[Andros]

in reply to: EYES #1068379

hyperm wrote:Ok so I know lots of people on here are unfortunate to have problems with their eyes. ” title=”Sad” /> I have had all the gritty, teary eyes years ago. However, for the last 9 months I have had like a feeling that things are hazy in front of me and sometimes I really need to focus to see. Another way to put it is if there is subtitles on the TV I really need to strain to read them but can read a book ok although sometimes the words kinda dance on the page. ” title=”Confused” />

I had an eye test about 7 months ago and have 20/20 vision. Do you think this GD related or in general just fatigue? Should I mention it to my surgeon and ask for a referral to see someone else?

Thanks again friends xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I most definitely agree w/ elf. Please see a Board Certified Ophthalmologist. There is much to be done to stave off the progression of GED (Graves’ Eye Disease) and as elf has pointed out, a baseline is essential.

Lu Anne

[Andros]

in reply to: 6 weeks post RAI and all better?!? #1068393

runlacie wrote:Just want to check in and say I think I’m better or very, very close. My one month labs T3 and T4 were both normal, TSH still nonexistent, but that’s expected. At one month, I was still having periods where I would feel hyper. Not anymore. I can run again- ran 7 miles yesterday and 4 today with no troubles and my heart is behaving. Resting heart rate is back to where it was before I got sick. I have gained TEN POUNDS since my sick weight – so now I need to lose 5 to get back to pre-Graves’ weight. I’m on the lookout for hypo symptoms as I expect they may be just around the next bend – but right now I feel GREAT!

This is such wonderful glorious news! I hope you are in a holding pattern. Lu Anne

[Andros]

in reply to: Now My Eyes! #1068357

kaicee118 wrote:Some of you may remember that I had my thyroid removed back in May. I’ve been feeling better overall since then. However, I have developed more serious issues with my eyes and it’s very frustrating.

Since mid-July, I’ve developed a "vertical" double vision – that is, I see one image above or below the real image. It’s only when my eyes get tired, ie at work, at the computer, reading, etc. I just had a CT scan done, and there have been changes to the muscle in my right eye since January. I have an appointment to see the occuplastics guy, but not until September 30th. I also have more ptosis (yes, ptosis, not proptosis, although the CT scan says they see evidence of proptosis), grittiness, watery eyes, etc.

I’m very nervous. How does this get better? Even if the eye disease is self-limiting, will the muscles go back to the way they’re supposed to be? Is surgery likely? I really hate having this double vision! Also, it’s limiting my reading, and I adore reading! Anyone have any advice, or can you tell me something about your eyes and how you resolved it?

Thanks in advance.

Karen

Hi, Karen. It has been my observation that one should not have corrective surgery until the antibodies have quit infiltrating the orbits. Many who have had surgeries prior to that find very disappointing results and also many have had to go through the surgeries all over again. I must tell you that the orbits are very delicate places and can only take so much of this before surgical damage becomes permanent so do think long and hard about this.

In the meantime, talk to your ophthalmologist about prisms to correct the double vision.

Lu Anne

[Andros]

in reply to: Make up and eye question #1068493

bradybunch6x1 wrote:I have TED but it is no longer active, but I was wondering if anyone else has the same problem with make-up as I do now. I can’t put on any base that is liquid, or eye shadow, or eye liner, without it causing my eyes to water, and burn, and turn bright red! I haven’t been able to wear any of this makeup since the TED started about 4 years ago. I can wear a base that is powder, but it is the only one I have found, and then I actually can’t get it any were near my eyes. I have never had any other problems before the TED, and have tried the hypoalergenic type of makeup….to find the only makeup I can wear is the powder, blush, lipstick,or lip gloss.
Valarie

Valarie………..I hope you fare better than I. My make-up days have been over for a very very long time. No matter what I have tried, like yourself, my eyes burn, water and turn red. That also includes moisturizers for the face. It is a conundrum to be sure.

Lu Anne

[Andros]

in reply to: Gutted and fed up :( #1068486

hyperm wrote:Hey sorry I haven’ t been on for the weigh in my hubby is away with my lap top and I couldn’t remember my password! But got on today hurray!

Ok….Lost sight of which round it is for me. I have vocal nerve damage and am devastated ” title=”Sad” /> My voice sounds awful and I am stuck with it. However, I am alive and can be a mum to my kids.

