[Steph82]

#1059837

I was diagnosed with Graves 3 weeks ago and have been on meds ever since. On Friday night I had a nasty tummy bug (its been going around and hit my whole family) but with that I had some weird itchy spots, mostly on my thighs. Saturday I was fine until the evening, I started having more itching and realized I had a few hives. My feet and hands were slightly swollen and a few of my finger joints ached as well as one of my wrists, by the end of the evening my feet hurt so bad I had to lie down and could hardly walk on them. I woke today feeling better but the itching started up again. The palms of my hands and bottoms of my feet itch and ache as do a few of my joints and one of my legs is covered in hives from hip to ankle and I have a few on my other leg and both arms. The hives HURT, the feel like bruises and they are extremely tender! Obviously I’m having a reaction to something but I have no idea what! Dh thinks its my meds since nothing else is new but I have been on them for 3 weeks. I haven’t used any new detergents or anything like that. I find it weird though that an allergy would cause achy painful joints? I will call the doc if this is still going on tomorrow but until then does anyone have any ideas?

[mwhitney]

#1178150

What med are you on?

depending on that, a rash and itching and swelling is probably med related. You might want to call your doctor. And maybe check a list of side effects that go with that medication, that might give you more insight.

I had swelling in my face, and that alone was enough to have me stop taking Methimazole.

Feel better!

[Steph82]

#1178151

I’m on methimazole. But do you think the symptoms would show up 3 weeks later? I feel so good on this medication I don’t want to stop it!

[LaurelM]

#1178152

Hi,
So sorry you joined our club. Just itching can be either due to being hyper or a reaction to the ATD. Hives however, make me more suspicious of of a reaction. I developed hives several months after being on Methimazole and was switched to PTU.
There are several possibilities your Dr might want to have you try which could include:
1) continue and try to control the hives with an antihistime;
2) lower your dosage with or without an antihistime;
3) switch to the other antithyroid drug (either Methimazole or PTU);
4) take you off ATDs and recommend either RAI or surgery.

You need to call your Dr and discuss exactly what you are experiencing so that you can take a safe course of action. You may even consider calling the office tonight as they probably have an after-hours answering service.

Let us know how you get on.

Take care,
Laurel

[mwhitney]

#1178153

I was diagnosed recently and I only made it about 4 1/2- 5 weeks on methimazole sadly, I hear its different for everyone. Some people tolerate it just fine. I guess I wasn’t one of them.

When I was taking it, I felt better for the first 2 weeks and then I started having mood changes (which my doctor thought was the dump down to lower numbers) I didn’t love that, but then my face started swelling and even now although I’ve been off it for about 5 days it’s still slightly swollen. When I called my endo, she told me to stop taking it and come right in.

But if I remember I think she mentioned that a rash and swelling weren’t good reactions.

How long has the rash and itching been going on?

[Steph82]

#1178154

Only since Friday night. I’ll be calling first thing in the morning, I’ll be so sad if its the meds. The liver risk scares me about ptu. Ugh! This whole thing is beyond frustrating!

[Kimberly]

#1178155

Hello – Yes, as LaurelM said, itching/hives can come with hyperthyroidism, but can also be a potential reaction to anti-thyroid drugs. (Joint pain can be a potential side effect as well). Best to get this checked out ASAP…please check back to let us know what your doctor says!

[Steph82]

#1178156

I woke up feeling good and didn’t take the methimazole yet and have no itching or hives…. I have a PA friend who says she doubts its the meds but she isn’t trained in thyroid stuff so who knows. I have a call into the doctor, just waiting to hear back. A part of me wants to take it now and test it but I’m home alone with my 3 year old all day and I’m scared of an even worse reaction! Each day it has gotten worse.

[Author]

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