[Anonymous]

#1076491

Yes, a change in your medication could account for the TSH change. It is also possible that your degree of hyperness went down. Nobody can say for sure — you just need to be careful to be checked periodically to make sure what is going on. The drug you are on interferes with the production of some thyroid hormone, but does not affect the cause (the antibodies) of the hyperthyroid condition. So adjustments from time to time are to be expected.

As to not feeling well yet: just getting “to” a normal level of thyroid hormone does not make us feel instantly better. We need time at normal levels for the body to heal from the problems caused by too much thyroid hormone. My GP at the time I got ill told me that in her experience, it took patients a good 9 months to feel normal again. An endocrinologist that spoke at one of our conferences told us to think in terms of a hurricane. Being hyperthyroid is, to the body, like hurricane winds are to a town. Just because the wind is now gone, it does not mean that everything is instantly back in order. No, it takes time to rebuild.

When I was experiencing the early changes of TED I went to a local department store’s make up section and asked the ladies there for help. Well, actually what I did was ask for “industrial strength” eye make-up, which had them laughing madly. They tried, but I was never completely satisfied with the results. I suspect it would have been impossible to completely normalize my appearance at that point in time. But you could try doing the same. It might simply have been the brand I tried (and no, I don’t remember) that didn’t work optimally. One thing I will pass on that I think is important. I noticed that when I smiled, I looked better, even with the puffy, mauve-ish colored skin around my eyes. This observation made me more willing to just be “normal” with my friends, and to laugh and smile. I knew that I looked my “best” then, even if the best wasn’t what it used to be. You might try smiling in a mirror and see if you, too, look better with a smile. The added advantage seemed to me that smiling generally made me feel better, too.

I know this is a tough, tough time. Hang in there. It does get better over time.

Bobbi — NGDF Online Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1076492

Hi Nina

I’m so glad that we could help you in some way. When I finally found this bulletin board, it gave me so much support and knowledge. Just the fact to be able to comminucate with other people who was going through the same thing I was meant so much to me.

Like Bobbie said about the make up to ask for help at the make up counter. You could try different types of make up and even ask for a make over to see how you would look. I do not have TED for it is always difficult to answer questions about it since I don’t have the first hand experience dealing with it. I would think though to get a good concealer if you have dark circles under your eyes. If you use a little eye cream on the area first it doesn’t show the wrinkles more. I would also think if you use mascrea to get one that is for allergies since you need to be careful of your eyes.

Then if this hasn’t been mentioned to you before, raise the head of your bed to help with swelling. Also using a bag of frozen peas to use as a compress on your eyes in the morning. Label the peas that you use for your eyes so you won’t use them to cook with. Peas work very well because they will adjust to your eyes and nose and be more comfortable.

I can understand that you don’t feel well. I think it took me about a year to feel better and that was the time after my thyroid had settled down and we found a dose that worked with that. I had RAI so the medicine I’m refering to is the thyroid replacement drug which is not what you are on. I get my levels now checked every 6 months and we do sometimes need to adjust my med.

I hope I could help you in some way.

Diane B On-Line Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1076493

Nina,

I too am experiencing the difficulty with TED and how to choose the best makeup. I found a couple of things help. Light eye shadow makes the eyes more pronounced and darker shadow makes it less. I have always worn light shadow and now have switched to a darker shadow. It seems to make the swelling not so pronounced on my lids. I also wear glasses and one particular pair has no rims and the frames hit right at the ‘bag’ lines under my eyes. It really hides the puffy bags under my eyes.

I too have gone to the makeup counter for assistance and they have really good concealers.

I guess when you put it all together, I probably don’t look that much better, but I know that every little bit I do makes me feel better.

Take Care!

Cindy

[Anonymous]

#1020246

Dear Ski, Bobbie, Diane, and fellow members,
Thanks so much for the bulletin board; I find the information most helpful. This will be my first holiday season with TED. Initially it was only my left eye that was affected, but now it is the right eye also. I feel very self conscious and am confused. My last TSH level was over 2.0 which the endocrinologist said was normal. I’m puzzled that it can risen from 0.02 to over 2.0 in only about 5 weeks with just a slight increase in my Tapazole. I had been taking 5.0 mg one day and 2.5 the next, etc. Since late September the MD advised me to take 5.0 mg q day which I did. Could this slight increase in my med cause such a significant increase in my TSH? I really don’t feel much better. I’m grateful that I don’t seem to have some of the other symptoms of Graves’ Disease at this point. I’m 66 years old and still trying to work part-time, but this is becoming more difficult not that both eyes are affected. Eye drops don’t help— only the lubricating eye gel. I’ll be seeing my opthalmologist in early December
Are there any eye make up tips that anyone has that would minimize the appearance of my eyes — IE the redness, swelling, etc.
Thanks so much for reading my message. Nina

[Anonymous]

#1076494

All Right Bobbie or Diane,

Can you remember which conference we had that included a session with a make up artest. She showed the women and men tips to using makeup to cover or hide the proptosis. I will try to find the information on the session.

Jake
On-line Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1076495

I remember that conference well and I did attend the make up session. It was the conference that was in Reno. I was going to look up my notes also.

Diane B On-Line Facilitator

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