Hypercalcemia - has anyone experienced it?

[Monoceros]

I have recently been diagnosed with hypercalcemia. I have been advised that, at my age (42), surgical removal of the malfunctioning parathyroid gland is necessary. Has anyone undergone this procedure? I am quite nervous about the surgery and would appreciate words of advice and real life experiences. How was the surgery? Has it worked? Thank you!

Anyone?

Hi there, yes I had it a few years back.

I had an adenoma removed 3 years ago.

There is a brilliant Facebook group for people going through this called Hyperparathyroid UK action for change which has lots of advice and stories of people going through the same thing.

How did you get diagnosed?

Thank you for that, I will check the Facebook group. I was diagnosed following a routine blood test. Has your surgery fixed the problem? Is your level of calcium normal now?

Yes I’m much better - it caused osteoporosis for me and I broke quite a few bones before it was diagnosed. I’m having a bone scan soon to check whether my bone density has improved.

I used to get terrible indigestion and that has cleared up too. Brain fog has gone and I don’t get pain in my feet that I used to get.

The surgery was straight forward - just an overnight stay but I did feel rotten about 3 days after as the calcium readjusted itself. I was off work about 3 weeks I think.
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They have a website too
here

In my case the (mildly) elevated calcium caused kidney stones - I had 5 bouts before the adenoma was removed. None since so a definite win! I can’t remember much about the surgery as it was a fair while ago but I’m pretty sure it was straightforward and easy. Good luck!

Thank you so much for the info, sounds positive! After checking info on the Parathyroid UK Action for Change website, I guess I should consider myself lucky for having been diagnosed at all. I haven't experienced any kidney stones or bone breaks - but, yes!, I suffer from a terrible foot pain (I didn't know it was related to my condition), brain fog and difficulty with concentration and memory. Just had a parathyroid scan yesterday and will need a thyroid scan as well. I think I'll be referred to a surgeon in October during my next visit to the endocrinologist. Thank you again for your stories and positive words!

It might be worth you asking for a DEXA bone scan too so that you can check for any osteoporosis.

Thank you for the suggestion BestIsWest, I'll ask the specialist if I can be referred.