[Anonymous February 12, 1997 at 1:14 am Post count: 93172]

#1164915

I had headaches for years that I thought was allergy or sinus trouble
or too much reading and I self medicated for these. Now that I have
Graves Opthalm.
and know of all the associated problems e.g. photosensitivity etc. I
know most of the time that what I think are headaches are actually eye
pains (as an Opthalm. Specialist just last week told me in his “rock-like”
empathetic way – eye troubles do not give you headaches!!!!)
Anyway its worth looking at what you call a headache maybe it is eye pain.
Mine weren’t stress induced either.Hope this helps.
Kathleen.

[Anonymous February 12, 1997 at 4:17 am Post count: 93172]

#1056976

I was just curious to know if most people with GD also suffer
from severe headaches at times?
Ever since I got this disease I can usually tell if I’m hypo or hyper
due to the headaches that I get.
Since there is no Endo where I live I mentioned it to my GP, she
said it is probably stress induced, I’m not certain.
Anyone have some input on this?
Thanks,

Shannon

[Anonymous February 12, 1997 at 9:57 am Post count: 93172]

#1164916

Kathleen I think your right when you associate the eye disease with
headaches. Before I got this disease I was an avid reader, a real
bookworm so to speak:)
Now I find it difficult to read for long periods of time because my
eyes start to hurt, and that I know is one reason for my headaches.

I also find that I cannot stay at the computer for long periods of
time, even with a glare screen, without getting a headache!
I grew up loving books, loving to read. I still do, it just takes me
a little (sometimes alot) longer to get through a certain book.
But knowledge is power, and most of that knowledge comes from books.
Sometimes I think our “specialist” should take out their text and
do a little refresher course

Thanks for your input. All the best,

Shannon.

[Anonymous February 12, 1997 at 7:08 pm Post count: 93172]

#1164917

I began getting severe headaches (they felt like migraines) with the onset of Graves’ Disease – I had never had them like that before.

They got much better after treatment (RAI and then Synthroid), when my TSH levels became normal.

However, they’re getting bad again – and my last blood test shows that I’m getting hyper again.

So… I think the headaches are definitely related to being hyper.

[Anonymous February 12, 1997 at 11:28 pm Post count: 93172]

#1164918

I read someone’s message and I’m relieved to know that I’m not the only
one with bad headaches. I was diagnosed with Grave’s Disease in January
of 96 and had my thyroid destroyed in March of 96. I started getting
migraines when I was 12, but they were never as bad as they are now.
The pain usually starts in my eyes and then I get spots on my eyes to
where I can’t see. The pain usually lasts a few hours. My doctor said
that the headaches are not related to the Grave’s Disease, but I feel
like they are. I also have a hard time focusing when I’m reading, which
I’ve never had before. I would be interested to know if anyone else is
having these problems with headaches and what they’ve done to help.

DeeDee

[Anonymous February 17, 1997 at 8:55 am Post count: 93172]

#1164919

I never had headaches in my life until this past Fall.
I got splitting headaches every morning, unless I took
anti-inflammatories before I went to bed. Then I had
trouble sleeping, and the headaches started coming on
more during the day as well. I had the first few
migraines of my life. Not fun. My period stopped in
September, and I haven’t gotten it since. My sister had
really bad itching, so she went to the doctor and found out
she had Graves. My aunt had Graves 10 years ago. My mom and
grandmother all had thyroid problems as well. I lost about ten
pounds, my resting heart rate was 98, and my muscles stopped working
(they would just tremble when I tried to work out.)

I finally went to the doctor and had a blood test.
I was most definitely hyperthyroid.
As soon as I went on Tapazole, my headaches completely subsided.
Unfortunately, if I try taking ibuprofen for muscle or joint aches (I’m
very athletic), my body doens’t react very well to it. I get
really sweaty and nervous.
So, I don’t really take Ibuprofen anymore, which is probably
better for me anyway (I used to take it a lot).

I FEEL MUCH BETTER NOW, the raging headaches are gone. My endocrinologist
didn’t know that headaches were a symptom of Graves.

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