Mom was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease (a type of hypothyroidism) about 10-12 years ago. She's been taking Synthroid since....on and off problems, but usually under control by adjusting her dosage.... until recently....

Noticed her right eye seemed to be bugging out. So we got an emergency appt. with an eye doctor today and right away he said it must be Grave's Disease. This is a hyPERthyroid problem totally opposite of what she's been dealing with for over a decade.

This might explain why she suddenly dropped a lot of weight quickly not long ago. We freaked out, had her tested for cancer, nothing found.... and really no other symptoms, except dry eyes and bulging eyes.

She is scared. She only has vision in one eye. And I'm already legally blind, and cannot drive. She is scared she is going to go blind. How will we get around?

Anyone have any advice or experience with this? She had blood work done today and is scheduled for a CAT scan.

I, too, have Hashimoto's disease and have had it for many years. I have to be monitored for my Synthroid dosage.

I don't understand how she could suddenly now have a condition that is the polar opposite.

I hope the doctors are able to help her.

I think she needs a second (third?) opinion. Something just doesn't seem right!

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I have had Grave's Disease myself - been about 11 years since I was diagnosed...with that and hyperthyroidism. I was taking meds to try and regulate it, but they did not work for me, so I had to take radio-active iodine pills to "kill" my thyroid. Due to the Graves and hyperthyroidism I was having some eye issues and heart issues as well. They both resolved within months after I had the RAI.
At that point I had to go on synthroid because with no thyroid I had been rendered hypothyroid. That said, my dosage of synthroid does have to be monitored closely as I can and have reverted to hyperthyroidism due to over dosage of the medication. How often does your mother have her levels checked? I think it is most likely that she is taking too much medication and needs to be put on a lower dosage and that will take care of the issues.

Wow, Rachel, heart problems? That is so scary! I've already lost Dad to a heart transplant gone horribly wrong..........Mom's all I have left--- no more heart problems, PLEASE! I too think her dosage needs to be checked. She had a blood panel done yesterday--no results yet. CAT scan for Monday.

Blackberrybunny I am so sorry to hear this news about your mom , I offer you sincere healthy wishes for her and I also would seek another doctors advice on your moms medical condition. Peace and keep us posted. Catherine

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in memory of my beloved beautiful brother Sonny who is now an angel in heaven

I really believe all that is at issue is her dosage. I think she is probably taking too much synthroid causing the Grave's/Hyperthyroid. Once her dosage is adjusted her issues should resolve within a matter of weeks/months.

I agree. I don't get it though--she's been taking the same dosage for years now. It's as if her body suddenly started to produce more or something! Still waiting for the doctor to call with the lab results..........it'll probably be Monday before they do--you know how it is! It's Friday and lunchtime. I don't have any hope for the rest of the day, as far as them calling....

She went and bought some eye drops, the kind the eye doctor recommended. They are called Tears and they are kinda more like a gel rather than a liquid like Visine. The gel part in them is from them having Polyethelyne glycol. Not sure if I spelled that right, but that is the same ingredient in Miralax, the laxative. When mom read the box and it said it had PEG in it, she said, "I'm not putting plastic into my eyes!" I said, plastic? What are you talking about?? And she said she thought that PEG was some kind of plastic or wax or something. :::SIGH::: I just laughed and told her PEG is a LUBRICANT! And they put it in laxatives and eyedrops and sex lubes and who knows what else, but it is safe! LOL