[Anonymous October 6, 1996 at 6:59 pm Post count: 93172]

#1168608

No Bruce, my ophthalmologist hasn’t tried prednisone, and from what you said I am glad. Does it help, at least? Was the weight fat, or fluid? I have puffed up 10 pounds in the last week even without it! I don’t know if this is all fluid, or if some of it is because of low thyroid levels. This is the first time the diuretic hasn’t relieved it. I’m eating lightly. ( Hopefully I’ll start on thyroid replacement tomorrow, or I’ll have to buy new clothes!) Has anyone else experienced that when hypo?

I see the ophth. again mid-October so he can measure these babies again to determine if they’re changing. BTW, there’s been a major update to my homepage, if anyone is interested. . .http://netnow.micron.net/~deecee/ I’m still looking for more people to share their eyes and add their Graves’ stories to my page.
Dianne

[Anonymous October 6, 1996 at 10:08 pm Post count: 93172]

#1168609

Dianne-

At first the prednisone was like magic with my eyesight. Don’t think I could have done without it, but it sure gets you wired! If you can’t sleep now, you never will on prednisone. I think it was necesary in my case tho, your endocrinologist would be the one to tell you if you should be on it. I’m just surprised that they haven’t tried it.

It was fat that I gained! If you watch some of the old films of JFK you can see how he ballooned up on prednisone.

Bruce

[Anonymous October 6, 1996 at 10:38 pm Post count: 93172]

#1058472

Dianne- You never did mention in our email exchanges if the endo ever put you on prednisone to reduce the swelling of your eyes. I think I would have lost my eyes completely if it wasn’t for the prednisone, but the side effects really suck. Talk about weight gain!!

Bruce

[Anonymous December 28, 1996 at 9:16 am Post count: 93172]

#1168610

Dawna,
I sure understand your frustration with prednisone. I was on it for
years. First low doses as needed then up to 120 day for months.
It is very powerful. It will keep you alive or horrid symptoms in check.
I did not get cataracs but lots of other bad stuff can happen. Watch out
for: involuntary and frequent deforming cramping of the hands and feet (you may look
horribly distorted and yep, it is excruciating), chest cramping (you’ll
probably think you had a heart attack), acne, bloating, teeth sensitivity
to the slightest cold (drink all liquids thrkough a straw), weight gain (a lovely
side effect if you are hypo-thyroid), heart problems, long term calcium loss, increased blood sugar,
poor wound healing, and more. Did you know this? This is not meant to be funny.
It is realistic if you are on high doses.

Now for the good news. It will keep you alive or with vision or whatever symptom
greatly lessened than without it. It can be a life saver. But yeah, get off as
soon as the MDs permit. It must be done gradually as you know. If your doctor says
you need it in the future-don’t say no now. It could meant the diffetween something
very bad and survival. Good luck. You can make it!

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