[Ski]

#1063237

Hi Krystal,

I haven’t heard of this as a specific side effect of methimazole, but the other element to consider is the reaction of the body to the shift in thyroid hormone. Even a shift from hyperthyroidism into euthyroidism (normal thyroid hormone levels) can "shock" your body and cause some weird, very individual symptoms, that we’d never be able to connect directly to methimazole, since it may have more to do with just the fluctuation in hormone that is an expected result of taking the methimazole.

I do know that migraines can come from a lot of causes, like losing sleep, stressing out, or exposure to paint fumes, so you might just want to check in with your general practitioner and see what they have to say. Obviously, if you’ve been hyper, you’ve probably been anxious, losing sleep, etc., so that may easily be the source, even though your levels are being corrected now. I know migraines are absolutely miserable, so I do hope you find some relief. By the way, I’ve even heard that migraines can be *emotionally* triggered ~ in other words, the fear of having one can actually bring it on ~ and it may be possible to short circuit that emotional reaction if you can do it consciously. If you feel some of the initial symptoms (if you get the visual "aura," for instance, or if you feel other symptoms just prior to the migraine), then perhaps trying to find a calm, quiet place can head it off at the pass.

Good luck!

[Krystal25]

#1018203

Hello everyone!

So I am curious if anyone else has experienced extreme migranes while taking methimazole? I have been getting severe migranes 1-2x weekly since being on methimazole to the point where they ruin my day. Just curious if anyone else has experienced this?

Any help would be much appreciated!

-Krystal

[Bobbi]

#1063238

I’ve never heard of an association with the antithyroid drug and migraines. You could check with your pharmacist. Pharmacists have all the info in drug issues, and can be a quick source of factual information. And, I would definitely recommend that you call your doctor. Something like this should be checked.

[Mullein]

#1063239

Really new to GD…

I have been taking Methamizole for almost 4 weeks now – I never used to get headaches, can count them on one hand "before GD", but am getting slight pressure now and then in the afternoons after starting the medication – was worse in the first 1.5 weeks, then medication was adjusted due to still increased heartbeats in the mornings, now the pressure still happens, but not as frequently. Blood pressure is in normal ranges now with the medication.

As said above, would take the question to the doc.

[ctebbetts]

#1063240

I have suffered from migraines for most of my adult life. I saw a migraine specialist when I reached the point of 2-3 migraines a week. It was this hugely observant specialist who diagnosed my TEd within seconds of walking into the exam room, ordered hormone tests and got me to a thyroid specialist.

He prescribed Propranolol, a beta-blocker, for the headaches. Within a week I received amazing releif and had only two migraines in 8 months. I have read that Propranolol is often used with other anti-thyroid drugs to control symptoms, and I did see a marked reduction in the fidgety, nervous feeling I had assumed was just my normal self as I had felt it for so long!

One drawback – I gained 10+ pounds – perhaps a change in metabolism due to the beta-blocker?

The migraine specialist did ask that I taper off the Propranolol a the one year point – I have been off it for one month adn have had three migraines… proof that it helped or psychosymatic?

~Carolann

[Kimberly]

#1063241

Hi Carolann – I’m not familiar with the effect that propranolol might have on migraines…but I’m glad that you found some relief!

Quick question for you — were your thyroid hormone levels in the normal range when you saw the thyroid specialist? If you were actually hypER, the propranolol does not treat this condition…all it does is mask the symptoms, such as a rapid heart rate. Remaining in a hypER state — even while taking propranolol — can cause all sorts of complications, including bone/muscle loss and heart issues. The three treatment options for actually correcting a hypER state are Anti-Thyroid Drugs, RAI, and surgery.

Some patients do get diagnosed with TED *before* they have any thyroid involvement, so perhaps this isn’t an issue for you…but I just wanted to check.

Take care!

[Julie3588]

#1063242

Hi Carolann,

When I was first diagnosed and put on propranolol my endo asked me if I ever had migraine headaches and I said yes. He told me that propranolol is actually used sometimes to treat migraine headaches and I may experience relief as a fringe benefit. I have noticed after going on and off propranolol a few times that whenever I am on it I experience no headaches at all! Once I am tapered off, they return. My endo told me that I could actually stay on a low dose of beta blockers if it helped the headaches but I decided to go off of them since I no longer am hyper.

Also, I’ve noticed that when my levels are either "off" or I am swinging from hyper/hypo to normal or vice versa I get an increase in migraines. I’ve heard migraines can be hormonally driven so maybe there is a connection.

Good luck with everything.

-Julie

[Bobbi]

#1063243

I suffered from migraines for decades. I was given — by two different doctors — a list of foods to avoid. I discovered that they included most of my favorite foods, alas (spinach, yogurt, chocolate among them). I did not have to completely give up these foods, but I did find that if I was careful, and not eating too many of them in any given day/week, that I got fewer headaches. If your headaches recur, you might check with your physician to see if you can get the list of foods and try it out. I got the list from an allergist, and a neurologist.

Good luck,

[saumya]

#1063244

I had migraines before my Graves’ and have had bad headaches all this year. If you don’t have any heart issues, you might want to ask for a calcium channel blocker (like verapamil) instead of propranolol. CCBs have fewer side effects than BB and you don’t build a tolerance to it like you can with BB. However, I do realize that its not the "typical" first line against migraines. Its just an option. ” title=”Razz” />

[jpheather]

#1063245

I was put on propranolol, 20 mg per day, for my fast heart rate. The wonderful side effect is that my migraines are just about totally gone. I would have anywhere from 1-5 in a week, now I might have one per month, if that. I’ve had them since my early 20s (now 50s) and have been recently taking Maxalt ($$$$) for them. I’ll be taking propranolol from now on, it’s like a miracle drug to me, and since my migraines are controlled on such a low dose there aren’t any problems continuing to take it if I need to after my thyroid is controlled. I just make sure to take my morning pill AFTER my swimming workout, rather than before.

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