[Anonymous]

#1140586

I would also like to thank everyone for the replies regarding the puffiness. I also experience the same problem and already do stay away from the salty foods. I have noticed that they have been more puffy since I started taking the meds. Thanks again.

Lori L.

[Anonymous]

#1046480

thanks for all the tips, guys. I’m going to try several and increase the water and ditch the diuretics. they pretty much have been little more than a crutch.

[Anonymous]

#1140587

Hi, Gang…

Just wanted to know what anyone else does when their eyes are swollen, or puffy (I’m not really sure what they are). I thought – maybe – my eyes got puffy because of a sinus infection; my MD says I didn’t have one even though I seemed to have all the symptoms. My eyes are watery and seem “tired” most of the time; I’ve been using Visine “Tears” 2-3 times a day. I’ve also have been putting cold compresses which feel good and seem to help for a little while. Anyone out there have any other suggestions? I go tomorrow (8/28) to my endo and I hope she can shed some light.

Thanks.

Rosie

[Anonymous]

#1140588

Puffy eyes can be a symptom of a lot of different problems, so it’s hard to say. Mine puffed up like tangerines when I went hypothyroid after RAI. But TED can cause some puffiness, too.

As far as the eyes watering goes, Graves affects the chemical composition of our tears somehow, making them less effective at lubricating the eye. My eyes water a lot, since getting Graves. The type of eye drops we take though should be the “artificial tears” type, not the “get the red out” type. There is a difference, and it is, apparently, important. So talk with your pharmacist about which drops you should be taking.

And if you are not seeing an ophthomologist, you should. Endos cannot, and do not, treat our eyes. So if you want eye help, specifically, see an ophtho.

Bobbi — NGDF Asst. Online Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1140589

Bobbie:

Thanks for the feed back. I have been seeing an eye doctor because I have double vision, which is a joy, and need prisms. And, I wear glasses, anyway. And, I do use artificial tears. I was wondering if there was anything that can be done to relieve the puffiness. I hate the way I look. Especially with all this weight gain.

rosie

[Anonymous]

#1140590

Hi, Rosie.

I wish I could give you some clues for how to deal with the puffiness, but I don’t know of any surefire technique, and some of it simply does not go away without cosmetic surgery. It depends upon what is causing the puffiness, for one thing. If you have double vision, then your puffiness might be like mine, and my mom’s. Because the muscles of the eyes have gotten thicker, due to the antibody attack, they are pushing the eyes outward a bit. There is a fatty layer of skin in the upper eyelids, and when the eyes push, even slightly, outward, that fatty layer is pushed out, giving us a puffy look. I do know that my own puffiness got better once the antibody attack on my eyes waned. The puffiness did not go away completely, but it did improve. You can try sleeping with the head of your bed elevated (put bricks or something under the head of the bed.) This helps eliminate the early morning swelling that we sometimes see. Other than that, I’ve used buckwheat eye pillows, that I keep in the freezer, to help alleviate any ADDITIONAL puffiness that might have resulted from too late a night, etc. If nothing else, it FEELS good to lie down and put that cool pillow over my eyes. The other thing I did was go into the cosmetic section of a local department store, and get the women who work there to give me tips on using make-up to help camouflage the problem. I call it my “industrial-strength” eye makeup.

I’m sorry I cannot be of more help,
Bobbi — NGDF Asst. Online Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1140591

Hi,

I also would wake up with very puffy eyes. I went to see the
opthomologist.(2nd visit) He concurred that my eyes were showing
signs of a Thyroid not under control. I had some double
visions. I also had a slight lid retraction. I needed shaded eyeglasses. I preferred darkened areas instead of well lit ones. Anyway, the Opthomolgist assurred me that my
that the puffiness and rings would go away as soon as my Thyroid was under control.

In the meantime I used Artificial tears (not visine) regularly. i
I purchased some eye cream that I kept refrigerated and used as
soon as I walked in the door at night. I had an RAI and most of the eye problems disappeared. I still have a very slight lid retraction.

It’s about nine months since the RAI and I am doing well.
My thyroid numbers are well within normal and I am not on anything
Not even the “S” pill.

I hope your case is as easy…

vicki

[Author]

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