TED: List of Treatment Options

[Guest guest]

I'm getting rather tired of the Popeye look and would like information on

potential treatment options (and yes, I know none of them are wonderful). Can

someone share, in order with best option first, what drugs/radiation/surgery

options are available? Feel free to share the pros and cons of each.

(Elaine, I bet you cover this stuff in your new book, but it's still not out

yet, right? Ah, publishers. Sigh.)

Thanks,

Shelly M.

[Guest guest]

Thank-you . This was very helpful. I have reviewed ¡Çs pictures.

The upcoming MRI should prove helpful in determining diagnosis and I have a

referral to an ophthalmologist who specializes in TED. I take all of the

supplements suggested by you, as well as acetyl-L-cysteine.

Acetyl-L-cysteine is a precursor to glutathione, but in high doses it is

toxic to the brain. Increasing one¡Çs glutathione levels is very helpful

to

autoimmune disease. One way to do that is to take an undenatured whey

protein. I am currently on Immunocal. Here in Canada it is the most

cost-effective option as I get it wholesale. It is not the same as ordinary

whey protein. If anyone is interested, I have access to research on the

supplement and can give you resources.

Appreciating you,

Sheila

TED: List of Treatment Options

Hi Shelly,

I can mention some of the more basic treatment options for TED. These are

things you'd want to do before considering surgery or laser treatment.

Lots of drops--artificial tears, preservative free are better. A thicker

drop or gel for night. Someone recently mentioned boric acid washes as being

soothing. Some people tape their eyes shut at night to reduce irritation. I

wear sunglasses whenever I'm out of the house.

Flaxseed oil (EFAs) to reduce inflammation, 1 tablespoon per 100 lbs weight

a day, with a bit of protein like yogurt. Other useful supplements are B

vitamins and antioxidants, like alpha lipoic acid. I'm also taking a

combination of bilberry and lutein.

Keeping your thyroid levels from getting too high or low. Along these lines,

if you are taking an antithyroid drug, this can help reduce antobodies and

hence help your eyes.

Avoid cigarette smoking and smoke (I find even residue on a smoker's skin

can make my eyes itch uncontrollably--my boyfriend is trying to quit and

hates it that I can " detect it " when he cheats).

Get a baseline exam with someone who's experienced with TED, to rule out

pressure on the nerve.

Other steps to heal your immune system, such as avoiding sugar, cafeine

(it's not easy!), and saturated animal fats; practicing a stress reducing

method like yoga or meditation.

My doctor offered me a course of prednisone, a steroid, but as I understand

it the symptoms will rebound afterwards. Other options go from here. My eye

doctor is ready to do surgery on my " moderate " TED but I've been advised by

people here to wait till the antibody activity subsides, both because things

can get worse after surgery if you still have antibodies, and also because

once you go into remission, your eyes can improve. (/Hiroshima recently

posted pix showing great improvement in her eyes over the past year.)

Best wishes,