[Steph82]

#1059861

Is this caused by Graves?

I have noticed that for the last few years my hands swell up to the point that I can’t wear my wedding ring, but it always went away (happened at night mostly). I haven’t slept in my rings for about 3 years because of this but they have been fine during the day. On occasion my feet swell up too but it was always towards the end of the day and again it goes away. I get a little mild joint pain with this mainly in my finger and toe joints. Well last Friday my hands and feet swelled up pretty good, I broke out in hives, and had achy joints all over my body, by Sunday I realized I was allergic to methimazole and stopped taking it. The hives went away as did the joint pain but since then my hands are very swollen and it won’t go away! Is it from the medication or the Graves? I started PTU yesterday so I went 2 full days taking no medications while my pharmacy ordered the PTU. I’m very uncomfortable and I hate not having my wedding ring on!

[Kimberly]

#1178325

Hello – Swelling is listed as a possible side effect of methimazole, *but* there can also be other numerous other causes as well.

I would suggest getting in to your doctor to have him/her take a look and give you some further direction. Some patients who have minor allergic reactions to methimazole will do fine with PTU, while others will have the same reaction they did with methimazole.

Of course, swelling can sometimes be something as simple as too much salt, but it’s best to keep your doctor in the loop, just to err on the side of caution!

[Steph82]

#1178326

Well after a few days on the PTU my swelling is gone, thank goodness! I wonder if it was a Graves symptom since I have had it off and on for years?

[Stymie]

#1178327

I feel like I get a lot of hand swelling. Especially when I exercise. I haven’t noticed any swelling in my feet though….

[Author]

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