[Anonymous June 5, 1997 at 11:21 am Post count: 93172]

#1055471

Hi,
I was diagnosed with Graves Disease just over three years
ago and treated with RAI (a particularly big dose as I had
one of the biggest Graves goiters my endo had ever seen!)

When I became hypo I wa put on Synthroid and I’ve since bee
pretty good health once the appropriate dose was established.
But recently I’ve had a couple of synptoms
that have been been bothering me. If you’re a Graves expert
(self-appointed is fine!), I’d really appreciate your
advice:

1) Once again I’m itchy, itchy. I’m treating this with
OTC 1 per cent hydrocortisone. Pre-Graves treatment my endo
used to prescribe stronger hydrocortisones and anti-
histamines like Benadryl. Would this help me again (given
that theoretically I am “cured”)

2) More disturbingly I’ve noticed that I’m troubled by
double vision at times. Sometimes I catch myself closing
one eye when I’m reading up close and if I have to look at
several objects in the distance, I get confused trying to
figure out what is reality. (Pre-treatment I had similar
problems with vision but it cleared up spontaneously).
Does this sound like a manifestation of Graves? I’m currently
a little stressed (I’m out of work) so I wonder if it
could just be a stress-related condition?

3) Would the likelihood of my developing eye problems
be linked to the fact that I had had to take a specially
large dose of RAI?

4) Assuming the double vision doesn’t go away — and I
should probably mention that it is only sporadic — what
treatment is available? Is surgery usually only advised in
serious cases?

Thank you for your help.

Suzanne

Than

medication help me again?

[Anonymous June 9, 1997 at 7:28 pm Post count: 93172]

#1161067

Suzanne, I developed double vision six months after my Graves Disease was treated.
It began intermittently,and then more often and then regularly. It has
not been easy and I have had three eye surgeries and 3 injections of
botulinum toxin, designed to work on the muscles of the eye.
Who have you been to specifically about the double vision? Have you
seen a neuro-opthalmologist? (Usually at a teaching hospital). Did you
have thyroid storm? The doctor who performed surgery on me and who uses
botulinum toxin,(BT) a “contorversial” approach, says BT works best if
it is used early and can save potential surgeries.
It has been a long road and I don’t want to say more until I know more. You are
welcome to e-mail me. I live in Richmond, Va.
At this point I am doing well, and I hope to keep doing well. But it
is important that you get diagnosed thoroughly now.
Dave

[Author]

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