My GP called at 6pm tonight my TFT from Monday wasn’t good and my TSH is 18.8 so she has upped my thyroxine from 75mcg to 100mcg.. Is that enough do you think? I asked her if I should contact my endo or surgeon but she said not to worry as she has seen it alot worse.

I am back to being scared and very frustrated!

xxxx

Well, let’s hope and pray that as time marches forth the vocal cords will continue to heal. I have seen that happen so keep the faith. Slow is best when titrating thyroxine and it also a good idea to lab every 8 weeks for this process to be done properly.

Sending hugs, Lu Anne

[Andros]

in reply to: Grand mal seizure #1068530

Yes, Graves’/Hyperthyroid can lend it’s self to many neurological symptoms. I had Myoclonic Seizures. Lu Anne

[Andros]

in reply to: Adipex P and Metformin – Help #1068511

redsie2 wrote:Hello,

My doctor recently started me on 37.5 mg of Adipex P for weight loss. I gained alot of weight since having the i131 radiation pill and becoming hypothyroid. I tried working out, swimming, and dieting and nothing seemed to work. I am also taking 1000 mg a day of metformin and synthroid. Has anybody else taken Adipex p :” title=”Question” /> I seem to be getting really bad headaches and I was wondering if these would go away in a few days or not.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Thank you.

Colette

Hi, Colette. How much Synthroid are you taking, how long have you been taking it and what do your last labs look like? (TSH, FT3, FT4)

I am wondering if taking Adipex P and Metformin is a bit much because if you are on a sensible diet, the Metformin should enable you to lose some weight. It is also very important for your TSH to be at just the "right place" for you for weight loss.

Insulin requirements in diabetes mellitus may be altered in association with the use of Adipex P . So I worry as I don’t see that as being a good combo w/ the Metformin. How high is your glucose by the way?

Lu Anne

[Andros]

in reply to: Need Help!! #1068500

Michael………..as you already sense; this is not a good thing. I am sorry this is happening. It is entirely possible for the Graves’ Disease patient to have severe emotional problems and even become psychotic.

In my personal case, I sought counseling from a Christian Psychologist while I was recovering from being treated for Graves’. It was the best 2 years of my life and money well spent.

You and your wife may also wish to consider a more permanent treatment, that being either ablation or RAI. Each one of us is so different. Therefore we don’t all respond the same to the treatment modalities offered.

I do hope you are making your wife’s doctor aware of what is going on?

There is no question but that we all will remain concerned so please stay in touch and let us know!

Keeping you and your family in prayer, Lu Anne

[Andros]

in reply to: Im a new diagnosis and dont know how to pay for treatment #1068563

joseph15355 wrote:Any suggestions on how i might pay for this would be greatly appreciated. THANK YOU ” title=”Sad” />Im a little lost at the moment so forgive my lack of words.(PS-I live in Northeast WA State)

When I was diagnosed, hubby and I did not have insurance and we had to do a "lot" of negotiating. We were mostly successful.

If your income is below a certain level, you may qualify for some sort of temporary state or federal aid.

I am so sorry for this. Lu Anne

[Andros]

in reply to: Heart damage? #1068553

joseph15355 wrote:I have been recently diagnosed(This week),the doctor is concerned about my heart(its at around 110 per. min. and the beta blockers can only bring it down to 80 so far). Does anyone know if this can cause permanent heart damage??? I hate to say it but it feels "hurt" to me.

Gee, I am so sorry to hear this. And, yes……………your heart can be damaged. I pray not but as another poster has suggested, please talk to your doctor about this in-depth. At least you are on Beta-blockers. When I was diagnosed, I was not put on Beta-blockers and I do have mitral valve regurgitation (to me, that is the same as prolapse; not sure what the distinction might be.)

So, take care of yourself and no heavy duty marathon type exercise. Talk to your doc about this also. I believe only mild exercise is recommended such as walking.

Lu Anne

[Andros]

in reply to: back after being shut out a few years ago. #1068577

masudu wrote:You are certainly an inspiration!!

I have always been a firm Weight Watchers believer because it is "real" food. There are things I have done for years, i.e., skin off chicken before cooking and breast meat… I am such a picky eater that I tend to eat only foods I like and sometimes it gets old. Not one for the fad diets..I eat way more chicken than I used to as I was always a beef eater. I am not a big fish eater but do eat it sometimes. I still have the WW philosophy that you can eat anything as long as in moderation. I am not sure I could do it as well as you have. I am a carb person but really do limit them.. it is just very hard for me. Living in Alaska fish is plentiful but I do not care for salmon. I do not feel like I have eaten anything…

Thank you for your support and I will keep you posted…

Thanks, Mary

Mary…….we can work on this together plus there is a thread on here the "girls" just started for weight loss. I will leave you with this thought, "Any diet works as long as you stay on it!" And no matter what the diet, calories in and calories expended are the most important thing. So, count those calories.

