[cher68]

#1059901

Hello,
I was recently diagnosed with Graves. My endocrinologist put me on methimazole for one week then took me off so for two weeks so I could have a thyroid uptake scan. Two days after the scan he said yes it is Graves and start the methimazole again. I did. Next day I got hives and rash, tried to wait it out till lips swelled so bad I went to ER. They pumped me full of benedryl and steroids which helped. I went back to the endo, he told me here take PTU start it when your hives are gone. One week after the first bout of itchiness it finally stopped. So today I took the PTU 50mg. I waited until later when someone was home just incase.. two hours later here comes the itchy hives. Can I be allergic to both medicines? This is all new to me. I never met the endo Dr. until recently so I am not sure if I should get a second opinion or if this is a common reaction to these meds. I will be calling him again in the morning. The shaking tremors and the need to use the bathroom so soon after I eat are making it hard to work, I look like I am having some kind of withdrawls from drugs or as one of my friends says a “shaking chihuahua”. If anyone else has been allergic to both meds please let me know. I feel like I am loosing my mind.
Thanks

[Kimberly]

#1178652

Hello and welcome! I’m sorry that you’ve had such a bad experience with these meds! Yes, it is possible to react to both medications. One challenge, though, is that in some patients, the hyperthyroidism itself can cause itching and hives, so you definitely want to consult your doctor to help sort this out ASAP. Your primary care doc or pharmacist can also be good resources if you can’t get an immediate answer from your endo.

The latest guidance on treatment of hyperthyroidism (which you can find in the “Treatment Options” thread in the announcements section of the forum, notes that for “minor” skin irritation with methimazole, you can keep taking the drug in conjunction with antihistamines.

However, your doctor would need to make the judgment call as to whether or not your reaction was “minor”. Continuing to take anti-thyroid drugs is not recommended for more serious reactions. If this is the case, thyroid surgery and RAI are also treatment options for hyperthyroidism. *All* three options have pros and cons, so you definitely want to do your research before making a final decision. The “Treatment Options” thread is a great place to start.

In the meantime, you might also talk to your doctor to see if you are a candidate for beta-blockers, as these prescription drugs can provide some temporary symptom relief from issues such as tremors and rapid heart rate. (Beta Blockers can potentially worsen asthma and certain blood vessel conditions, so they aren’t prescribed for all patients).

Take care – and please check back to let us know how you are doing!

[beach45]

#1178653

I am sorry you are going through this. I can relate.

I started with Graves symptoms in May 2010 in my early 50s.
I could not keep anything inside me without having to go the bathroom; the weight was coming off rapidly, I was shaking so bad I could not write and looked like someone withdrawing from alcohol, my resting heart rate was terribly high, and my legs were like jelly as when I went down the stairs they were shaking so bad and seemed like they were going to give out. Stubborn me waited until July 2010 to see my doctor. He said go on vacation which we did and it was miserable as I was a mess. Tested a week later and with testing Graves confirmed.
Like Kimberly said a doctor can prescribe a beta blocker for the shaking, tremors. I did something natural as I am very stubborn about medications as I’ve had nightmares with them in the past yet that is me. I also consult off and on with a holistic nurse practitioner who also works with conventional medicines. Yet people I know here went on a beta blocker for the shaking and tremors and did well. And I worked with an endocrinologist throughout the whole journey with antithyroid and post RAI for a while. Now I see my Primary Care doctor.
I went on 20 mg of Methimazole September 2010. The endocrinologist wanted me on 40 mg and I said I do not want that much as I’m very sensitive to medications and wanted to start out lower.
I had miserable itching and hives for 3 weeks. I reduced down to 10 mg of Methimazole per checking with my endocrinologist. I was taking benedryl every single night. On the 10 mg the itching and hives finally stopped yet it was not helping me for a few weeks as I was still hyperthyroid. I went on 20 mg of Methimazole for 3 months in Winter 2011 and that time around no itching or hives (except for the joint pain and mood swings), and I gained tons of weight; went very hypo, reduced to 15 mg then to 10 mg. I did not go on PTU because I read that if you have reactions to one antithyroid, then 50% chance that there may be a reaction to another. I hung in there only because I did not want RAI. Now I look back as for myself I had 2 years of misery on Methimazole, I can sincerely say for treating my horrible Graves symptoms I should have done the RAI to start. Yet I was worse than many starting out as I know of people who have achieved remission with antithyroid drugs or are on a very small maintenance dosage. I was told for a few years I was slightly “hyperthyroid” by TSH testing alone. If I had known that FT3 should have been tested back then and was diagnosed with Graves sooner, maybe I would have been one of the success stories having remission on antithyroid. Yet what I did through this journey was work very closely with my doctors and the last year I was being tested every month because my levels were going up and down so much on even the slightest change in Methimazole dosage. I’m still being tested frequently yet now I am up to every 6 weeks post RAI just about a year now and eventually I will be balanced completely as I see that day coming soon. It does get better; at least it did for myself. Like Kimberly said if the reactions to antithyroid are severe than a new plan of action has to be considered as per consulting with your doctor. Wasn’t an easy 3 year journey yet there is now a light at the end of the tunnel. Working closely with a good endocrinologist you will get there yet it can take a lot of time and patience.

Best of luck and please keep us posted.

Beach

[Author]

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