[Ski]

#1072146

Both eyes, wow! I’m sure many reassuring responses will be forthcoming. ” title=”Very Happy” /> You must’ve hit the cold phase, or they probably wouldn’t be doing the surgery ~ I guess you weren’t one of those who saw significant improvement prior to the cold phase. Sorry ’bout that. ” title=”Wink” /> I’m awfully glad you’re having the decompressions done though, I’m sure you’ll be happier afterward (after the recovery)!

I have NEVER heard that the thyroid rejuvenates after RAI (requiring surgery), by the way, and I’ve been hanging out at this Board for more than 10 years. There’s a slight chance that the RAI dose wouldn’t be large enough to destroy the whole thyroid, and in that case, if hyperthyroidism returns, the patient would have a choice of another RAI, or surgery. I have never heard that surgery is "routine" following RAI, except for thyroid cancer patients. Oh, except I think they do it in reverse (thyroid surgery first, RAI following, to cover any thyroid tissue that may remain).

My thyroid is LONG gone since RAI, no hint of its return.

Best of luck on your surgery, we’ll be thinking of you!!

[tc75]

#1019513

Hi there!
I posted a little while back about my upcoming surgery. Thank you to those who have responded.I am sorry I havent responded sooner tho! Things are pretty wild around here with my 8 month old and my 22 month old…as I am sure you mothers and fathers know!!
I just wanted to give a little background about me, and hopefully it will answer all the posted questions people had.
I have had Graves Disease for 4 years now. I had RAI done about 1 year after I was diagnosed. I was very sick, and my options were RAI or surgery. I opted for RAI because I was terrified of surgery. I was told however, that eventually i would need the surgery as the thyroid rejuvinates over time. (I am curious if anyone else has been told that?)
My eyes were the reason I saw my doctor before I was even diagnosed with Graves. I was told at first it was allergies… (lol I wish)
They became progressively worse, even after the RAI. They ‘peaked’ about 3 years ago in thier severity, and have not changed since. (I was praying for the ‘cold phase’) I went through all the non-invasive treatments (steriods, lubricants, tape for my one eye that wont close at night) but nothing helped.
My decompression surgery is coming up soon. April 15th. Both eyes. I am terrified.

[Jake_George]

#1072147

Hay TC,

I was worried crazy prior to my orbital decompressions. I didn’t know what to expect. Recovery times, pain levels, etc.

When all was said and done the surgery went off with no problems, pain was minimal (in my case) and recovery was fast. I was back to work in two weeks, but probably could have gone back in one. If people didn’t mind seeing me with two slightly black eyes.

There are a number of ways they can do the decompression. Did your doctor tell you "how" they would do the decompressions? My doctor went in through my lower eye lids and a really small incision on the side of my nose. I woke up with my face numb and that lasted for about six months. Each month the feeling came back about an inch a month. I was numb to my upper teeth and just about to my ear. By the end of the first month I could feel my front teeth and upper lip. By the second month I could feel my nostrels and the tip of my nose.

Each day got better and I got more feeling back. The results were immediate and dramatic. I looked like my old self again and my dry eyes were almost only a bad memory.

Bottom line is you can expect to feel much better and look better. Let us know how things go and please post if you have any questions.

[tc75]

#1072148

Hi again,
My doctor told me he would be going in through both the inner corner and outer corners of both eyes. I was told that there would be a very small, sutured area (3 mm or so) from the outside corners. He also told me that they would be removing bone (cartilage) from the sinus areas along side my upper nose near the inner corners of my eyes. Its veryhard for me to explain what I was told, I apologize!! If only I could draw the pictures he showed me…(I am a terrible sketcher tho, so that too would be hard to read..lol)
Anyway, the idea is to open up a hole in my sinuses, to allow the inflammed tissues have a new area to fall into.
Have you or anyone else here heard of this? He had told me it is what they do ‘these days’… He never told me of what they used to do.

[Ski]

#1072149

Oh yes, we’ve heard of this ~ there are lots of ways to accomplish decompression, and I believe every doctor has their preferred techniques, as well as customizing the procedure to your specific issues. It’s complicated for each patient, I know that much. I’m sure it helps to have a physical picture of what they’ll be doing. I do know that some other issues may need resolving afterward, and I’m sure you’ve heard that as well. Getting the eyes JUST right can involve tiny adjustments after you’ve healed from the decompression, but never fear, everything is solvable. Wishing you all the best!

[Marpo]

#1072150

I just wanted to add my two cents worth. The decompression sounds worse then it really is. It is understandable to be afraid of it. After all it is your eye’s . I had both of my eye’s done at the same time. The pain was not as bad as I thought it would be. But, there is pain after. I went in the morning and was home that evening. My eye’s were so swollen I could not see. I did need help going to the bathroom. I was still a little groggy the next day. Every day was better. I had a swollen face and black eye’s for almost two weeks. It did get rid of the bulgy eye’s and my double vision. I have since had upper lid retraction on one eye and lower lid retraction on both eye’s.

Remember we are all different. Some of us need more surgery and some don’t. You will be glad you had it done. I wish you luck. You will be fine.

[npatterson]

#1072151

I had both eyes done at the same time. As others have said, it sounded scarier that it turned out to be. My best advice is to follow the surgeons recommendation about ice packs. Mine requested them fcontinuously for 48 hours. They were better than pain medicine! My eyes stayed "numb", the swelling stayed down. I could just snuggle back down and go right back to sleep.

Like others say, you will be glad you had this done. Your eyes well feel better, will CLOSE (!) at night, and by the way…you will look better, too.

Take care ~

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