[hess4kids]

#1058989

Hi, My daughter is 15 years old, a high school freshman, and was diagnosed with Graves’ disease 3 weeks ago today. She is now taking 30mg of Methimazole and 30 mg of Propanol every day. Her resting heart rate was about 103, but is now in the mid 80’s range. She was having a terrible time in school. Went from a 4.3 GPA in all honors classes 1st semester, to 2 F’s two weeks ago. We are working hard to get her grades back up, and her concentration seems to be improving a bit. My question….yesterday my daughter started to complain about her eyes itching like crazy. What can I give her? I tried Visine, but she said that didn’t help at all, and seemed to make her eyes even more dry. She is rubbing them, and says the itching is driving her nuts. I do have an appt with her opthamologist scheduled as a baseline appt. since her Graves’ diagnosis, but it is not until mid May. Any suggestions??

[Bobbi]

#1171402

First off, concentration is a big issue until we regain control of our thyroid levels. Her teachers need to know that she is ill, and that concentration is iffy. I don’t know how to direct you to it, but we have had a helpful pamphlet available, through the main website, that explains some of the education issues that children with Graves face.

Our eyes become very dry. If the itchiness is due to dry eyes, then the best thing to do is get some artificial tears. Visine is not artificial tears. Artificial tears come in a variety of brands and delivery methods. The best — albeit most expensive — way is to get the drops that come preservative free. The preservatives used in some of the drops can become a problem over time. The preservative free type have individual dose packets. Sometimes we need to use these drops very frequently to get helpful results. If it is dry eyes, your daughter will get some relief, and become able to tell when she needs another few drops.

Working at the computer, reading, etc. makes our dry eyes more dry. There is a tendency not to blink as frequently as necessary. So, conciously blinking more can also help.

If here itchy feelings are more generalized as well as in the eyes, then you need to talk with her doctors about the possibility of an allergic reaction to something — particularly a newly started drug. When I take certain types of drugs, I itch — including my eyelashes. If it is an allergic reaction, it will not go away without intervention.

[Kimberly]

#1171403

Hello – Here’s the link that Bobbi mentioned…

(Note on links: if you click directly on the following links, you will need to use your browser’s “back” button to return to the boards after viewing. As an alternative, you can right-click the link and open it in a new tab or new window).

http://www.gdatf.org/about/about-graves-disease/patient-education/students-graves/

Hope this helps!

[Kells1]

#1171404

Has your daughter been checked for thyroid eye disease as itchy eyes is one of the symptoms and she will need to see an eye doc for confirmation and also regular check ups if she does indeed have it. I am sorry to hear that people so young are experiencing thyroid problems, its heartbreaking.

[Author]

Posts