Re: Hyperthyriodism, Grave's Disease and Blindness

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Radioactive iodine often makes eye problems worsen because it causes

increased production of the thyroid antibodies responsible for both

hyperthryoidism and thyroid eye disease.

Washed out colors suggest that your optic nerve is becoming compressed and

this can lead to vision loss. Steroids do have side effects, but they're

indicated for treatment of optical nerve compression. External beam radiation

is also indicated and is sometimes used in combination with steroids.

Otherwise, orbital decompression surgery can be used as a last resort. In

general, it shouldn't be used when the eye disease is active, but it can be

used if needed to relieve the optic nerve compression. Usually, though, more

surgeries are then needed after the disease settles down.

Things that can help you include stress reduction techniques, the herb

bugleweed, antioxidant vitamins, avoiding iodine, sugar and saturated fats.

Iodine (from fast foods and pre-packaged foods and other foods high in

iodine) stimulates thyroid antibody production, and sugars and saturated fats

promote inflammation.

Studies show that ATDs mildly suppress the immune system and have a

beneficial effect on GO. But if your optic nerve is involved, you likely need

more the steroids or orbital radiotherapy (external beam radiation). This is

something that needs to be addressed soon. take care, elaine

[Guest guest]

Kate

What is the amount of Lutein you are taking?

Sandy

[Guest guest]

Have you tried taking Lutein? It won't make your problems go away but it may

help with some of the eye discomfort and problems. I had blind spots due to

pressure on my optic nerve. It wasn't bad but I did start taking Lutein. It

is available as an over-the-counter supplement. It seemed to help me quite a

bit. My eyes have calmed down now and I have finally managed to go a full

year between eye checkups (took 4 years to reach this point).

I'm not offering the Lutein as a solution but perhaps as a help.

Kate

mikeladhyper wrote:

> I posted a message last week on " Hyperthyroidism and Blindness " and

> the responses gave me hope and I thank you all. However, yesterday

> I saw my opthamoligist and I came out of there feeling very

> discouraged because he told me that the treatment options are very

> unpleasant. He has ordered a CT scan and he suspects that my Grave's

> Disease has damaged my vision - I am seeing washed-out colours

> through my right eye. My field of vision test was OK but I do notice

> a general degradation of my vision. My upper eye lids are terribly

> prolapsed and the opthamolagist said that the steroid treatment for

> this will cause it's own set of problems - bone-softening,

> cataracts, imune system compromise and many more. I will be sent to

> or put in contact with individuals in Toronto who are more

> knowledgable about this disease as soon as my CT scan is complete

> and they will determine the best set of options for me. My most

> obvious symptom are my horribly prolapsed upper eye lids which

> protrude well beyond my eyebrow and forehead giving me a feeling

> that I have a permanent set of morning eyes - my eyes always feel

> like I just got out of bed. Should I just continue with Tapazole and

> wait for things to settle down or should I be looking for other

> means to help myself? From what I have been reading, radioactive

> iodine also causes problems. Any suggestions?

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sandy

I take just one 6mg pill daily.

Kate

SandyC7606@... wrote:

> Kate

>

> What is the amount of Lutein you are taking?

>

> Sandy

>

>

[Guest guest]

Kate,

I'm curious, did you ever have problems with increased eye pressure? I

did for several years when my eyes were a problem - slight bulging for a

while and then pressure finally settled down. My opthalmalogist checked me

every 6 months for several years. He has a new gadget in his office that

measured the thickness and pressure and I'm told I'm very normal!! Take

care, Mona

Re: Hyperthyriodism, Grave's Disease and

Blindness

> Hi Sandy

>

> I take just one 6mg pill daily.

>

> Kate

>

> SandyC7606@... wrote:

>

> > Kate

> >

> > What is the amount of Lutein you are taking?

> >

> > Sandy

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Stay away from RAI - it will only worsen the eye problems!!

Hyperthyriodism, Grave's Disease and Blindness

> I posted a message last week on " Hyperthyroidism and Blindness " and

> the responses gave me hope and I thank you all. However, yesterday

> I saw my opthamoligist and I came out of there feeling very

> discouraged because he told me that the treatment options are very

> unpleasant. He has ordered a CT scan and he suspects that my Grave's

> Disease has damaged my vision - I am seeing washed-out colours

> through my right eye. My field of vision test was OK but I do notice

> a general degradation of my vision. My upper eye lids are terribly

> prolapsed and the opthamolagist said that the steroid treatment for

> this will cause it's own set of problems - bone-softening,

> cataracts, imune system compromise and many more. I will be sent to

> or put in contact with individuals in Toronto who are more

> knowledgable about this disease as soon as my CT scan is complete

> and they will determine the best set of options for me. My most

> obvious symptom are my horribly prolapsed upper eye lids which

> protrude well beyond my eyebrow and forehead giving me a feeling

> that I have a permanent set of morning eyes - my eyes always feel

> like I just got out of bed. Should I just continue with Tapazole and

> wait for things to settle down or should I be looking for other

> means to help myself? From what I have been reading, radioactive

> iodine also causes problems. Any suggestions?

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, indeed, but that doesn't mean it won't be suggested. I too

had TED, did need orbital radiation and a short regimen of

steroids, eyes are now okay, and I am in remission and show no

signs of Graves at this time. But I had two doctors who still,

knowing I had TED, suggested RAI. I refused.

Elaine

It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of a thing he was

never reasoned into. -- Swift

Hello mhs-way

On Monday, May 12, 2003, you wrote

> Stay away from RAI - it will only worsen the eye problems!!

[Guest guest]

Yes I did have some increased pressure - but not consistently. That is how the

optometrist first identified that I had a problem - about 3 years before the

Graves diagnosis. Then I had no problem on repeat check. My field of vision

checks were what showed the blind spots to the optometrists satisfaction. I

knew because when I tried to read there were spots that I had to move to see.

I was checked sometimes as often as every month but I did not need anything

besides changes in prescriptions all through it. I did see an opthamologist

who suggested possibility of optic myasthenia and also noted that I was very

sensitive to bright lights.

Kate

mhs-way wrote:

> Kate,

> I'm curious, did you ever have problems with increased eye pressure? I

> did for several years when my eyes were a problem - slight bulging for a

> while and then pressure finally settled down. My opthalmalogist checked me

> every 6 months for several years. He has a new gadget in his office that

> measured the thickness and pressure and I'm told I'm very normal!! Take

> care, Mona

>

> Re: Hyperthyriodism, Grave's Disease and

> Blindness

>

> > Hi Sandy

> >

> > I take just one 6mg pill daily.

> >

> > Kate

> >

> > SandyC7606@... wrote:

> >

> > > Kate

> > >

> > > What is the amount of Lutein you are taking?

> > >

> > > Sandy

> > >

> > >