Graves' Disease Support Group
Graves-Basedow disease is a medical disorder that may manifest several different conditions including hyperthyroidism (over activity of thyroid hormone production), infiltrative exophthalmos (protruberance of one or both eyes and associated problems) and infiltrative dermopathy (a skin condition usually of the lower extremities). This disorder is the most common cause of...
Hi,
My TED seems to have flared up again something fierce. And I have to admit, I'm a bit discouraged. A few months ago the surgeons were talking about planning the muscle surgery to correct my double vision in the next quarter or so, and I didn't need orbital decompression. But my thyroid levels became hyper again (I think maybe stress from Dad's death was a trigger) and so all was put on hold.
Just saw the eye doctor last week, and while my eyes aren't more crossed, the movement has become so restricted in upward gaze that I can't use a prism for single vision anymore, so I have one eye blurred with a film on my glasses, and he thinks orbital decompression might be necessary after all.. And now my eyes are as swollen and inflamed as ever. My family and coworkers have commented on it, so I'm not imagining it. (I overheard "bug-eyed frog" as a descriptor, for real. And, my eyes are pretty uncomfortable.) How long might I expect this active phase to last? I really could use a pep talk, or a hug or something. I don't usually have such a hard time staying upbeat and positive, but I'm struggling a bit with this eye stuff; the double vision is the worst. But, I do remind myself that at least it's not sight-threatening for me.
Thanks!
My TED seems to have flared up again something fierce. And I have to admit, I'm a bit discouraged. A few months ago the surgeons were talking about planning the muscle surgery to correct my double vision in the next quarter or so, and I didn't need orbital decompression. But my thyroid levels became hyper again (I think maybe stress from Dad's death was a trigger) and so all was put on hold.
Just saw the eye doctor last week, and while my eyes aren't more crossed, the movement has become so restricted in upward gaze that I can't use a prism for single vision anymore, so I have one eye blurred with a film on my glasses, and he thinks orbital decompression might be necessary after all.. And now my eyes are as swollen and inflamed as ever. My family and coworkers have commented on it, so I'm not imagining it. (I overheard "bug-eyed frog" as a descriptor, for real. And, my eyes are pretty uncomfortable.) How long might I expect this active phase to last? I really could use a pep talk, or a hug or something. I don't usually have such a hard time staying upbeat and positive, but I'm struggling a bit with this eye stuff; the double vision is the worst. But, I do remind myself that at least it's not sight-threatening for me.
Thanks!
Christy
FT3 2.9 (2.3-4.2) FT4 0.9 (0.8-1.8) TSH less than 0.03
My assistant said she's noticed a change in me since dose reduction, and it's not been positive. Brain fog ridiculous. I feel "dull" and listless. I'm tired but not sleeping well. The last few days I randomly felt weepy. I think I could be in the full grip of being hypo? 3 weeks since dose reduction. How long before I might expect a positive change, if the dose reduction were enough? Endo would like me to wait 2 more weeks for labs to give it enough time, and to coincide with my appt with her then. She also said perhaps the frequent dose changes trying to get me to "normal" may have my body needing some time to stabilize? The dose changes over the past several months have been relatively small, 1.25mg to 2.5mg up or down, every 4-6 weeks. Bottom line, how long should it take to see a difference? (Sorry if I'm rambling, but more than a little frustrated.)