Burning Skin

[nightingale-56]

I have been doing so well on NDT since February 2019

TSH - 0.46 (0.3 - 4.5)

FT4 - 16.4 (12 - 22)

FT3 - 5.7 (3.1 - 6.8)

but on 28 April I was taken into hospital with quick onset glaucoma. I was given a drip to bring down the pressure that evening and had to go back the following morning for laser treatment. I then had eye drops of Maxidex to be given four times a day for two weeks and also Dorzolamide/Timolol eye drops to be given twice a day for four weeks. These made me feel very nauseous and this feeling has continued until the past three days when I have woken a few times in the night with my skin absolutely burning and sore. I have an appointment on 18 June to continue treatment. It is so bad that I don't want to go to bed. I do feel that it is probably reflux, but this had vanished when my blood levels got to the above. My BP has settled after going to 190/113 at the start of the glaucoma. As the Dorzolamide/Timolol has Dexamethasone in it, could this have upset my adrenal glands.

I would be grateful for help that any one can give me.

[pennyannie]

Hello Nightingale,

Glad to read the NDT has been a good move, but sorry to read about your eye issues.

About 20 years before I was actually diagnosed with Graves Disease I too had laser treatment for holes and tears in both my eyes. Moorfields diagnosed me as having iritis and do remember the drops I used after the treatment made me want to be throw up, from memory I think a drop of whiskey took ' the edge off ' .

At the time I was coping with chronic backache and sciatica and when I asked why had this happened, the explanation was vague and the consultant suggested that it could be related to a build up of inflammation on my spine.

Are these known side effects and is there an option to switch to alternatives ?

Sorry I don't have any answers that make any sense, but interesting or maybe it's commiserations that we both have Graves, no thyroid, and NDT. in common.

Take care :

[nightingale-56 in reply to pennyannie]

Hi pennyannie , I can also connect with the backache and sciatica, although that is not too bad at the moment. I can definitely feel a real soreness on my back just about where the position of my stomach is and also lower down on the left hand side lower bowel position. I have been thinking about it being to do with the sphincter valves. The Maxidex had acacia powder in it and the Dorlozamide/Timolol had Mannitol in it, so both baddies for me. I actually had 1/10th of my thyroid left, but no doubt that has given up the ghost by now as it was done in 1978 and I was not then treated until 1997. I felt a bit like this then too.

Good to have the advice of someone who is so similar to me with complaints, and thank you for giving me the benefit of your knowledge.

[linda96]

This excerpt from a few years back might help: I've just looked to see if there has been much in the way of papers and studies and there isn't much. Hope this helps.

From 10.1016/0026-0495(75)90059-1

"Finally, a possible interference of dexamethasone in T4 to T3 conversion must

be considered. Evidence has been given that in man much of the circulating T3

derives from peripheral T4 to T3 conversion. The suggestion has been made

that glucocorticoids alter the hepatic metabolism of T4, namely the rate of extraction of T3, by the liver and its deiodination. ” Since the liver is the most important site for T4 metabolism and it has a clear influence on the acute disappearance rate of T4, a dexamethasone effect at this level, blunting T4 to T3 conversion could account for the more important T3 inhibition after dexamethasone (both basal and after TSH, since a portion of T3 response is due to

increased T3 production brought about by increased T4 secretion)".

[nightingale-56 in reply to linda96]

Hi linda96 , that is such good information and I shall take a copy of it, along with pennyannie 's reply to my appointment. I shall have to carefully peruse this and make it clear in my mind, but it makes perfect sense to me, as that is what it feels like. I do wish I had all my records from when I first started having problems with Graves. I can only say that I had a very good GP at the time and they have gradually got worse and worse, knowing less and less. Good job I have such knowledgeable people around me on this forum. Thank you for replying.

[linda96 in reply to nightingale-56]

I’m one of your followers because you always make sense.. returning the favour so to speak.

Let us know how you get on.

I have a friend who takes dexamphetamine and it increases cortisol considerably. Enough to mask Addisons.. Her Endo wasn’t aware of this. It’s so important that they should. All the protocols and guidelines which really only cater for a handful of people without comorbidities, don’t cover the rare cases. That probably aren’t so rare. She’s done loads of research and had to diagnose herself with Addisons.

Just shocking really.

Hope you get on okay.

[nightingale-56 in reply to linda96]

Thank you for a bit more information linda96 . We have a mutual admiration society here then as I am one of your followers too. Good to know about the dexamphetamine also. We really shouldn't have to diagnose ourselves, when medics have seemingly done such a lot of training to be able to treat us. Probably much safer if we do it ourselves though! Will keep you informed about any (hopefully) improvements. Had a good night's sleep last night, the first in about a fortnight, so that has made me feel a bit better. Also changed how I dose my NDT, as seem to need a bit more at night, but am only on such a small amount of 1 1/4 grains. Must begin to learn about all the glucocorticoids now.

[LindaC in reply to nightingale-56]

And then have 'them' scoff at us... if we dare to suggest! As if I care? 😍

[pennyannie]

Guilty as charged !!

[nightingale-56]

It definitely wasn't for me Hidden ! Probably complicated by starting seven days of Cefalexin the day before all this kicked off.

[nightingale-56]

This is the 3rd time that I have had this particular antibiotic and the first two times it was okay. The first time I actually had the brand one, Keflex and that was fine. I did feel a bit nauseous the second time and this was just a generic. This last time it was a generic too and I really don't think that generics are any good, causing more problems than they are worth. I value your input too.