[lakeview]

in reply to: Continuing Stomach Problems #1185823

Hello I also have graves disease and have had stomach issues. I have finally been diagnosed with IBS. Knowing this has helped a lot, since I was having pain and lose bowel movements when eating certain foods. I am now on a low fodmap diet (recommended by a dietitian) and it seems to be helping. I am not sure if there is any link between Graves and IBS – but that is my experience.

[lakeview]

in reply to: Can you find out if you have the antibody that causes TED? #1063559

Hi there,
I am and always have been euthyroid – however I have graves eye disease. All my blood tests have come back normal indicating my thyroid gland is not the issue. Finally my endocrinologist did a test for thyroid antibodies and it was not normal. So, it explains that while my thyroid itself is fine but my eyes are not. It was not fun initially working with my GP who did not realize that you can have Graves disease but be euthyroid. it was my Eye specialist who explained that with thyroid antibodies (Graves) many things can be implicated – the eyes, the thyroid and the skin – and who knows what else – for example I had terrible charlie horses and back aches before the onset of my eyes …..
I hope this helps

[lakeview]

in reply to: EYE MUSCLE (STRABISMUS) surgery, post op day zero #1063983

Sounds like things went great – I am so glad to hear it. One thing my eye dr. said was don’t be afraid to use your eyes – I was nervous at first, but it helps to exercise those muscles! Hope your post op goes well
Lakeview

[lakeview]

in reply to: STRABISMUS (Eye Muscle) SURGERY, ANYONE HAD IT LATELY? #1065265

Hello I had strab surgery in June 2010 – The surgery was under general anesthesia and was about 2 hours long. When I awoke, I felt very little pain in my eyes – more in my throat from the tubes for breathing!!.. I spent the morning waking up and then I was taken to the Dr. office where he adjusted the sutures still attached to one eye… slowly he worked with them until I could see well. Honestly, the idea sounds awful, but it didn’t bother me a bit… I was still slightly drugged up and they froze my eye for the process so it was no problem. Believe me the pain with this disease was worse than the surgery.
Afterward I used steroid eye drops for about a week- and was careful not to get dust in my eyes, no water or soap in my eyes and was careful not to lift anything heavy for about a month… I was overly careful! My eyes hurt for about a week but not that badly.
My Dr. explained to me that I would never have perfect vision again – essentially I see within a box, not good on the sides, upward or down. The results? Well, I do not see double reading or looking straight ahead< however< I still do looking up. I will return to my surgeon in october to see if I will have to wear small prisms or whether he will do an additional surgery. Hard to say. However, overall this has been a huge improvement and really it is a fairly minor surgery. My one eye used to look completely down – it no longer does. I still have white over my eyes but eventually I will get my eye lids fixed. I no longer have to tape my eyes as well,,, so that is big.
I am still very light sensitive – my Dr told me to lubricate my eyes often and this should reduce this problem. I can only hope it will eventually because it is difficult. I also get dizzy in shopping malls – too much stimulation for my eyes… I am hoping I will adjust over time.
I will know more in October … hopefully things will get better. Good luck with your surgery.
Lakeview

[lakeview]

in reply to: strabismus surgery #1066408

Jake…. why 7 surgeries……? I have heard of having a couple but 7…… my doctor has told me there is 60% chance of it working the first time … what happened in your case?
Thanks
Lakeview PS… too bad I am not having it done at Halloween… my surgery is set for June

[lakeview]

in reply to: strabismus surgery #1066402

thanks for your responses. I am excited about the surgery – no date yet – but i feel i will finally have my life back.
How lucky we are that we live in this era where medicine and surgery is so advanced!!

[lakeview]

in reply to: Prism glasses #1066394

I can understand how for some people prism glasses don’t work… initially I almost threw my away since my eyes were fluctuating .. I persisted with them as my vision went increasingly double. In the end the truth is I don’t see well but I don’t see double so it is a compromise. But at least now I can talk to people and look them in the eyes – before I was twisting my head with my chin up to see anything..
Boy, when you have Graves you sure do learn accommodation methods!!! And bravely continue onward.

[lakeview]

in reply to: eye muscle surgery done 12/18 #1067015

Hi there,
Good to hear the surgery went well. I will be going for strabismius surgery sometime this year. I am not sure if you had this procedure done – but my dr tells me when I wake up he will reknot the stitches in my eyes after I do an eye test to see how double my vision is. He tells me that you don’t know right away how your vision will be – it takes about a month until you adjust from the surgery and then that will ultimately tell you if the surgery was a success – once some healing is done – also he told me that there is a 60% chance it will be perfect the first time. So,, the expectation is a second surgery or prism glasses – Please keep us updated on your healing process!
Lakeview

[lakeview]

in reply to: eye muscle surgery #1067221

Jake… I am responding to your last post with a surprised question… why were they doing surgery on you when you were in the hot phase… isn’t that unusual.. or was it necessary since your optic nerve was jeopardized. I am curious because I was told I am to wait until I am in remission for surgery.
Thank goodness for prism glasses! I tell you I could not live without them right now, my eyes are so so bad.
Lakeview

[lakeview]

in reply to: eye muscle surgery #1067219

Hi – I am waiting to go for strabismus surgery.. hopefully it will happen in the spring. I have heard it is relatively simple surgery. I have also heard there is only a 60% chance of it working the first time.
Jake – did it work only after the 5th time? How long did you wait for the next surgery?
I am hopeful that it will work after the first time for me…
Thanks!! And good luck for your surgery please me know how it goes…

[lakeview]

in reply to: GDF welcomes our newest Facilitator James #1067346

I am so pleased you are a facilitator – nice to have a fellow Canadian on line!
Best wishes
Lakeview

[lakeview]

in reply to: Lump at side of neck….related to TT surgery? #1067330

Hi there
It could possibly be a swollen lymph node… swollen glands…I have these all the time when I am under the weather with a cold..
So don’t worry it could be something very minor. Best to check it out with your doctor and get the reassurance that you need!
I am so glad to hear that you are feeling well otherwise!!
Lakeview

[lakeview]

in reply to: graves eye disease #1075686

hi there
I am also euthryoid and have graves eye disease. I know exactly how you feel. I have had this condition since December 08… and it is not fun- I am just waiting for this to get better.
lakeview

[lakeview]

in reply to: Radiotherapy update-TED and getting zapped! #1068029

Hi there.. thanks for the account of your thearpy. It was interesting. I am wondering if you had it done because your optic nerve was jeopardized. I am curious how the decision was made and why. The reason I ask is I am not being treated at all for Graves eye disease since my optic nerve is fine… however my double vision is terrible -and I am wondering if I should be pushing for treatment or just wait it out.
Thanks
Lakeview

[lakeview]

in reply to: Now My Eyes! #1068356

I am not sure what to say,,, but I am in the same boat as you… although I still have my thryoid.. The doctor is just waiting until my eyes go into remission and then surgery … my right eye is stuck looking down and I see double vision looking straight on or upward…. its very hard…
I am having absolutely no treatments…. since my optic nerve is not threatened at this stage. So it is wait and see…. or for now… wait and don’t see.
Cheers,
Lakeview

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