[Anonymous]

#1078100

Hi Alaskamom,

I see your post was interrupted — I’ve done that more times than I can count.

I want to quickly respond while I have a second. TED is caused by antibodies that attack the eye muscles, and yes, there is a direct relationship between stress and the antibodies. When we experience stress, we get a shot of adrenaline, which activates the immune system and “revs it up” to help us fight off any germs we may come into contact with while we are under stress. Since we have antibodies not only to disease but also to our own tissue, this adrenaline will activate the antibodies that are attacking us. ANYTHING you can do to reduce your stress will be a good thing. Do what you can for yourself each day — give yourself a moment over coffee to look out the window, give yourself an hour to have a hot bath, or give yourself a couple of hours to watch a funny movie — and you’ll be glad you did.

~Ski
NGDF Assistant Online Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1020700

I was wondering about…the relationship of active graves TED; and the endocrine system which releases cortisol from the adrenal gland during times of stress. My eyes are like a thermometer swelling up whenever I get stressed out. Is this the adrenalin in my system causing this? I was hyperthyroid and now am on ATD, my blood count is normal the doctors say. I have had a very stressful year…was taking care of my mother w/ alzheimers and recently died 4mos.ago. I was diagnoised w/ Graves opthalmopathy about 19mos. ago. I started having double vision one mo. after my husband was operated on for a hiatal hernia and the doctor totally botched it tearing his stomache and rupturing his spleen.
That was at the same time my symptoms worsened sending me to the doctors
Now I feel like my nerves are shot. Like my whole endocrine system was damaged. Overworked maybe. It dosent handle stress well I can fell the adrenaline or cortisol release into my system at the slightest anxiety. I have had several anxiety attacks over the last several months. I used to have

[Anonymous]

#1078101

I used to do the same thing. When stressed and expecially if I got angry, it felt like my eyes were pulsing. It did get better.
Do try to keep the stress down as much as possible. Take care of you!

[Anonymous]

#1078102

Ok, I’ve been doing pretty darn good, until now. I’ve had the worst past 4 days of stress in my entire life and not sure how to jsut snap out of it and calm down. Racing heart, extremely tired, etc etc. just running me into the ground. My doctor said I cannot increase my Atenolol since I am at the max dosage (100mg) already. Just want to know how to avoid becoming overly stressed, how to deal with things Graves’ related when the stress is unavoidable?
Kim
PS, Welcome Diane! Wasn’t on last 4 days and didn’t see your “new” post.

[Anonymous]

#1078103

Hey Kim,

Thank you for the welcome. I know stress is one of my major problems and I’m taking lots of drugs to try and help release it. I take Lexapro, Xanax, Klonopin. But it’s still there. They say a relaxing bath with some aroma beads in the water and some soft music playing helps some. I’ve tried that but I liked it so much I almost fell asleep. Ha Ha. Good Luck and I hope you are able to get some help quickly.

Diane

[Anonymous]

#1078104

Hi Diane, Yep, I’m on Lexapro and one other and well, they dont help during the stress level I’m in. Oh well, I see my endo again next Monday. Just gets discouraging and worrisome to knwo I shouldnt be this “stressed” out. I may have to treat myself to some aroma tonight though. Nice idea.
Kim

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