Things are getting a little better finally at the end of the 3rd week on Methimazole 10mg (5mg mgs twice a day.) My heart rate is mostly back to normal. The palpitations are almost gone. Both spike late in the evening around 10pm, and I tend to feel overheated then, too. My BP had dropped from normal to a little under 90/60, so I never started the Atenolol. I'm not symptomatic at that low BP, but keeping an eye on it. The side effects from Mithimazole (feeling drowsy, sluggish, in a fog) come and go and aren't daily like they were at first, but it's a real waste if a day off if they hit then!

My vision has remained off and on a liitle blurry. Some days it's fine, the next I can't focus up close or faraway. My left eye has been dry for at least a year. OTC eye drops just make my vision worse. Due for an eye appt next month. Never been checked for TED.

I get my labs re-drawn in 3 weeks. I hope there is a change for the better. Plus hope the side effects completely disappear. They make taking the Methimazole worse than the Graves!

Also, I think I might have gained a couple pounds. But the last time I did, I lost them the next week. Trying to eat well at least.

Thanks for listening. I'm just a newbie here, so appreciate the support you all give!

Amy

Hi Amy,
I'm in Seattle, too! I have had a lot of experience with eye docs, cause I developed TED about 2+ years ago. If you'd like to chat, sent a PM, I'll reply with my other email address and phone number.
Shirley

I remember when I was on Methimazole and going through thyroid hormone leveling out, unpredictable palpitations, eye stuff, and all the rest. Don't miss that one bit.

Has eye doctor said you have eyelid retraction or other TED? Restasis helped me somewhat after using it for a few weeks, along with the eye gel at night, and other eye drops during the day. Have you tried the gel at night plus eye patches / covers?

I would highly recommend seeing an eye doctor that specializes in Thyroid eye problems. This would have saved me a few years of frustration. Have you been tested for the antibodies that contribute to TED? My extremely high levels explained my TED symptoms, and helped my doctor steer me away from RAI.

I'm not a doctor, and can only relate how my personal journey might coincide wity yours. So, this is not medical advice, just a thyroid disease compadre sharing.

Hope all works out well.

Just a quick note that Restasis is used specifically for dry eyes, and is available only by prescription.

I've heard mixed reviews from other patients…it can take a few weeks to really start seeing symptom relief, but some people do find that it is helpful.

Hi, SallyB62–

I see my eye doctor next week. He's a regular ophthomologist who does treat TED. I have no idea if I have it or not, but since I'm going to see him for a regular eye exam (which is overdue) I thought I'd have him check me for any signs of TED.

I'm not sure what antibodies you mean. I have positive antibodies for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Graves, but not sure if those are what you're talking about.

Thanks for sharing your experience! I'll let you know how the eye appt goes.

Right now only my left eye bothers me, but it's not painful dryness really. Just bothersome and it affects my vision.

Take care,
Amy

Hi amosmcd,
I have had 3 years plus experience with TED in Seattle. For a long time, the eye docs would test my vision, change the RX for my glasses, and it never really helped. It was all attributed to glasses. I had dry eyes, wavy vision off and on, and blurry vision now and then and was more sensitive to light.
When my vision began to affect my work, I walked in another eye doc office, to make an appointment. I did not know him. He happened to walk out to the desk, take a look at me, and say, "If you are here to make an appointment, I'd like you to go downstairs for an orbital CT scan. I'm 99% sure you have TED.
So that is what I did.

I was going to several eye docs for different things during TED. One for the double vision, and subsequently a strabismus surgery. One to assess my vision, related to losing vision. He was the neuro ophthalmologist. Good thin, too, for I ended up with optic neuropathy, and had to have an emergent OD in the active phase, to save my vision. And the other doc was the oculofacial surgeon, who did the OD>
I have had a ton of surgeries since then. My TED is pretty severe. I gotten 2nd opinions in Portland and Iowa, along with my Seattle docs.

Glad you are going to an eye doc familiar with TED. That is very important.
Write after the appointment.
Shirley

Hi, Shirley, sorry to not get back to your other post! Are there specific questions regarding TED that I should ask the ophtho at my appt? Ir that he should be asking me? My Graves has been been mild so far, but it sounds like it doesn't follow that it being mild is a predictor for TED, it seems.
Thanks for your supportive posts. It's nice to know we have a number of folks from Seattle in the forum. I'm enjoying the gorgeous and rare September warm temps and sunshine, hope you are, too

Take care, Amy