[GDRobM]

#1019795

Hi, I have a quick question, I have minor TED and it is stable. I have noticed that at the moment my eyes are slightly more buggy than usual. I was wondering whether or not it may be to do with the temperature. Currently where I live it is 46 degrees celcius, about 115 F. So it is very hot and dry and has been for a few days and will be for about another week. I am also seeing my endo tomorrow, so I will ask him, just wondering anyone else’s experience?
Thanks
Rob

[DianneW]

#1074085

Rob, I see you didn’t get a response from anyone. I am curious what reply you got from your endo on this? I know that there are definitely changes in the degree of my proptosis (even following decompression), but haven’t figured out a particular pattern.

[malia]

#1074086

I wonder about the temp and eye symptoms too – and muscle fatigue for that matter. I am in a SUPER cold climate and the nasty weather seems to be irritating my physical pain symptoms. Any word from the Endo? Thinking I need to live in Hawaii ” title=”Wink” />

[GDRobM]

#1074087

Hi Dianne and malia,

I spoke with my endo about this yesterday and he also mearured my eyes. There was no change in the protrusion of my eyes which has been stable and very mild. He thought that the heat was an issue that was to do with the amount of tears I produce and that the hot air would make my eyes more irritated and swollen. He suggested liquid tear drops, which I tried, and it has helped a bit. Unfortunately our weather forcast has remained hot and will do for another week and its also windy, so walking down the street is like holding a hair dryer on your eyes. So if the air ever gets below 35 C again (It has been well above 44C all week) I will see if there is an improvement. Otherwise I will see my eye specialist! I spoke with a friend of mine who also has GD and he is also having the same issue with his eyes. Also, maybe everyone in my city is having the issue!

I have not found a pattern with my eyes, sometimes they feel and look more protruded than other times. I find that if it’s hot, or I am tired, it is worse. Although, when I travel to a very humod place that is also hot, my eyes feel a bit better.

Cheers
Rob

[Jake_George]

#1074088

Rob,

When we use the eye drops they provide a great deal of help. One thing my doctor told me that made sense was to use the drops everyday. How well you use the drops today will depend on how well your eyes will feel tomorrow. A problem is when our eyes fell good we do not use the drops.

So use them on day one, on day two they feel good so we do not use them. On day three they hurt or are dry. That is because we did not use the drops on day two. Using them every day will help with the dryness and help to keep your eyes feeling better. A side benifit is that the daily use of drops help to keep the cornea wet and prevents problems.

I am not sure why temperature would change how buggy they feel of look to you. But if they are dry it can cause swelling.

Use them drops and watch for your eyes to feel better in the long run.

[GDRobM]

#1074089

Thanks Jake, will try that.
regards
Rob

[npatterson]

#1074090

Dear Rob,

Where in Australia do you live? That’s HOT! There are two Australian Thryoid Foundations, and one of our medical advisors is down there..
Absolutely, you need to be using artificial tears as often as possible. Anything you can do to keep the sun and wind out of your eyes is important as well. Wearing sunglasses (the kind that wrap around), hats, NOT sitting in front of the air conditioner or fan will all reduce the drying effects of the heat and lack of humidity.
If your eyes are not closing when you sleep, they will be even more dry. You will have to ask someone else to check for you, unless you are waking up with the red stripe across your eyes that shows exactly how much they were open. If that is the case, you will have to figure out how to keep your eyes closed at night. Patches, silicone tape, bandanas, and saran wrap are a few of the solutions. One of the eye ointments will help keepyour eyes lubricated at night.

[GDRobM]

#1074091

Thanks Nancy, Adelaide, South Australia, we seem to be having record temperature highs, personally, I would prefer for us not to have set any records in relation to days above 40C, the weekend is getting cooler, I hope. I have been using liquid tears and regularly now. I am pretty sure that my lids do close at night, and unfortunately don’t have anyone who can tell me that. I don’t recall seeing a red mark, but my glasses are quite thick and I may have missed that on first waking, I will have a look at that one though tomorrow morning. I am sure the weather has a lot to do with this, along with my insistence on riding my bike to work probably (riding in to work early and back late). I will see if it improves a little more when the weather gets a little cooler, 30C and 25C on the weekend.

I have just had an email from thyroid aust Ltd, so I will join that.

Thanks Nancy,
kind regards,
Rob

[GDRobM]

#1074092

Hi, FYI, now that the temperature is significantly cooler, the irritation to my eyes has subsided. Seem to be back at normal now. Eye drops helped a lot in the heatwave.
Thanks
Rob

[Ski]

#1074093

Thanks for letting us know, Rob! That’s interesting. I’m glad Jake’s advice helped in the meantime.

ALSO very glad your heat wave has subsided, phew! ” title=”Very Happy” />

[cathycnm]

#1074094

Rob – I find this interesting – because I am in the middle of a cold winter in Colorado and notice an increase in eye symptoms the last few weeks. But it is the west – where there is 0 humidity and heaters blowing a lot. My post graduate course and the reading are not helping, either. I am also wondering if I am getting more hyper again. I had dropped from 3.8 to 1.3 for my TSH between early Nov and January. I started on replacement in October after RAI.

I have headed the advise and wisdom of this board and decided to stay at my current dose until my next TSH next month so I am not just chasing it – (plus I prefer anything to going hypothyroid while still on beta blockers). I will get my tears back out. Thanks for the reminder. I have missed my visits here – between work and school, I have just not had enough energy. Hmmmm – I am also feeling pretty exhausted again. Perhaps I should get my TSH checked again sooner than the end of March.

Rob – I will be thinking of you in that heat. Wow! Cathy

[DianneW]

#1074095

That heat sounds mighty good to me too (from a snowy February day in Idaho). But the main point is, let’s all remember that a drop of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to remembering our artificial tears (in any weather)!

[Author]

Posts