[Bobbi]

#1074628

Reality is the pit, isn’t it? If you are allergic to both ATDs then you need to consider RAI or surgery to remove your thyroid. Those are our only alternatives. Allergic reactions typically only get worse, not better. Unless your doctor tells you that it is OK to continue on the drug, you must consider the alternatives, both of which can make you healthy.

I was not allergic to the drugs in the same fashion you are, but I definitely was made more ill on PTU. I chose RAI and was on the road to good health within two months. It isn’t worth it to prolong the disease just to avoid RAI or surgery. It truly isn’t.

[BlueButterfly15]

#1019862

Hi there, I’m new to this forum. I am 36 and was diagnosed with Graves Disease about a year after giving birth to my daughter, she’s now almost 2. I had similar symptoms after giving birth to my son 4 years ago and probably have had thyroid issues since then but was never diagnosed. I postponed starting on Methimazole because of breast-feeding my daughter, but started taking it about a month ago. I’ve been feeling terrible since about 10 days after starting this drug. The worst thing has been itching & hives, which after scratching turn into huge welts under my skin. Ive had these all over, but worse on my scalp, neck, ears, hands, feet and legs. I’ve scratched my hands so much the past few days that they are cracked & bleeding. I’ve tried topical creams and Benadryl, but the relief is temporary and not complete. The only thing that helps for a while is an ice pack on the affected area, but the itching is affecting my work, I can’t concentrate on anything else. I also just started getting severe heartburn, not sure if this is related to the Methimazole or not but I’ve never had heartburn before. The past few nights I’ve woken up with SEVERE upper stomach pain. I tried taking over the counter meds for the heart burn & stomach pain, but they did not help much. I finally called my doctor and she said to stop taking Methimazole and called in a prescription for PTU. I started that last night and found myself waking up throughout the night with more itching plus headache & eye pain. I woke up this morning with puffy, swollen eyes, a migraine headache, joint & muschle pain and itching all over. Has anyone else felt just awful on anti-thyroid meds? or is this a possible allergic reaction? At this point, I really want to try to "tough it up" and get through this so I don’t have to try RAI, since I have small children and don’t have anyone to watch them for 3 days while I am radioactive. Also, what happens if I end up being allergic to thyroid replacement meds and have to be on them for the rest of my life? I don’t think I could live like this forever. I’m wondering if these side effects will subside over time, or could they be a warning of some underlying problem – like liver disease? FYI – I’ve spent years with migraines and probably taken way too much Excedrin in my lifetime. Maybe my liver just can’t take anymore? Please help! My doctor does not seem to be taking any of my side effects seriously. I had to call 3 times before they took me off the meds, and the nurse actually told me that heartburn is not a side effect of Methimazole, even though it says on the packaging that it is. Thank you.

[BlueButterfly15]

#1074629

Thanks Bobbi! I will definitely try the RAI if the PTU gives me any of the same side effects as the methimazole. I’m not sure how long the side effects last after stopping Methimazole, but my itching seems to be less of a problem today. I hope that maybe what I was experiencing was not from the PTU I just started, but the lasting effect of the methimazole still in my system. I’m hoping the migraine I have is just from lack of sleep and not the PTU. Your reply & especially the comment about feeling better within a couple of months of RAI is inspiring to me. Thanks very much! I’m glad you are not feeling this way anymore. There is hope. Take care, Michelle

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