[Ski]

#1067362

Hi Sharona,

First let me put you at ease about replacement hormone ~ the replacement hormone itself is chemically identical to that which everybody’s thyroid secretes on its own, so it’s literally impossible to be allergic to replacement hormone. SOME people have reactions to the substances that certain companies use to bind that thyroid hormone and make it into a pill, so if that’s an issue for you, you can either change between the typical brands to find one you do not react to, or you can take the one with NO additives, so no chance of any issue.

That being said, the hives are an allergic reaction, but we have heard that it is not always a dangerous allergic reaction. Some doctors have begun either lowering the dose or using prescription strength Benadryl until you are at a level of "tolerance" with methimazole. Typically the maintenance dose (after you get your levels into the normal range) is very small, and most people tolerate that well, even if they’ve had this initial allergic reaction. It used to be thought that any allergic reaction was potentially very dangerous ~ and of course that’s true ~ but the conventional wisdom was that the reaction would always get worse, and that has not been proven out in practice. So methimazole may still be a treatment option, if you’re willing to fight for it and give it another shot.

As long as you begin treatment and pursue normal thyroid hormone levels, you shouldn’t get much worse. It takes TIME. Patience is essential. But you will definitely (eventually) heal. The eye disease is another conversation (as you probably know), but as far as the thyroid hormone issue goes, once you know what it is, and you are TREATED, things get a little better all the time.

[sharona219]

#1018829

I’ve been reading posts for a few weeks. I guess it’s time to tell my story and hopefully get some questions answered. I had a nasty allergy bout all last fall and winter. MD said take sudafed, claritan, etc etc. Finally in May my whole face swelled. Particularly periorbital area. MD said "see an allergist", I did. Turns out I’m allergic to everything. Whatever – no help there. MD says "see an Ear, nose, throat Dr. I did. He had me do a CT scan. Hadn’t a clue what it could be. MD says see an accupuncturist. I did. Not fun. No help. So off to my optomitrist, new glasses, still swollen. MD put me on 5 days of steroids. That helped some of the swelling on the right eye. The left still looked scary. MD had me do a blood test in Oct. Well – there it was – thyroid too high. Refered to endo. Endo walked in and said Hi I’m Dr. So and So and Hey did you know you have Graves disease? What a relief to put a name on it. I love this guy. I started the Meth and two weeks later I’m one giant hive of rash. Like being bitten by a million mosquitos. Allergic to the meth. He says I should have the surgery once I recover from the allergy. Says I’m not a good candidate for the iodine treatment cuz of my eyes. I’ll see him again on Tues. I am worried that if I have the surgery and have to take replacement hormones that I may be allergic to it too. Any ideas anyone. Anyway – I guess I’ve had palpitations and joint pains and I have been able to (finally) let people know when they piss me off. My only real complaint is just one funky looking eye. Am I going to get worse? Some stories really scare me. I’m very glad for this website and to know I’m not alone. Thanks for any feed back. Sharona

[sharona219]

#1067363

Saw the endo today. He is sure the surgery is the best choice. I have to agree with him. My eyes are too bad for the RAI and the reaction to the meds is too dangerous for me. He is a great Dr. He got on the phone with the surgeon and gave him the particulars about me and the surgeon set up my appt for tomorrow. We all agreed sooner is better as my blood test are fairly normal right now. So I’ll know more tomorrow and will post what’s up then.

[sharona219]

#1067364

I’ve got 10 days to my thyroidectomy. I’m taking Prednisone, Propranolol, to slow this fast heart, and SSKI – Potassium iodide. I don’t seem to be allergic to any of the meds. Yippeee. My eyes look almost normal. I think I could wear mascara again. Anyway, looking and feeling this good I want to ask if I could just continue taking these drugs and not do the surgery. I’m a wuss. But hey – who looks forward to surgery? Has anyone put off surgery for feeling good? Or is this just cuz the meds are doing what they are supposed to do to prepare my body for the surgery? Anyone??

[Ski]

#1067365

If you’re not taking ATDs, then your thyroid hormone levels would not be under control ~ the other meds you’re taking target symptoms, but they do not address the imbalance in your thyroid hormone levels. Talk with your doctor about how you’re feeling and see what they have to say.

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