[Kathy10705]

in reply to: am I psycho need a mental ward…please help #1183699

I am so sorry to read, snelsen (Shirley), about what you have gone through. I guess my questions are, can anyone tell me, can one exhibit these mood symptoms before your labs actually show hyper? Is there any average on how far ahead, as I assume the levels don’t change abruptly? I guess I also wanted to understand, not everyone who is hyper develops Graves’, right? Also what role does menopause play in all this?
Thanks.

[Kathy10705]

in reply to: Double Vision #1183817

Thanks, Liz. I’m one of those who has a really hard time with prednisone. Its been a real struggle. Neither the neurologist nor neuro-ophthalmologist mentioned migraine as being the cause. The neuro-oph believes it is some internal inflammation. I’ll be anxious to hear upon is own review of the MRI if that showed anything. I just had one visit with neuro-oph, so I guess it will unfold. I realize Graves is not intermittent, but I also assumed it didn’t happen overnight. Just been anxious because although this is ‘intermittent’, its now noticeable to me daily. I think the ‘intermittent’ part might have to do with how it presented during the exam? I am fortunate it is not straight ahead, unless its one of those moments I’ve been focused on something close and look up; in that case things can be double, and not just for a moment! From what i know, yes, Graves is most serious than thyroiditis; it’s just that with thyroiditis, you are sort of in a waiting game to see if you become hypo; and some first become hyper. I guess in the meantime I might do some reading on autoimmune in general and how you live with all this, even though I’ve been doing so for years, it just continues to get worse, and that has me down. I’m glad the prednisone was tolerable and so helpful for you! ANd thanks for the comments on the antibodies.

[Kathy10705]

in reply to: Double Vision #1183815

I am new to the forum and mostly I’m concerned about my double vision, which at this point is off to the sides, but closer to center than before. I was diagnosed years ago with fibromyalgia, then Sjorgren’s, then thyroid auto-antibodies were found in 2013 (anti-thyroid perox AB). For several years on and off, have had the double vision to the sides, no one could say why. I mentioned to the neurologist (migraines) that it was worse in Feb., it was constant and more towards center, and he ran blood tests for myasthenia gravis antibodies-negative (although one measure 9)? Then he referred me to neuro-ophthalmology. In meantime at follow up with rheumatology in April, they decided to put me on low dose prednisone for Sjorgren’s flare and send me for an MRI (negative). Next, neuro-ophthalmology said I had alternating intermittent esotropia in both eyes. Agreed with prednisone although felt the dose was low and said he would review the MRI. I go back in a couple weeks. He didn’t give me much info except I was sad to learn that he feels there is inflammation in my body (not the Sjogren’s) causing this double vision, and mentioned MG or thyroid, since I guess I have thyroiditis (antibodies). First, just feeling sad and at first, downright depressed about another autoimmune (of some type!) coming down the pike, and what does the future hold. Not been happy with my endocrinologist who I see yearly for nodules, etc, no treatment since my labs are “normal”. The neuro-ophthalmologist gave me more info than endo saying there are more than one antibody against the thyroid and they can fluctuate (this when I said endo told me I never need any antibody tests again because once they are there, they are there). I was surprised the neuro-ophthal didn’t send me right away for any labs either (to re-check thyroid). Even a tiny dose of prednisone is making me nervous and irritable, almost cannot tolerate it. Thoughts are racing. All of this gets overwhelming especially because auto-immunity can be vague. I have wondered from time to time why I feel so intolerably nervous, anxious, poor sleep yet my thyroid is normal, and I wondered if have “just” thyroiditis, (auto-antibodies) can it cause you to feel bad or fluctuate from “hyper” to “hypo” in the way you feel and the way your body functions? Endo says no. But those antibodies must be doing SOMETHING. It is also exhausting advocating for yourself and seeing several physicians, and juggling your meds and all of it, and this is at a major teaching hospital. I am sorry to read that you all are having much worse problems with your vision. It must be very scary. I don’t know where I am headed. Does this take years to develop, I don’t know! Thanks for listening. I guess if anyone has any thoughts or encouragement?….Thanks.

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