[Anonymous December 2, 1996 at 9:37 pm Post count: 93172]

#1167342

SAS

Since you’re out here on the west coast (I’m in S. Cal) I wanted to let you know that Stanford University Medical Center is very well know for all the work they do with the orbital Irradiation. At one point my doctors were considering giving me a second dose of it, and they would have sent me to Stanford for that.

Bruce

[Anonymous December 3, 1996 at 1:17 am Post count: 93172]

#1057947

Just got back to the group. No time on weekend. Thanks BRUCE – will probably end up with orbital Radiation but hoping to wait until after Christmas. Used a couple of tips from you people that has helped over the weekend. Sleeping with head elevated and covering eyes. I also find one gravol pill about an hour before bed really helps. Dr. said find, not addictive and does help. I don’t know how to find your E-Mail?? JOE – RAI helped me with no side effects for a year – now the eyes are bad. CLAUDIA – You made me laugh again. Thanks. DEBBIE – My doctor recommended Duolube cream. Not too expensive. Has helped. That is as far as I have got on the comments. I have to go and make dinner here on the West Coast. Bye for now. SAS

[Anonymous December 5, 1996 at 11:22 pm Post count: 93172]

#1167343

Is there any way to know how bad your eyes are going to get ? Do the eye problems have anything to do with age, sex or physical condition ? Is is different for everyone ? If the eye problems start how soon do you get to the opthamalogist ? I’m starting to get really concerned.

Joe

[Anonymous December 6, 1996 at 12:20 am Post count: 93172]

#1167344

Howdy Joe-

No telling how the eye disease can go for any individual. I had it quite bad although that is relatively rare.

How bad it gets does not seems to matter in regard to physical condition, etc. I had a very conciencious diet and in terrific physical shape being an avid rock climber. The only thing I have heard is that smoking can agravate the eye condition, or the thyroid for that matter.

Don’t be too concerned about it, chances are good you won’t have major problems. Do see an ophthalmologist if you have any thoughts that you are having eye discomfort. They can track the condition of your eyes. I waited too long myself and have some nerve damage.

Let me know if I can be of assistance.

Bruce

[Anonymous December 6, 1996 at 9:38 am Post count: 93172]

#1167345

Hi Joe,

At the time I was diagnosed with GD, my doctor wanted to refer me to an
ophthalmologist to get a “base line”. The only symptoms I am (was) having
is dry eyes and a perceived sensitivity to light. I saw the eye doc last Wed.
and he said there is no way from an exam to predict GD eye involvement
prior to symptoms. Also, the eye involvement is the exception, not the rule.
For the dry eyes, he gave me a sample of some great stuff by Bausch & Lomb
called, Dry Eye Therapy, Preservative Free. It’s .3% glycerin and you can see
through it just great. You can by it over the counter. Probably everyone else
is already using it, but I’m new to Graves’ and all of this.
I had RAI a week from last Wed. and I “think” I’m feeling better already.
For me, I liked the remission numbers for this treatment over medication. I was
nervous also about offing my thyroid and being dependent on a pill. However,
at my age (49) I am already used to the idea of having glands that don’t function
anymore and as far as taking a pill everyday for the rest of my life if and when
I do go hypothyroid, well big deal, I thought. I have been taking a vitamin
everyday all my life and I don’t feel tied to the vitie. Swallowing 2 pills instead
of one is easy. Anyway, that was my rationalization. But as Jake and Bruce
state often, everyone’s situation is different (age, overall health, sex, lifestyle, etc).
Anyway, you might ask your doc about a referral to an ophthalmologist for a base
line exam. That way, if there are symptoms, changes, etc. they can measure
% and rate. Everything is compared to what, right? Good luck and I hope I have
been of some help. I know for me, it was good to hear about other’s thought
processes. Claudia

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