[earthsechoes]

#1060260

I am 62 years old and very high strung. I was diagnosed with graves disease about 5 months ago. My doctor had blood work done after I told her that my heart was fluttering and my hands were shaking. I was referred to a specialist and given methmazole. It is the worst tasting pill I have ever encountered. I wad it up in a little piece of bread to be able to get it down. Anyways, my eyes are getting really bad but not really bulging. I went to an eye clinic but the specialist was not in and the Dr. that I did see told me that my eyes were just dry and gave me a sample of eyedrops. He did, however, set me up with another appt. with the real Dr. but it was 3 months away. A few weeks after that (now) I have had diarrhea for a month, my shaking is back, I am losing weight again so I went to my regular Dr. and she is doing a stool sample to test for parasites, giardia, bacteria and viral. In other words, I am a walking, breathing mess !!! I have an appt. with the specialist in four days and I am going to ask if I can have the thyroidectomy. I am soooo done messing around. Any info. on that would be greatly appreciated.

[Kimberly]

#1181609

Hello and welcome! Keep in mind that dosing with anti-thyroid drugs like methimazole is part art, part science. Follow up labs are usually done every few weeks and the dose is adjusted until you reach the “sweet spot” dose that will alleviate your hypER symptoms without making you hypO. I couldn’t tell from your post if you have had labs done since your diagnosis 5 months ago, but if not, that could be a factor in how poorly you are feeling now.

The “treatment options” thread in the announcements section of the forum has some great info on the risks and benefits of all three treatment options (anti-thyroid drugs, radioactive iodine, surgery).

Dry eye *can* be a symptom of thyroid eye disease, but there can also be other causes, so it’s good that you have an upcoming appointment with a specialist. If your schedule is flexible, you might ask if they can place you on a cancellation list, which might get you in a little more quickly.

Take care – and please check back to let us know how you are doing!

[barbra]

#1181610

Hi,

Sorry, you are feeling so lousy. You’re in the right place here, because at one time or another we all feel that way.
Luckily, when I took the Methimazole I never detected any kind of taste at all, but I have heard other people say that they did.
Your symptoms sound a lot like mine were when I was hyper. Is your specialist an Endocrinologist? Maybe you can try to get copies of the results of your blood tests.
Something to think about: with any of the three treatments the results are not immediate. There is still juggling with the Synthroid going on trying to find the ideal dose.
I hope that your eye issues are just dry eye and can be resolved soon.

Good luck to you. Keep us posted as to how you are.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[SallyB62]

#1181611

Make sure your endocrinologist and eye doctor specialize in Graves disease and TED. This can make a difference in your treatment and outcomes.

The other posts are right. After med changes, it can take a while for your body to adjust. Went through it myself. It sure is frustrating to get a med change, then wait a few weeks for the body to settle down, and the doctor to tell if you are near the “sweet spot.”

Keep after your doctors, even if it means retesting eyes and all.

Hope this helps.

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