[Ski]

#1074445

The short answer to this is YES, YES, a thousand times YES!

Eye pain is very common among Graves’ patients ~ for some, the eyes don’t bulge, but the pressure behind them increases, and that definitely causes pain. For other patients whose eyes are bulging, there is usually some kind of discomfort or pain.

Depression is EXTREMELY common in Graves’ patients ~ even more so in patients with Thyroid Eye Disease, because it is such a blow to experience changes in the way we look. It can be chemical, from the thyroid imbalance, AND emotional, from the effects of the eye disease as well as the realization that we have acquired a chronic disease. Some people benefit from anti-depressants, and we should not feel as if we are "weak" if we need them. It is important to keep our spirits up as best we can, because that ripples into so many other parts of our lives ~ it can even postpone healing, because a person who is feeling rotten may not take the best possible care of themselves.

The eye pain is best treated by an ophthalmologist who can evaluate the state of your eyes as well as prescribe things to assist in reducing the swelling or manage the pain.

Depression is complicated, so I would start with your endo. If they don’t feel comfortable figuring that out with you, go back to your primary care physician and see if they can prescribe something or refer you to another doctor. FORGIVE yourself for being depressed. That’s a big one. Pretty much everyone I’ve met through this foundation has "always been the one who does everything," so we can feel especially worthless when we cannot fulfill that role, and we also tend to blame ourselves for being in this condition. It’s NOT your fault, and you have avenues that can help.

If it’s solely chemical, due to thyroid imbalance, you won’t need the antidepressants for long, but they can get you over the hump and help you cope in the meantime.

[friend]

#1019835

Hi,

I am new to the forum and was wondering if anyone else experienced severe pain in their eyes with Graves disease and major depression?

[cathycnm]

#1074446

Ski and Friend – I remember reading in one article that 80% of all patients who went to an endocrinologist for an initial visit were already on some sort of psyc med. Our endocrine system is so linked to our brain’s chemical messengers! 80% of folks think they have mental health issues and that is what is causing the symptoms. No wonder it is now standard to run a TSH before starting someone on antidepressants. I say this because I was convinced I was depressed and anxious from my job when this hit!!! I had no idea. The endos are very use to dealing with these issues!!!

Welcome to our board, Friend!!!! Cathy ” title=”Wink” />

[cathycnm]

#1074447

One more thought – I am a little on the hyper end of normal again. Starting to feel it – staying up late but sleeping forever due to exhaustion. A little more irritable.

Honestly, this feels so much better than hypo did to me. So when my endo offered to back off the replacement – I really said I wanted to give it another 3 months to see. Why – I hate hypo. With a challenging full-time job and graduate school – hyper is better. So, I chuckle when I read Ski’s words – "Pretty much everyone I’ve met through this foundation has "always been the one who does everything". Yes, indeed – that is my job description and my role in my family! It is interesting that I fear hypo more than hyper (none are that great) – I think it is because I can be "myself" more when hyper. Interesting to consider. It is midnight-thirty and I will now go sleep – probably for 10 hours – and that is the cycle.

BTW – My endo mentioned that his older patients do not tolerate the lower-norm TSHs well and because I was "young" (I love this guy for that comment) he would be fine waiting 3 months to back off my thyroid replacement. I found that interesting about the levels. Cathy

[Author]

Posts