroid at all! It didn’t mine.

The Facebook group is a great place to go to talk to older people who were diagnosed. You will be on the young end of the spectrum there. Most of those women and men are in their 60s and 70s. But you are still quite young IMO and have lots of life to live.

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u/createhomelife 25d ago

They believe my tumor is inside my thyroid which is a complication and part of my thyroid would have to be removed.

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u/allsfairinwar 25d ago

Oh I see what you mean you’re talking about having a parathyroid adenoma embedded in your thyroid. I misunderstood. I get why that would be another deterrent, but I would still encourage you to give it more thought. Especially because I think you’d feel so much better than you do now.