Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
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  • magpie22
    Participant
    Post count: 2

    Is there anyone out there who has graves eye disease and smokes 5to10 smokes a day.does smoking make your graves worse?I have had graves for 25 yrs.I smoked before I got graves and for 3yrs after then quit for 15yrs, started smoking again have smoked for 8yrs again.

    snelsen
    Participant
    Post count: 1909

    Hi,
    WEll, you know all the info about smoking.
    I do not know if it exacerbates Graves’. But there are plenty of good data and studies now that say it exacerbates thyroid eye disease (TED.)
    I imagine if you can begin to decrease smoking again, that is a very good thing. Kimberly may have further info on the Graves’/smoking relationship.
    Shirley

    Kimberly
    Keymaster
    Post count: 4294

    Hello – Smokers are more likely to have severe eye complications (proptosis, double vision) than non-smokers, and they do not respond as well to conventional treatment options.

    It sounds like perhaps you were treated for hyperthyroidism long ago. Although the eye issues *usually* occur in conjunction with thyroid issues, it’s important to note that eye complications can occur at any time — sometimes before and sometimes long after treatment for hyperthyroidism. (Shirley can tell you this from personal experience!)

    Certainly it would be to your benefit to stop smoking, not just because of Graves’, but due to the numerous other health risks that come with smoking. A good first step would be to consult your doctor about smoking cessation tools; there are some nice online support resources as well, like this one:

    (Note on links: if you click directly on the following link, you will need to use your browser’s “back” button to return to the boards after viewing, or you will have to log back in to the forum. As an alternative, you can right-click the link and open it in a new tab or new window).

    http://www.smokefree.gov/

    Take care!

    magpie22
    Participant
    Post count: 2

    does anyone live in or near grand rapids Michigan that would be willing to talk to me .I have no one.

    Kimberly
    Keymaster
    Post count: 4294

    Hello – Hopefully, you will get some responses here, but you might keep an eye on the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center web site. They are in Ann Arbor and host patient events several times a year. Here is the next one:

    (Note on links: if you click directly on the following link, you will need to use your browser’s “back” button to return to the boards after viewing, or you will have to log back in to the forum. As an alternative, you can right-click the link and open it in a new tab or new window).

    http://www.kellogg.umich.edu/thyroid/autoimmune-patient-conference.html

    You can also contact the GDATF directly at 877-643-3123 or via e-mail at info (at) gdatf (dot) org.

    Take care!

    barbsie
    Participant
    Post count: 6

    Hi magpie22,

    Did you find someone to talk too?

    Never give up hope.

    take care,

    Barbsie

    Stymie
    Participant
    Post count: 195

    Hi

    Anytime you need to you can pm me.

    Big hugs.

    Diane

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