Eye Bulge - TED - Graves

[Deckah]

I am a 23/male/130-140lbs.

I recently got blood work done and I am awaiting results. I have no insurance and have been seeing a free clinic of OU physicians.


During the last two days my left eye seems to bulge out a bit
and the upper/lower eyelids seem to be irritated along with swelling.
I can feel the difference between the two eyes, but I can't
tell a difference when I look in the mirror (aside from the lid swelling).
My vision stayed the same since this has happened. I think the right eye
may also come along with the same thing since those eyelids seem to be
swelling as well.

My vision has taken a dive overall (not due to last couple days), but it
could just be due to my eyes taking strain and I might be just
mistaking that for impaired vision. I wear glasses at the computer, but
take them off here and there. I also been using artificial tears around
4x a day, even if there is no pain. I have been waking up sometimes with
bloodshot eyes, but that goes away within 10 minutes. Though I did have a day just last week when I woke up with a nasty headache, this lasted for 2 hours.


I am almost 90% sure I have a thyroid problem of some sort. I am really worried about my overall eye health. I don't want them to bulge out worse than it already is.


___________
~QUESTION~

I know overtime when the eye muscle/tissues are inflamed it seems they don't go back to their original form. Is there anyways to prevent this from happening? Or in some cases once medication is acquired, do they go back to their original form.

I was wondering if any anti inflammatory medications(corticosteroid/amoxicillin?) would alleviate this. I just want to bring up a medication and them see if I am fit to take it. I just don't want anything to mess up a thyroid med that I may get.


I was also reading over Timolol gel eye drops. Anyone heard of these?


___________


Hopefully I can figure out the proper levels I need to aim for and take some action. I have been feeling real depressed due to all of this.


For anyone curious below is my symptoms.

I first noticed constant stuffy nose after being sick for 5 days. Then the fingers went. I Think the sickness sparked something up.

Overall symptoms:
Hair falling out, head hair, eyebrows, eyelashes.
Fingernail ridges, flaking (on all fingers). Toes have
it better than my fingernails (was only noticed on 4 toes).
Tiredness, overall weakness. Sinus problems, nasal drip, stuffy nose.
Eye vision getting worse. Ive noticed double vision a few times, pain
in eyes sometimes, blood shot when I wake up some days. Eyelids are looser/plump.

[Andros]

Originally Posted by Deckah

I am a 23/male/130-140lbs.

I recently got blood work done and I am awaiting results. I have no insurance and have been seeing a free clinic of OU physicians.


During the last two days my left eye seems to bulge out a bit
and the upper/lower eyelids seem to be irritated along with swelling.
I can feel the difference between the two eyes, but I can't
tell a difference when I look in the mirror (aside from the lid swelling).
My vision stayed the same since this has happened. I think the right eye
may also come along with the same thing since those eyelids seem to be
swelling as well.

My vision has taken a dive overall (not due to last couple days), but it
could just be due to my eyes taking strain and I might be just
mistaking that for impaired vision. I wear glasses at the computer, but
take them off here and there. I also been using artificial tears around
4x a day, even if there is no pain. I have been waking up sometimes with
bloodshot eyes, but that goes away within 10 minutes. Though I did have a day just last week when I woke up with a nasty headache, this lasted for 2 hours.


I am almost 90% sure I have a thyroid problem of some sort. I am really worried about my overall eye health. I don't want them to bulge out worse than it already is.


___________
~QUESTION~

I know overtime when the eye muscle/tissues are inflamed it seems they don't go back to their original form. Is there anyways to prevent this from happening? Or in some cases once medication is acquired, do they go back to their original form.

I was wondering if any anti inflammatory medications(corticosteroid/amoxicillin?) would alleviate this. I just want to bring up a medication and them see if I am fit to take it. I just don't want anything to mess up a thyroid med that I may get.


I was also reading over Timolol gel eye drops. Anyone heard of these?


___________


Hopefully I can figure out the proper levels I need to aim for and take some action. I have been feeling real depressed due to all of this.


For anyone curious below is my symptoms.

