Exophthalmos, I have a question please

[Gio111ca]

Hi all,

Was diagnosed with Graves a week ago and am on Tapazole 5mg 1 and 1/2 pills per day.

I have also been diagnosed with exophtalmos and have puffy bags under my eyes.

I have an appointment with an ophthalmologist in only 1 month and 1/2, and was wondering if there is anything I can do in the meantime to reduce the bags under my eyes as they are really showing now and are quite puffy.

Thank you.

NEW MEMBER.

[Andros]

Originally Posted by Gio111ca

Hi all,

Was diagnosed with Graves a week ago and am on Tapazole 5mg 1 and 1/2 pills per day.

I have also been diagnosed with exophtalmos and have puffy bags under my eyes.

I have an appointment with an ophthalmologist in only 1 month and 1/2, and was wondering if there is anything I can do in the meantime to reduce the bags under my eyes as they are really showing now and are quite puffy.

Thank you.

NEW MEMBER.

I am sorry to hear this. Welcome to the Board.

Yes; cooling ice packs help, sleeping w/ head slightly elevated helps and may I suggest that you try to get on a cancellation list so perhaps you can get in sooner?

Do your eyes hurt? Are you using moisturizing drops? Does the light bother you?

[Gio111ca]

Hi Andros, thanks for replying.

The ophthalmologist I was referred to will be attending a conference in the US and will only be available in 1 month 1/2. However, I did manage to get an appointment with another entomologist (fond through internet) in 2weeks. The secretary already told me there would be a $30 charge because those eye tests are not covered by medicare in Canada, no problem.

No, my eyes don't hurt and the light doesn't botter me. I use Visine drops sometimes in the morning because I get up at 5AM (have used them many times in the past for red eyes when getting up early, prio to Grave's).

It's actually all fine except for the puffy bags under my eyes. I will post a pic here if permitted. They are really showing.

SO I am wondering then if I should go see this ophthalmologist in 2 weeks and let him do his eye tests (which I'm not crazy about).

My endo said the ophthalmologist would give me a steroid for my puffy eyes, maybe I'll just ask for that and avoid all those tests as I am scheduled for a Tomo Orbit test at the hospital in 1 month ?

Thanks again.

[Andros]

Originally Posted by Gio111ca

Hi Andros, thanks for replying.

The ophthalmologist I was referred to will be attending a conference in the US and will only be available in 1 month 1/2. However, I did manage to get an appointment with another entomologist (fond through internet) in 2weeks. The secretary already told me there would be a $30 charge because those eye tests are not covered by medicare in Canada, no problem.

No, my eyes don't hurt and the light doesn't botter me. I use Visine drops sometimes in the morning because I get up at 5AM (have used them many times in the past for red eyes when getting up early, prio to Grave's).

It's actually all fine except for the puffy bags under my eyes. I will post a pic here if permitted. They are really showing.

SO I am wondering then if I should go see this ophthalmologist in 2 weeks and let him do his eye tests (which I'm not crazy about).

My endo said the ophthalmologist would give me a steroid for my puffy eyes, maybe I'll just ask for that and avoid all those tests as I am scheduled for a Tomo Orbit test at the hospital in 1 month ?

Thanks again.

Oh, I see!! Well then; wait is what you will do. In the meantime if I may share what my Ophthalmologist told me? He said, "Do not use products like Visine as they have an antihistamine and have a tendency to make the eyes worse." So, I followed his advice and use lubricating drops only (I use Refresh, don't know what you have in Canada) and Lacrilube Ointment at night.

That test sounds like Computed Tomography which would be like an MRI where they do grids of the orbits.................I think?? I am not 100% positive but it sounds like it. This would provide a baseline for future proptosis and/or improvements.

Yes; they can give steroid drops which help a lot and if not, oral steroids and there are Kenalog injections also. Let's hope you respond well to the drops.

Please keep your appt. with the ophthalmologist. It's what you don't see or don't experience that should be of a concern right now.

[Gio111ca]

Hi Andros,

Thanks again for responding.

May I ask about those steroids, are they eye drops or a pill ? Sorry, don't know much about that. Also, will they meae the puffy bags under my eyes go away, or what is the purpose?

Like I said, my vision is fine and I started taking Tapazole.

The only thing that is bothering are those puffy bags, and I'm not convinced they will go away on their own or with my Hyper condition stabilizing, then again I might be wrong.

[Andros]

Originally Posted by Gio111ca

Hi Andros,

Thanks again for responding.

May I ask about those steroids, are they eye drops or a pill ? Sorry, don't know much about that. Also, will they meae the puffy bags under my eyes go away, or what is the purpose?

Like I said, my vision is fine and I started taking Tapazole.

The only thing that is bothering are those puffy bags, and I'm not convinced they will go away on their own or with my Hyper condition stabilizing, then again I might be wrong.

Hi!! Firstly, if the situation is not to bad (and I pray not), the doc will try you on steroid drops. They will slow down the infiltration of the antibodies to the orbits of your eyes and my help the periorbital edema (puffy around the eyes.)

Sometimes, the use of mild diuretics help.

Systemic drugs have been used to treat different symptoms: Diuretics may help to temporarily decrease periorbital edema. Anti-inflammatory agents, particularly corticosteroids, have been used when ophthalmopathy is progressing rapidly. In the past, immunosuppressive agents such as Azathioprine or cyclophosphamide were used to treat Graves' disease. The success of such treatment is uncertain but it is still occasionally used for recalcitrant cases. (Feldon)

http://webeye.ophth.uiowa.edu/dept/D...ves/graves.htm

[Gio111ca]

Thanks for all your help Andros appreciate it.

[Gio111ca]

But do you think a full eye examination would be necessary, meaning eye drops and pressure verification and so on ... or would an experienced ophthalmologist just look at me and know exactly what the problem is once he would know I have Grave's disease ?

Meaning he would conclude that my eyes are ok and the puffiness as being a result of it (never had any bags under my eyes my whole life) and recommend stereoid ?

I'm asking because I don't really like doctors playing with my eyes for no reason even more-so as I saw my optometrist a few months ago and everything was ok after the eye and prescription test.

[Andros]

Originally Posted by Gio111ca

But do you think a full eye examination would be necessary, meaning eye drops and pressure verification and so on ... or would an experienced ophthalmologist just look at me and know exactly what the problem is once he would know I have Grave's disease ?

Meaning he would conclude that my eyes are ok and the puffiness as being a result of it (never had any bags under my eyes my whole life) and recommend stereoid ?

I'm asking because I don't really like doctors playing with my eyes for no reason even more-so as I saw my optometrist a few months ago and everything was ok after the eye and prescription test.

Sadly, it does not quite work that way. He/she has to see what is going on inside the orbits. They cannot tell just by looking at you.

A good example is that there are other reasons for proptosis. Graves' is not the only reason.

[Gio111ca]

Andros,

In the meantime, would ice packs or something cold on my eye bags relieve the swelling ?

Thanks again.