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in reply to: Eye Disease #1069721

djay1: Please let us know when your appt. is and how you are doing. Do you know if the bags under our eyes are from FLUID or if it’s FAT?? I don’t know that answer??

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in reply to: And the verdict is. Drum roll please…… #1069507

Being hypo definitely gives you an explanation why you wanted to screammmmmmmmmmmmmm yesterday, right? You have reason to be scared, but focus on how healthy you’re going to be soon and how this is going to help you complete your next semester in school !! I know it took me almost a week, when the dr. increased my medication so it may take a little while for you to start feeling a little better, so be patient with your body. You’ll be HAPPY & BUBBLY before you know it…hang in there Krystal!! Just in case you’re interested, I told someone today that I was going to ask for new DNA…HA!! (think it’s a little too late for that though…ARGH!)

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in reply to: Disability #1070405

Hello Paloma…your SO RIGHT in that if we were missing an arm & couldn’t write, we’d get DISABILITY!! It angers me when people park in a handicapped parking spot and get out of their car looking normal and other people GLARE at them…it’s not right!! Who’s to say they don’t have a heart condition or some type of disability that IS NOT VISIBLE to the average person!! If they are parking in a handicapped spot, I believe it must be for a reason. It’s true, in that, GD can be disabling and yet, we don’t get the necessary recognition like someone that has lost their leg, arm, etc. I believe that disability should be renamed "Orthopedic"…ARGH!!!! I’m in hyperthyroidism right now, can you tell?? Please let us know how your appt. goes on the 29th.

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in reply to: Eye Disease #1069719

I"m very blessed, in that I see an Opthalmologist that has many years of research in GD and understands his patients. He measures my eyes EVERY MONTH; however, I haven’t had any bulging at all. He checks them for inflammation and listens to my symptoms. He would like me to go into remission prior to surgery, but I too have the bags under my eyes from fluid, I guess?? I noticed this morning that GD has decided to attack my left eye, I think. I woke up and had the greying appearance in my vision and my eye was "crusty". Once I got up for a while, my vision came around. Have you experienced the crustiness in your eyes? It’s almost like the sandman my mother told me about when I was young comes to see me.

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in reply to: Hyperm surgery today… #1069524

mamabear, you’re so thoughtful! We’re so lucky to have you here…

Hyperm, please let us know how you’re doing when you’re well enough to email us. You’re in our thoughts and prayers. ” title=”Very Happy” />

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in reply to: Intravenous Glucocorticosteroids #1069635

Hi Carla: I started going to the dr. in August ’08, but just DX Oct. ’08 when the dbl. vision started. I’m in my early 50’s and one symptom I had, that I forgot to tell you about, was the stomach upset issue. I ate Pepto Bismol tablets several times the entire wk. I was taking the IV steroids. Yes, I too, gained 20 lbs. with the meds and have been unable to take it off to date, no matter any activity level. Prior to the muscle/joint pain, I was exercising 3 to 5 times per wk.

Hello Rhonda: Yes, PLEASE go back to your eye dr. I have pain and pressure behind my eyes with TED. Good luck and please let us know what your dr. does for you.

Hugs to both of you.

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in reply to: personal question #1069665

Full speed ahead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ” title=”Smile” />

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in reply to: My big day! RAI tomorrow #1069581

Today is your day and you’ll be arriving to your appt. soon!! Best wishes for healing and getting well now!!

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in reply to: changing tapazole dose – effective? how long to have effect? #1069693

Hello Elise: I’m on Tapazole and my Endo dr. increased mine 4x the dosage because I went back into hyperthryoidism. I’ve been on the increased dosage for 1 wk. today and I noticed last night that I slept through the ENTIRE night without hot flashes or insomnia waking me up. I’m a HAPPY GIRL this morning!!

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in reply to: Intravenous Glucocorticosteroids #1069632

Hello Carla: I had 1000 mg. Solumedrol every other day for 1 wk. total. It ended up being 3 treatments and yes, I was also on 10 mg. of prednisone for several months, 3x a day. I’ve had no proptosis, but double vision, puffiness below my eyes, some inflammation. The reason for the second treatment was because of severe pain in my head and temple area (I guess it was pressure). At that time, I asked the dr. if I could go blind from this disease and his response to me was, "No one has ever gone blind under my treatment". He believes in aggressive treatment to subside the long-term affects, so I went along with his recommendations and grateful I did. I had one treatment around Christmas last year and the second treatment end of January, first part of February. He measured my eyes last month (I go once a month to him) and claims I’m still "unstable" for surgery to realign my eyes b/c my numbers are still fluctuating; however, I haven’t experienced any pain since February and my treatments. I have no problems with colour vision although the dr. checks me monthly for that too. RAI is not an option for me either with GD b/c of the eye involvement. Please let us know if you have any additional questions and please give us an update on her condition.

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in reply to: Intro #1069621

Thanks Cathy for welcoming the opportunity to help us along our GD journey and good luck with your schooling. I appreciate all the information you’ve already provided me…CONGRATS on becoming a moderator.

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in reply to: Intravenous Glucocorticosteroids #1069630

Hi Carla! Yes, I’ve had 2 treatments of IV steroids (1000 mg. of Solumedrol 3 days each) for my Graves thyroid eye disease. I had the treatments within 2 months apart b/c I was experiencing the same pressure on the optic nerve too. I found out after the treatments that this type of treatment lowers your immune system so I ended up with the shingles (over Christmas, YEAH!). I had a very red, flushed face for a few days and also got kidney stones from the treatment. I didn’t realize that you must drink lots and lots of water with these treatments so be sure she has plenty of water around to flush her kidneys. Other than those 2 IV treatments, I also had the 10 days of radiation to the enlarged muscles in my eyes and everything has proven successful for taking the pressure off the optic nerve. I still have double vision, but I’m not experiencing the pain behind my eyes and in my head that I had prior to the two treatments. I know you must be worried about your daughter…it’s a horrific disease for anyone to have to go through, especially at her age. Hang in there and good luck. Let me know if you have any addl. questions.

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in reply to: Profession? Stress? Help? #1069715

I will keep everyone posted as I make progress. My current plan is to enroll is Child Psychology next semester along with the 4 part exam to enter nursing school. The college will provide my book on tape (audio) for the semester since reading is difficult. The 4 part test has to be passed at 95% or they will withdraw my application. The double vision is my only concern with taking the test b/f December as I don’t think my dr. will be ready to correct the eyes with surgery prior to taking the exam. Thanks for all your encouragement…will let you know when I get into nursing school so we can all celebrate!! ” title=”Very Happy” />

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in reply to: personal question #1069662

Hyperm…I just want to say good luck with your surgery Wednesday.

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in reply to: Skin burning?? #1069658

Thanks so much for responding Hopeful23…this is the first time this has ever happened, but it seems any weird thing that goes on, I blame it on GD now…HA!! I never knew the trick about sweetner though…THANKS!!

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