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 folks,
I posted once ages ago and then have been off in China doing field work ever since and can't get to a computer often. When I do, I stop in and lurk at the discussions here and I learn a lot. All my interactions with my doctor are via email, which has actually been nice - I get long thoughtful answers to my questions instead of a quick blitz-exam. Reading your discussions here helps me ask him the right questions. I get my blood tested at the hospital in town every few months and so far, for 9 months, my labs have been perfectly in the middle and I feel fine.
My question is, I've started having weird depth-perception issues. For example, I go to pick up a cup and the handle isn't where I think it is. Things farther away than arms-length seem to be fine. It's just the close-up stuff that has me reaching for a door and missing the handle, or not being able to pick up a pen on a table. My doctor asked me to send him photos of my eyes, and he said (and I agree) that there are no signs of TED, no bulging eyes, etc. I've looked online a bit and sometimes the symptom "double vision" is listed, but I don't really have that either. I only see one of anything, but somehow, things aren't where they look like they are.
Those of you with TED - did you ever have this symptom? Can you have symptoms of TED without the bulging eyes, or are all the other symptoms a result of the bulging eyes? Perhaps I have an unrelated eye-problem, but no way to diagnose that where I am.
Thanks :)
Red Panda
I posted once ages ago and then have been off in China doing field work ever since and can't get to a computer often. When I do, I stop in and lurk at the discussions here and I learn a lot. All my interactions with my doctor are via email, which has actually been nice - I get long thoughtful answers to my questions instead of a quick blitz-exam. Reading your discussions here helps me ask him the right questions. I get my blood tested at the hospital in town every few months and so far, for 9 months, my labs have been perfectly in the middle and I feel fine.
My question is, I've started having weird depth-perception issues. For example, I go to pick up a cup and the handle isn't where I think it is. Things farther away than arms-length seem to be fine. It's just the close-up stuff that has me reaching for a door and missing the handle, or not being able to pick up a pen on a table. My doctor asked me to send him photos of my eyes, and he said (and I agree) that there are no signs of TED, no bulging eyes, etc. I've looked online a bit and sometimes the symptom "double vision" is listed, but I don't really have that either. I only see one of anything, but somehow, things aren't where they look like they are.
Those of you with TED - did you ever have this symptom? Can you have symptoms of TED without the bulging eyes, or are all the other symptoms a result of the bulging eyes? Perhaps I have an unrelated eye-problem, but no way to diagnose that where I am.
Thanks :)
Red Panda
I'd get to an eye doctor or neurologist with your symptoms. Are you able to see a doctor in China?
No, I can't get to a hospital easily here. Not that there aren't good doctors in China, they just tend to be located in cities, and I'm pretty far in the hinterlands where I even have to provide my own needles for blood draws...egads.
I'll be back in the US in a few months - hopefully this is nothing life or vision threatening and can wait until then...
Im not sure if this is a sign of TED, only an Opth can do the appropriate tests to find out. Everyone is so different and this applies to symptoms of TED as well. Here is a link to Elaine Moores book on TED. If you click on the little red book on the top left hand corner...it will start from the beginning and then click on TED symptoms. I read this book in the beginning stages of my TED and followed her advise to the T...I believe its because of that, that I was able to achieve remission so quickly. She knows her stuff. Its a lengthy read but so worth the time it takes. I hope this helps you Red Panda...if you are developing TED its really good to catch it in the early stages...Big Hugs...Kathy
http://books.google.ca/books?id=z8DCXgLROHgC&pg=PA136&lpg=PA136&dq=Thyroid+eye+disease+#v=onepage&q=&f=false
I have found that my 'good' left eye likes to see far, but needs reading glasses for up close. My 'bad' right eye likes to see up close and not far away. If I aim the reading material right or the depth perception in my coffee cup, I can balance both eyes and see at the same time. It was kinda nerve racking at first at the beginning.
I find that lately when I use the supplement such as the dry form of vitamin A, I do better and plus it helps my dry eyes syndrome.
I am not sure if this describes your condition fully or only partially. Oh, i do not really have TED.
Let us know and nice to meet you.
{{{hugs}}} :-)