Head aches, face disfiguration, eye protrusion?

any ideas? i get severe head aches, had an MRI done 6-7 months ago, and a biopsy behind the protuding eye. its not cancer they say, but it has caused my eye to protrude about 3mm from the other and the whole side of my head/face to also push out. took prendisone for 5 months with no change, have lost vision and color vision too. not total vision loss, just about double the other eye (from 20/20 to 20/40+) looking at the MRI you can definately see a large mass in my head, pushing my brain out of the way, and my face out. the doc.s don't say much, but shrug and its not cancer. I do have graves disease, but they do not think it is the notorious "graves" eyes, becuase of that lovely growth in my head. the head aches are getting real bad again, and i swear it affects my memory and thinking sometimes. could just be the pain, i don't know. any thoughts out there? otherwise i am healthy, never get sick or have colds, lately alot of muscle ache, could just be my age though? i am 46 yrs.

Your symptoms including distracted attention span are consistent to your diagnosis of Graves Disease.( known as Basedow's disease in Europe; toxic goiter) Graves' disease is a term used to describe the commonest variety of hyperthyroidism, which is regarded as having an autoimmune basis.


In the case of Graves' eye disease (Infiltrative Thyroid Ophthalmopathy), different antibodies attack the muscles associated with eye and eyelid movement. Although the thyroid gland and the eye may be under attack by the same immune system, it is felt that both conditions remain independent of one another. The antibodies that attack the eye can cause inflammation and swelling of the muscles around the eye, which is what can eventually cause protrusion of the eyes, double vision and retraction of the eyelids. In some cases the muscles may be enlarged up to eight times their normal size and may mimic an orbital tumor. No, you don't have cancer.


The treatment and control of hyperthyroidism DOES NOT tend to improve the prominent eye appearance or the double vision associated with Graves eye disease. Graves eye disease affects women between the ages of 20 and 45 years.


The most serious eye complication of hyperthyroidism is a condition called thyroid optic neuropathy which is caused by pressure on the optic nerve causing moderate to severe loss of eyesight. The loss of sight may be subtle, only causing a change in perception of color, to complete loss of eyesight. Treatment should be administered as soon as possible, usually consisting of steroids given by mouth.


In as much as the doctors already tried prednisone on you, have they considered surgery such as subtotal or total thyroidectomy?


If the vision fails to improve then surgery is necessary to relieve the pressure surrounding the optic nerve. The surgery consists of removing the bones in the innermost part of the orbit where the pressure on the nerve is the greatest. This surgery is called an orbital decompression.
Another surgery is the eye muscle surgery.

Another option of treatment is the use of prisms in the eyeglasses to correct the double vision.

For Graves' ophthalmopathy
These steps may make your eyes feel better if you have Graves' ophthalmopathy:

Apply cool compresses to your eyes. The added moisture may soothe your eyes.

Wear sunglasses. When your eyes protrude, they're more vulnerable to ultraviolet rays and more sensitive to bright light. Wearing sunglasses that wrap around the sides of your head will lessen the irritation of your eyes from the wind.

Use lubricating eyedrops such as lacrilube.

Elevate the head of your bed. to lessen the accummulation of fluid in the head which might account for the swelling in your head and thus relieve the headaches and the pressure in your eyes. Your headaches might also be caused by eye strain.


It's not an age thing. And I definitely agree with you that proptosis or exophthalmus or protruding eyes or forward displacement of the eyes can contribute to "face disfiguration and result in self-consciousness. Double vision and loss of color vision can also be disabling and self-limiting. For a vital woman like you, that's very .distressing. I don't blame you.
Remember, that complication of Graves disease is thyroitoxicosis or thyroid storm. So try to find a good endocrinologist to help you.

Good Luck!

Sorry you're feeling so bad, but if your doctors are not giving you an answer and are not able to help you with pain, I would get a different doctor. This is not a age thing, you seriously need to get some answers. Get someone to help you with this, it sounds very serious. I hope you get some answers soon, take care.