!5 year old with graves disease

[Lori542]

My daughter was diagnosed with Graves disease at 15. At first her whole face was swollen and her eyes were bulging. It took 2 months to diagnose her.  She is on Tapezole, which brought the T3 and T4 to about normal. Her eyes are still bulging and she is in pain from severe dry eyes. Now they want to take out her Thyroid. Then do eye surgery. Does anyone know if a thyroidectomy would help the bulging eyes? Please help!

[Lori542]

Thanks, My daughter was on Restasis and she does see an Graves Eyes Disease Optometrist. He said they have a 2 year window before there is permanent scarring to the muscles and we on on 15 months.He took her off the Restasis and she is currently on the Systane during the day and Systane gel at night. I think I will try the GenTeal as the gel doesn't seem to help.. I'm just so concerned because she is so young. Thanks for the title of the book, I have read so many books but I don't recall this one. I will have to read it....Kind regards

[TamraW]

If she has Graves, I do believe surgery will eventually be necessary. The eyes could improve, but it is not guaranteed.

The Thyroid Solution, by Ridha Arem, dedicates an entire chapter to thyroid eye disease. He talks about the different options, such as corticosteroids, and different types of surgery. One suggestion he made was to find an ophthalmologist with expertise in the field.

For my dryness, my eye doctor gave me GenTeal to use at night and Systane during the day. I think you can get these over the counter, too.

:) Tamra