[Anonymous November 14, 1996 at 12:14 pm Post count: 93172]

#1167965

Hi Shana!

Know what you mean about being self concious. All the women used to look at me and now I’d rather hide. (age may have something to do with it now too!! )

Have you been to Dianne’s page yet? I forget the URL but it is somewhere on the board here (Dianne, put it on again please). Feel free to laugh at our eyes on her page! Better yet, get a picture of your eyes, scan it and send it to Dianne ( deecee@micron.net )

After a couple of years my eyes have gotten much better. The little problems that are left, surgery can pretty much take care of.

I’m full of Graves’ eye info, just ask.

Bruce

[Anonymous November 14, 1996 at 12:20 pm Post count: 93172]

#1167966

Hi Shana!
I really know how you are feeling right now. I currently taking an acting class that I love so much. It’s really hard for me as well because i see pictures of myself before this disease and think, “My god, i look so different!” My eyes were my best feature too and it was hard for me to take this class because of what my eyes look like now and I said —screw it, I’m going to fight this thing. I’m too young for this to happen to me and I’m not going to let it bogg me down. I have to believe that we can all get better. All I’m doing at this time is trying to eat right, meditate, not stress at my job, and take my medication. It’s so hard for me because the only person I can actually confide to is myself – not my boyfriend, not my parents—-because they don’t fully understand. And you have to understand, I am the most self-conscious person and did not want to see anyone or even look at myself. It was so hard for me to socialize but i did it and now I’m over it because I’m SO determined to make my self better. I’m making an appointment to see an eye doctor and see what my options are on my eyes. I don’t have any vision problems but want my eyes to be normal again.

I read your message and thought, this person is going through what i’m going through. How long have you had GD? How bad are your eyes —as far as any vision problems or are they bulging? Have you been seeing a doctor regularly?

Concerned,

Susan

[Anonymous November 14, 1996 at 12:42 pm Post count: 93172]

#1167967

Shana,I know exactly how you feel. I wasn’t a model, but I looked OK. Now my eyes bug out, I;m losing hair and my sight is getting worse. I just keep trying to think that there is light at the end of the tunnel. It will either get better or I can do something to make it a little better. The waiting is what’s hard. Knowing I could go through this for years before I can do something. But, it’s what we were dealt. Hang in there KarenG

[Anonymous November 14, 1996 at 4:59 pm Post count: 93172]

#1058209

Bef ore I developed graves I had everything going for me,I was a model, my looks wer e very impor tant n ow I feel so gross. My self esteem is like zero,I get very depressed. My eyes were my best feature, not anymore. I have problems with hair loss,also my skins got a mind of it”s own.Sometimes I can’t even look at myself in the mirror.I don’t socialize much because Im so self conious I’ve seen psychologist given medication for depression and anxiety,many nights I can’t sleep.Graves is a terrible disease,it,s changed my life completely. I really can’t see a light at the end of this tunnel.Anyway thanks for listening.

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