[Ski]

#1068569

Stress can promote antibody action ~ which, for us, is no favor ~ so that may have something to do with your recent spike in symptoms. Just the fact that you’ve been anxious about it could take things off into a spiral and make it more difficult for you. While there are no absolutes with this, and very little scientific proof of causes, it would appear that less stress on your body will lead to more healthy levels in the long run, so you may want to investigate anything that recently changed (besides the change in medication), in terms of diet or surroundings or activity level. Try returning that thing to its earlier state and see if that helps.

When you’ve gone through the initial process with meds and "worked down" to a low dose that maintains your levels, that is the dose that works for you THEN. Once you’ve stopped the meds and are restarting, you likely need to take a little more at first in order to work down to that maintenance dose again.

Take it easy, try not to fret ~ the fact that you did not attain a remission at this point does not mean you are done with the meds, but it would suggest that you need to either continue taking the meds at a maintenance dose for a LONG time, or else make another decision of treatment. You can use the meds to "calm yourself" while you make the decision. Just make sure you are comfortable with your choice, it makes ALL the difference as you recover.

[allgirlusa]

#1068570

Thanks for the response, Ski. If it’s a temporary spike in symptoms, I’ll have to watch for anything "hypo" with my increased dosage.

It’s funny you mention stress – I was sure about a month ago I was going to lose my job. I was so sick with stress for about a week straight. I couldn’t eat or sleep and was worried all day, every day. Everything turned out fine and I discovered I had absolutely nothing to worry about. Maybe that’s what set it off.

Anyway, I guess I thought that once I found a good maintenance dosage I wouldn’t have any issues unless I changed the dose, or underwent RAI or TT.

Has anyone on the board bee using Tapazole/Methimazole long term and had any liver issues?

[Ski]

#1068571

Liver issues take two forms, when people are on ATDs.

First, elevated liver enzymes as a patient first starts to take ATDs can indicate a difficulty tolerating the medication, and usually patients are instructed to stop taking the ATDs. You are obviously not one of those patients.

Secondarily, we need to consider the overall toxicity in the liver over time, which is gradual. Damage may not appear in any obvious way until the patient is literally on the meds for years and years and years.

Every chemical drug we take in our lifetime is processed through the liver, and leaves some residue behind as it is processed (though I should point out that thyroid hormone is different, since it is identical to that which our thyroid produces naturally, and so no toxicity builds up). Thus the issue becomes, how many chemicals does our body process regularly? We have to factor in things like blood pressure medicine, anti-inflammatories, etc. etc., and we also need to consider the fact that as we age, two things happen. First, we typically end up on more medications, and second, our liver loses the ability to efficiently process these chemicals. In addition to that, the overall lifetime toxicity plays into the liver’s ability to function properly.

So while you may or may not get answers about patients experiencing toxicity, these are the things to consider when you’re looking at long-term ATDs. On a small enough dose, perhaps the risk is so small as to be inconsequential to you. This is a very good discussion to have with your doctor. They probably have a good overall view as to what their own patients have experienced, and they may have some idea of your likelihood of future issues, based on your medical history.

Finally, it is rather common for Graves’ patients to experience thyroid failure earlier in life than "average," so the possibility exists that remaining balanced on a very low level of ATDs would just keep you at normal levels until the thyroid burns out naturally, removing the need to do either of the other treatments.

Same as everything with Graves’, balance the information and come up with the answer you feel is right FOR YOU. ” title=”Very Happy” />

[allgirlusa]

#1019031

I’m new to the board, but not to GD – I was diagnosed in 2003. I started Methimazole and after several months achieved a euthyroid state. I maintained my levels with a 10mg dose each day.

Then about 2 years ago my Dr. suggested I stop taking the meds to see if I was in remission. I enjoyed remission for about a year and then the symptoms came back full force. I re-started methimazole and struggled to find the euthyroid state again. For the last several months I thought I had. But then just 2 weeks ago my GD symptoms suddenly worsened. It was literally overnight. I doubled my dose and am just starting to get a decent nights sleep again.

I was under the impression that once you found a dosage that worked you were golden ” title=”Smile” /> What would cause a sudden, significant appearance of symptoms like rapid heart rate and elevated temperature while on meds? I kinda freaked out – thinking I might be pregnant. I just haven’t felt the same since I went off the meds to attempt remission.

Reading through this board makes me re-think RAI or surgery. It also makes me realize that I could be alot worse. Does anyone have any strategies for getting to a euthyroid level? What factors outside of my medication affect my levels? I notice that "once a month" my symptoms are elevated, usually concurrent with PMS. Also, after the pregnancy scare – I wouldn’t mind looking into BC pills again – although when I was much younger the hormones made me very sick – I’m assuming I was pre-DX GD and they made my symptoms severe.

Anyway, I’m glad I found this board and look forward to sharing info. ” title=”Wink” />

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