Hi, I have had hypohyroidism, I had radiation therapy that didnt do too much, I consequently had a fully thyroidectomy.. a few weeks later, I am in a deep depression, my GP sent me to a Psychiatrists that wants me to learn to relax... (waste of damm time) Im feeling exhausted all the time and spend most of my time sleeeping, my eyes are so uncomfortable, bulging, sore, dizzy unable to focus.. HAS ANYONE HAD DECOMPRESSION SURGERY? I reside IN Norway and the services for Graves is very limited, upon research I found a place in the USA, Dr David Granet, Shiley eye institue.. I cannot live like this, my Dr`s saying my T levels are fine thus, i will feel better soon.. Please if anyone has had surgery of the bulging eyes, I would love to hear before and after facts... Thanks so much for any advice.. Emi.
Hi guri27810, you mention that you feel sleepy all the time. I am assuming that you are taking thyroxine since you had a full thyroidectomy. It might be that your thyroxine levels are too low. It would be advisable to get a printout of your blood tests and keep them on record. Just because your levels are within normal range does not mean that the levels are optimal for you. After a few month you will know at what thyroxine level you feel best and will be able to advise your doctor to increase or decrease your thyroxine intake.
As far as the Graves eye disease is concerned, it is due by antibodies that cause an inflammation of the back of eyes. In general, the disease is self limiting and the inflammation typically reduces after about 12 months. If decompression surgery is performed too soon then the eyes will sink too far back into the eye sockets after the inflammation goes down.
I have heard from some patients with Graves eye disease that they benefited from taking Selenium supplements. I am taking it myself. A good source of selenium are Brazil nuts. If possible you could have your selenium levels tested to see if you are deficient in this mineral. I myself am using compresses if my eyes are bulging (mostly in the morning) and artificial tear drops to keep the eyes from getting dry.
If you have problems with focusing you should definitely get an appointment with an ophthalmologist that specialises in Graves eye disease.
If you google 'I am Graves disease, author unknown' and consider tsking it to your dr this may help to convinvce him or her that hyper and hypo thyroid disorders have multiple signs and symptoms and that the diagnosis is not just about the very fallible tsh test etc.
There is another thyroid website available called thyroid uk.
Hello, my mother is due to have decompression surgery for hyper thyroid. She is in moor fields eye hospital London, consultant mr Jimmy Uddin. Maybe you contact him, and a consult? I know he is most knowledgable on thyroid eye disease. Hope it helps. Good luck X