I am a new member. On February 2nd, I broke my ankle: they xrayed not
only my ankle, but also my neck (to make sure there was no injury):
my neck was fine: but they "incidentally" noticed on the xray that I
had thyroid nodules, something I had not been aware of since there
was no lump that could be felt.

I had an ultrasound last week: and they found 4 nodules. 3 are cysts,
but one is a combination of cyst and solid "complex mass". Now they
want to do either a needle biopsy, or a scan with radiation.
The scan with radiation would require being off work an additional
day (I have already taken 3 weeks off from work due to my ankle) plus
I would have to live in a motel for a day: we have 3 cats: I have
been told that the radiation from this test is dangerous to small
children and animals: there is absolutely no way to keep the cats
away from me other than using a squirt bottle, which would probably
permanently convince them that I no longer loved them.

So am hoping they do the needle biopsy, which I think is only a few
minutes.
they will also do a T3, T4 and TSH bloodwork.

I am very worried that this could be thyroid cancer,although have
been told that the majority of these nodules, even if there is a
solid component, are not. But that if it is, most thyroid cancer is
very treatable.

Has anyone had experience with these kinds of nodules?

I am very worried about this since my partner is a 3 year breast
cancer survivor: so we are a little "gun shy" right now.

Also: would thyroid nodules cause the following symptoms?
For about the past 5 to 10 years, I have found that I am
uncomfortable sleeping on my back: I feel sort of choky and
uncomfortable: so am a definite side sleeper: canot sleep on my back
at all. Also for the past 2 years I have had a slight degree of what
they call reverse aspiration: that is, occasionally a small amount of
food or drink (or even saliva, if I have not been eating or drinking)
will come back up and I will cough it up. I had a barium swallow last
year, and they found nothing abnormal so just said they didn't know
why this was happening: might be aging (I am almost 50). In addition,
when I drink a beverage especially a soda, I have a little bit of
coughing and drainage. Could this all be caused by thyroid nodules?
If so, why werent' these detected last year on the barium swallow?
And why weren't they seen when, in 2005, I had a carotid ultrasound
in order to diagnose a problem with my eyes? Or maybe it was
seen "incidentally" but not commented on becuase it didn't related to
the main focus of the ultransound?

I will probably have the tests after March 13th: because right now
due to my ankle injury I am not allowed to bear weight on that leg so
am temporarily using a walker/unable to drive. Any information that
you can give me that can help me feel more relaxed between now and
then will help.

Laurie