I first noticed constant stuffy nose after being sick for 5 days. Then the fingers went. I Think the sickness sparked something up.

Overall symptoms:
Hair falling out, head hair, eyebrows, eyelashes.
Fingernail ridges, flaking (on all fingers). Toes have
it better than my fingernails (was only noticed on 4 toes).
Tiredness, overall weakness. Sinus problems, nasal drip, stuffy nose.
Eye vision getting worse. Ive noticed double vision a few times, pain
in eyes sometimes, blood shot when I wake up some days. Eyelids are looser/plump.

Hello, Deckah!! Oh, boy..................it sounds like things are not well with you. I am so sorry. And it sure sounds suspiciously like thyroid problems w/ eye involvement.

When did you have the lab tests? Do you know if they ran any antibodies?

Please try to get copies of your labs so that you can start a folder and also so that you can post your results and ranges here if you like. We must have the ranges and different labs use different ranges.

In the meantime, I strongly urge you to get in to see an opthalmologist as there is much to be done to stave of the progression of the antibodies attacking the eyes. Treating the thyroid is essential but does little to treat the eyes at this point.

Meanwhile, cold packs on the eyes and continue using the moisturizing drops. Make sure you do not use drops w/ antihistamine as that makes the eyes worse. I like Refresh lubricating drops by day and lacrilube ointment by night.

Let us hear from you as soon as you get your labs in.

[Deckah]

The test was 5 days ago and I supposed to know here soon. Not sure if they ran any AB tests. I have genteal gel drops and equate tears that I can use. I don't like the gel drops cause they make my vision a bit blurry, but anything that helps.

I was on loratadine (antihistamine) prior to this happening. I finished out a 30 pill bottle about 3-4 weeks ago. Maybe I am getting late effects from it. The loratadine was for a nasal problem that I have and still have to this point. It didn't help


Just a few hours ago I thought of using an ice pack and damn, wish I had known sooner (it feels soo calming). I think bright ideas strike me late.


I would like to point out. I do have 3 molars coming in (yeah my luck) during all this. Not sure what effect this would have on my eye, but I know way back I had a toothache that was causing earaches on and off.

I will report back as I get the results. Hopefully they test a wide-range of things. Id also like to know of any iron deficiencies.


Hopefully things will die down here soon. Or if things get worse I may just get the thyroid extracted and beat it with a baseball bat

[Andros]

Originally Posted by Deckah

The test was 5 days ago and I supposed to know here soon. Not sure if they ran any AB tests. I have genteal gel drops and equate tears that I can use. I don't like the gel drops cause they make my vision a bit blurry, but anything that helps.

I was on loratadine (antihistamine) prior to this happening. I finished out a 30 pill bottle about 3-4 weeks ago. Maybe I am getting late effects from it. The loratadine was for a nasal problem that I have and still have to this point. It didn't help


Just a few hours ago I thought of using an ice pack and damn, wish I had known sooner (it feels soo calming). I think bright ideas strike me late.


I would like to point out. I do have 3 molars coming in (yeah my luck) during all this. Not sure what effect this would have on my eye, but I know way back I had a toothache that was causing earaches on and off.

I will report back as I get the results. Hopefully they test a wide-range of things. Id also like to know of any iron deficiencies.


Hopefully things will die down here soon. Or if things get worse I may just get the thyroid extracted and beat it with a baseball bat

Oh, wow! Your wisdom teeth? That can be painful.

Genteal and Equate is good. I personally don't care for the Genteal myself but everyone raves about it.

As you already know, we will be anxious to see those labs if you care to share and it is very important to include the ranges as different labs use different ranges.

Yes; Ice. Packages of frozen baby peas work really well.

Keep the baseball bat handy.

[Gio111ca]

Hi Andros, I know what you are feeling Deckah's.

Believe it or not, the SINGLE ONE thing that has greatly improved my vision has been the fact that I quit smoking (not sure if you are a smoker or not), in a very quick way.

