[MrsGoly]

#1017833

Hello — Brief history —

Started having weird chest feelings on Wednesday, June 15th. By that Friday, I was at my PCP’s office and the MD who I saw chalked it up to stress, however hooked me up to an EKG in the office. To her surprise, it didnt look good, so set me up for the following Monday for a 4 day heart monitor and asked me to go get my thyroid checked that afternoon (blood) on the off chance it was related as over the years I’ve had it monitored due to the fact my mother and her mother are both HYPO.

Monday the 20th, I got a call from the MD who wanted to see me ASAP. Thyroid levels were screaming HYPER. T3 Free 21.2, TSH .02, and T4 Free 5.56 MD still had me wear the heart monitor Monday to Tuesday, saw the endo on Wednesday, and did the thyroid scanThursday and Friday. He also began me on 25mg of Atenolol daily to help with the chest palipatations, as they were calling them.

Endo felt even without seeing the results of the thyroid scan that I had Graves and not just a HYPER thyroid that would eventually "die" out on it’s own. Because I was going on vacation July 1-11th, prescribed Methimazole 10mg 2x daily to begin after the thyroid scan. Began the medication on Saturday, June 25th.

I also had an ultrasound on my thyroid because the scan came back with the iodine settling more on the left side of my thyroid v. the right,

Uppm returning from vacation, I met with the endo the pas Thursday, the 14th, and I reported that I was feeling good. She reported my blood work looked better, although still reading on higher side and that the only way to "fix" this was to do the radioactive iodine treatment. I’m not totally sold on this procedure but the goal is to have this done by the end of August.

Well, Friday morning, my feet began to itch. By 1:30am Saturday morning, I had full blown hives all over my body that continue today. Saturday and today I have only taken my AM dose of the Methimazole and have been using Benadryl to combat the itching and hives. Obviously, I have to call the endo tomorrow AM — But after researching on-line and speaking to my local pharmacist, it sounds that around the 3 week mark, this seems to be a fairly common reaction for people.

I knew from reading the side effects of the drug that itching and rash were side effects, although I did not know that it’s common for people to have an allergic reaction. Wish my endo had mentioned it. I am highly allergic to all penicillin and all sulfa drugs so I am very careful about allergic reactions. It seems from reading from other people’s experinces that their MD’s have switched their oral meds, although some people mention the same thing happening even on different meds.

Looking for any advice or other people’s experience with reactions to Methimazole.

Thank you!

[Kimberly]

#1061229

Hello – This type of reaction is a potential side effect with methimazole, but I wouldn’t say it is common. Some patients can get relief from these symptoms by using benedryl (which you’ve tried), taking a lower dose or switching to PTU. I would absolutely try to get in to your doctor tomorrow to have someone take a look and help you sort through your options.

By the way, you do have three treatment options — continuing on the ATDs, RAI (which your doc has discussed with you) and surgery to remove the thyroid gland. It’s important to do your research on all three options and make a decision that you are comfortable with.

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