Wow, Alaska!! Beautiful and gorgeous country. I have never been but always have wanted to. Lu Anne

[Andros]

in reply to: 13 y/o w/Hashimoto’s, but hyper and symptomatic #1070647

carla wrote:Yes, we are very, very lucky, although the 5 weeks wait before a diagnosis seemed like years at the time. I think that the fact that her levels were toxic and I was rung up and told to get her to the hospital in the next town asap because the lab staff and her local doctor were in such a state helped!!!! We then had to wait 2 weeks to see an ophthalmologist and a paediatric endorcinologist. Luckily, very luckily for us, the local paed confers with the endo. guy at every single visit (phone call). My daughter also has weekly blood levels done which include the antibodies and hromaone levels and also liver function tests (because of the high dose steroids she is on). One of the best things that happened for us was that the principal of our school spoke to all the year 8 children in my daughers year group and told them all about Graves disease, Thyroid eye disease and the effect of steroids (weight gain, mood swings, etc.), everyone has been so supportive since then and the horrible comments about big eyes and a fat face all stopped. In fact, we even had some text messages with apologies for some comments that had been a bit harsh before this. Now it is all out in the open, we are learning together and her fellow students don’t hesitate to come and speak to her or I about her condition which is great.

Carla…………..that is it; that long fine needle. I am glad to hear that she had the FNA (fine needle aspiration) for I feel it is important to know these things "Definitively!"

Lu Anne

[Andros]

in reply to: back after being shut out a few years ago. #1068575

I have found for myself that eliminating "all" simple carbs from my diet which would mostly be things made out of flour and sugar ( I am also gluten intolerant), that I can manage my weight well. I do exercise a lot and we eat nothing that is ready prepared. All our meals are basic fresh ingredients.

Lots of veggies, small portions of meat, fish or fowl and a couple of servings of fruit per day. No artificial sweeteners or sugar. It’s a very basic diet. And I never binge. It is a life-time diet. I eat lots of rice and lots of potatoes; believe that or not. But, no frills. No gravies, no butter or margerine, limited dairy

I am also 5’4′. During the throes of my GD and having been on Prednisone for nearly a year, I was 225 lbs.. Aaaaaaaaaaaargh. It was horrible. I am now 149 and very very fit for a 67 year old woman. I do at least 4 miles cardio every day, lift weights 4 mornings a week and am quite active outside of the gym as well.

It was very very hard to lose all that weight and I promised myself I would never ever put it back on. As I stated before, I am only sharing w/ you what works for me. I am no more special than you are or anybody else. I was just determined and I do have an awesome doctor who was and remains willing to keep me in the euthryoid state by constant monitoring of labs and titration of thyroxine when and if necessary .

And may I add that no 2 persons respond in the same manner. Try to find out what "really" works for you and stick to it. We are all here to offer you the support you need if you need it.

Lu Anne

[Andros]

in reply to: back after being shut out a few years ago. #1068573

Hi, Masadu! What kind of diet are you on? Have you been tested for insulin resistance?

Sharing my experience with you here; I have found that consistancy is of the utmost importance. If you are exercising, you must make that your life-style so that your Armour can be titrated according to your "consistant" needs.

I too have had trouble getting my Armour and what I did get I am not sure if it is the old formula or the new one. No matter for I lab consistantly also and if need be, my doc will titrate my Armour as needed either up or down.

If I can help you, I will. I am new here but I have to tell you there are some really great folks here! Glad you found your way back.

Lu Anne

[Andros]

in reply to: New to Grave’s Diagnoses #1068601

I think Ski has covered all the bases. I just wanted to comment on the emotional component of not sleeping. I believe in my own case that I eventually could not sleep by rote. In other words, it became part of my life-style of jumping up and down from the bed all night long.

It took some time and the proper level of thyroxine replacement but I eventually calmed down and slept. And……….much to my surprise, I reached the REM stage and finally started have dreams again!! They were missing in action all those years during untreated hyperthyroid/Graves’!

How about you? Do you still have dreams or no?

Lu Anne

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