Guest guest Posted August 31, 2003 Report Share Posted August 31, 2003 Jemima, When I replied to your last post about RAI, I hadn't paid attention to your husbands symptoms, and bulging eye problem. I would not do RAI if there are already eye problems. Listen to these people on this group who do ATD's, the know of what they speak. Jen M Eye pain--Jemima > Hi Jemima, > > There are things your husband can do for his Graves' opthalmopathy which is the cause of the bulging and painful eyes. The same antibodies that we (incorrectly) make that stimulate the thyroid gland also affect the eyes. > > It's important to keep the eyes lubricated with artificial tears; it's best to get a preparation without preservatives. Cigarette smoking and smoke will worsen the condition. Many in this group have benefited from taking flaxseed oil daily, a tablespoon per 100 lbs body weight (perhaps 2 1/4 tablespoons for a grown man), mixed with a bit of protein like yogurt or cottage cheese. The oil is sold, refrigerated, at health food stores. It is a source of Essential Fatty Acids and helps reduce the inflammation. > > Probably your husband should also get a baseline check by an eye doctor with some experience in Graves'. The swelling can expose the eyeball to damage. Moreover, it can put pressure on the optic nerve, which can cause damage. Eye symptoms can be made worse by iodine ablation of the thyroid. > > Best wishes, > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 2003 Report Share Posted August 31, 2003 Jemima, I don't know what happened to your original post...I will have to go to the board to read it. I am going agree with Jen that if eye symptoms are already presenting, the antithyroid medications are the best form of treatment for you husband. They are the best form of treatment for ANYONE who can tolerate them, in my opinion, and should always be the first course of action for anyone newly diagnosed. RAI made my moderate TED become disfiguring TED within 2 weeks. (Before and after pictures of me are in the link below..) Most patients don't have the eye disease as severe as I do, but there is no way to determine who's eyes will get worse after RAI, whose will get better, or whose will stay the same. 5% of the 15% who develop or have worsening eye disease post RAI will need medical intervention for their eye disease. I, unfortunately, am one of the 5%. Even though that is not a large number, when you are one of the 5%....the world as you know it changes drastically. I wouldn't take that gamble. God bless, <A HREF= " http://hometown.aol.com/lisareynolds64/myhomepage/personal.html " >http://ho\ metown.aol.com/lisareynolds64/myhomepage/personal.html</A> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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