I have always gotten up early (5AM) o work and use Visine drops, the ones for computer work, they work fine for me. I believe these are not suggested in the long run because they get the red out, but that is what I have until a better suggestion comes along. My eyes are tired mostly because I sit in front of a computer screen for at least 10 hours per day (its is now 8:37PM and I have been in front of a computer since 7AM). Not that I need a life, but I need my computer to work.

I just went for a blood test last Friday and will post my numbers here, they are dropping, I am on Tapazole 5mg.

Take care.

[Andros]

Originally Posted by Gio111ca

Hi Andros, I know what you are feeling Deckah's.

Believe it or not, the SINGLE ONE thing that has greatly improved my vision has been the fact that I quit smoking (not sure if you are a smoker or not), in a very quick way.

I have always gotten up early (5AM) o work and use Visine drops, the ones for computer work, they work fine for me. I believe these are not suggested in the long run because they get the red out, but that is what I have until a better suggestion comes along. My eyes are tired mostly because I sit in front of a computer screen for at least 10 hours per day (its is now 8:37PM and I have been in front of a computer since 7AM). Not that I need a life, but I need my computer to work.

I just went for a blood test last Friday and will post my numbers here, they are dropping, I am on Tapazole 5mg.

Take care.

You sound like you are doing really well and I am so glad to hear it. I am an ex-smoker!

Will be delighted to have a look at your lab results and ranges when you get them in.

[Deckah]

Thanks for the replies. Yes I am a smoker, but since my last post here I haven't had one. I smoked for about 3-4 years when younger, then stopped for about a year then started back up again. I was smoking around 2-4 cig a day, but now cold-turkey hopefully. It seems much easier to quit when I have a valid reason that's with me, than it was before. I just think of my thyroid and the cravings went down, but I am raiding my fridge.

Hopefully I can keep it up.


Also about the blood test results. Well they said, "3-5 days". It's been 8 days so I will give a call to the place this week. I'm not happy at all with that.

[Andros]

Originally Posted by Deckah

Thanks for the replies. Yes I am a smoker, but since my last post here I haven't had one. I smoked for about 3-4 years when younger, then stopped for about a year then started back up again. I was smoking around 2-4 cig a day, but now cold-turkey hopefully. It seems much easier to quit when I have a valid reason that's with me, than it was before. I just think of my thyroid and the cravings went down, but I am raiding my fridge.

Hopefully I can keep it up.


Also about the blood test results. Well they said, "3-5 days". It's been 8 days so I will give a call to the place this week. I'm not happy at all with that.

Tch; it's sad but true..............you will have to get on their backs for your lab results and ranges.

Glad you put down the ciggies. Good for you!

Chew gum.

[Deckah]

Well I called up there and got no test results back, instead they just stated on the phone that they could find nothing wrong with my test results. I am still going in for an appointment. Not sure what the issue is.

I was pretty sure and still am pretty sure that I have a thyroid problem of some kind. I just kind of doubt their ability to test for it now. I was pretty sure I would be referred to a endo doctor, but now it seems I am going to have to do it on my own. I don't know anymore.

[Andros]

Originally Posted by Deckah

Well I called up there and got no test results back, instead they just stated on the phone that they could find nothing wrong with my test results. I am still going in for an appointment. Not sure what the issue is.

I was pretty sure and still am pretty sure that I have a thyroid problem of some kind. I just kind of doubt their ability to test for it now. I was pretty sure I would be referred to a endo doctor, but now it seems I am going to have to do it on my own. I don't know anymore.

Deckah. If you can get a copy, please do so. I for one would like to know what tests were run, what the results were and the ranges are a must. Different labs use different ranges.

This is ridiculous. Why am I not surprised? Same thing has happened to me and thousands of others. And we pay for this!

I am also pretty sure you have a thyroid problem. I am also very very disappointed and I know you are as well.

Find out if they ran any of these tests......

The lab tests listed are helpful when it comes to sorting things out.

TSH, FREE T3, FREE T4, TPO (antimicrosomal antibodies), ANA (antinuclear antibodies), TSI (thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin) and Thyroglobulin Ab as well as thyroid binding inhibitory immunoglobulins (TBII.)

You can look all of the above up here so you know what they are for........
http://www.labtestsonline.org/