[Grace]

#1060261

I was diagnosed with Graves about a year ago. My symptoms were headaches, diarrhea, puffy eyes, anxiety, irregular heartbeat, and weight loss. Since getting things under control, I started to feel betterfor a few months. Recently the same old symptoms reappeared and my doctor increased my medicine. I have been on increased dosago of Methamazole for three weeks now, and yet my headaches are not going away. They feel like pressure headaches and they are wiping me out and taking all the joy out of my life. My eyes are still swollen, red, and puffy. My stomache is upset and I have diarrhea. What could be going on? Why am I not getting better? I am worried.

[npatterson]

#1181613

Dear Grace,

IT is hard to do, but try to not be worried. Taking action is much better! I assume that your levels were off or the ATD would not have been increased. Is there anything else that could be going on? Have your eyes been checked for swelling that might be causing the headaches? We are here for you, so keep in touch,

Take care,

Nancy

[barbra]

#1181614

Hi Grace,

Your symptoms sound an awful lot like mine when I was hyper. Are you getting copies of your lab results?

Before I was diagnosed with Graves I suffered from severe migraines, sometimes 3 or 4 times a week. Most of the time the pain started around my eyes/sinuses and then just spread out. There was no puffiness, redness or swelling around the eyes. I still don’t know what brought the headaches on.
After I started on the Methimazole and a beta blocker the headaches diminished and since the RAI they are mostly gone. My PCP did not want to prescribe migraine medicine, due to my age, but the neurologist he sent me to had no problem. So, now, if I do get one of those headaches one of the migraine pills knocks it out in about an hour, thank goodness, because that pain used to be an all day affair.

It can take some weeks for the Methimazole dosage change to take hold, heaven knows we are all familiar with that waiting.
Does your doctor know how bad you feel, does he know about the headaches?

I hope that you’ll get better soon.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[adenure]

#1181615

Hi!

I was on methimazole- 5 mg daily- for 7 weeks and then had a TT 6 weeks after I stopped the meds. I had to stop due to liver issues on methimazole. Anyway… I had headaches too. I had them when I was hyperthyroid and (although not as badly) when I was on methimazole. I had them daily for almost 4 months post TT until my body got accustomed to Synthroid and I was stable for a few months. I even demanded a CAT Scan from the neurology dept. at Kaiser bc I was sure that must be something wrong with my brain like a tumor. Who has headaches almost daily for about 6-7 months? But, all was well- no brain issues. It was all due to Graves, hyperthyroidism, surgery, recuperating, getting adjusted to Synthroid, fluctuating levels. I think Graves takes it’s toll. Have you considered RAI or surgery if methimazole isn’t stabilizing you. I’m 1.5 years post TT and am doing pretty well now. Glad I had the surgery as my health is much better.

[Grace]

#1181616

Thank you for the replies and reassurances. I have a call in to my doctor. I am glad I have found this site.

[gatorgirly]

#1181617

Hi Grace,

I’m someone who gets headaches rather frequently, even before Graves’. But a few weeks before I was diagnosed with moderate my TED, the headaches became more intense and felt like they were coming from behind my eyes. I guess it’s important to determine if these are headaches you have experienced before or if it could be due to some swelling going on in your orbit. A call to your endo is a good idea as is getting established with a neuro-ophthalmologist even if just for some baseline measurements. My headaches resolved with TED treatment.

I also developed a LOT of gastrointestinal problems during my Graves’ saga. I think it’s pretty common for stress and wacky hormone levels to manifest as headaches and GI upset, but it’s worth exploring all of these ailments. Aside from GERD (runs in the family), all of my GI issues have resolved since stabilizing my thyroid levels. If you don’t find relief soon, ask for a referral to a gastroenterologist.

[Author]

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