[obnursenh]

#1060319

Hi again –

Just started methimazole on Saturday – 20mg once daily – and curious how long it takes to see an effect?

Thanks,
Jennifer

[LaurelM]

#1181926

Hi,
The exact answer will be different for everyone but I think generally it will be 3 to 6 weeks to notice an improvement. Your body has to use up all the extra it has made and stored up before you can start getting closer to a normal level. The ATD drugs only block new production. Also, improvement is not the same as feeling well. That may take some additional time. For my first bout with GD, this took about 3 to 4 months and about a year to feel truely well. This time table will be different for everyone depending on how much extra was stored, how well you respond to the meds, your dose, and how long you were hyper and any other issues you. The good news is that you WILL feel better and the ATD give you time to consider all of your options without being rushed to a treatment decision. Best Wishes,

Laurel

[flora]

#1181927

Hi and Welcome to this wonderful place!
For me, I felt pretty terrible for about the first 9 or 10 weeks (even worse, when my doses of Tapazole were changed along the way). But at around Day 65 or 70, I began to notice such welcome improvements that I had thought would never come – my anxiety decreased; some energy and stamina returned; muscle and joint pain subsided; “digestive matters” normalized; and the “happy” that had been completely drained out of me came back. It has taken several months to get to the normal ranges (at 5 mg per day, down from 15 and then 10), with a lot of patience, and support from the people here, required along the way. You’ll get there, too, one option or another.
Best,
Flora

[obnursenh]

#1181928

Thanks friends.

Patience is not my strong point, and this is really challenging me. From the time my initial labs came back on 12/26 and we were pretty sure it was Graves (my Mom has it, too) I have been trying to keep reminding myself that I’m in this for the long haul, and it’s going to be some time before I get back to being me. But it’s soooooooo hard! I know you can all relate. But in November I ran a half marathon, and was running 4-5 times a week — this morning I had to lay on the couch halfway through my kids’ morning routine because I thought I would pass out (why are mornings so much worse anyway??).

Sometimes I think I’m just being a drama queen – I can’t really feel THAT bad, right? But I do! Other times I think – you only feel this bad because you know you have a dx – you didn’t feel this bad until then! But, I only started treatment 5 days ago (12/26 labs were from primary care – dx confirmed 1/10 after endocrinology visit), so I’m sure I was getting sicker in the meantime.

I’m a person who has to be nagged at to take a motrin for a headache. Now I have a cup full of pills to take every morning…

Just having a bad time I guess.

Thanks for your support – I really appreciate it!

-Jennifer

[barbra]

#1181929

Hi Jennifer,

I’m sorry to hear you’re feeling so bad and I know us telling you that it’ll get better is no consolation right now.
We’re all in the same boat, some have been there longer than others, we started the same way, so if you have questions or feel miserable let us know.
The people on this forum are terrific. Believe me, I’ve done my share of whining and complaining here and have always found a sympathetic ear and good answers.
Hopefully in a few short weeks you’ll start to feel that your symptoms are easing up and you can function better.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[Teri_Odegaard]

#1181930

I really do not know where to start. Keep forgetting web page is here.

Doc wanted me to quit smoking no work so what else was I to do with life so am 13 packs a month is like over 20 packs less but things happen did not before I write like thought in head do not sound like am 50 not like this all time normal me can happen less time to let air out to breath I read posts GD different for all of us live alone can take care of self today am 50 goin on 5 but remember all I know think like 5 tho can not like mri no more no more people who know just one thing say nothing rong not give up need answers none there take each breath as it come and what ever come with it cry at times what plan? cant do no more no pity got to be me ask if want help not need no drive some days stay home

sorry bout words no one say if day like mine not happen often

[Teri_Odegaard]

#1181931

Kimberly, I received your email, but I couldn’t go to where it was.

I am okay. Just wanted to find out if any one else had days like I do. After I posted yesterday I had appointment with my doctor. Days like mine only happen maybe 2-3 times a month.

I also have depression, although I honestly don’t know what I am depressed about. My doctor seems to believe my depression is connected with symptoms I have since he and I both know my depression was present before I got GD.

We discussed adding abilify to my list of meds (I detest taking pills).

I’ve always wanted answers since diagnosed, no one seems to have any. “You hear the buzzing in yours ears because you pay attention to it”. “There is no reason for you to have vertigo”. Yet I still want answers.

Yah, I’m okay. I’m the best me I can be at any given time.

[snelsen]

#1181932

Teri. Just a few comments from my own experience. If you look up the definition of the words “vertigo” and of “tinnitus” you will find that they are different. Discuss this with your doc. Many, many, many people have buzzing or different sounds in their ears. This is tinnitus. I have it, have always had it, not a lot to do with it or about it or fix it. That pretty much IS the “answer.”
Vertigo is a different subject.

Sorry about your aversion, or the fact that you hate to take pills, but I hope you can figure out how to get over that. Taking the pills is being kind to yourself and taking care of yourself.

Not going to say much about smoking. YOu’ve heard it all. There are meds to help you, and certainly worth exploring this issue. Everything about smoking is harmful to you, as you already know.

Depression is tough. Hope the Ability helps you.

obnurse-You’ll be back to being “you” again, after you take your ATD
s and made there rest of your decisions of how to treat your Graves’.
Just like Flora, Laurel, barbra, myself and all the rest of us! We’ve all had similar experiences. You will find that when you (we) are hyper, we are very IMPATIENT!!! About every darn thing. You will begin to notice you are feel much more like YOU pretty soon. As has been said, all experiences vary, cause we are different people. I wish you the best! In the dumb journey that we have all taken.
Shirley

[JudyP]

#1181933

I too was just diagnosed last week. I’m frightened and unsure what to expect. The endo prescribed the tapazole so I would feel better in a couple weeks. I fainted a week ago in the morning, I understand the post about the mornings. I was wondering if anyone else feels like they have crushing feelings in their chest with this or lightheadedness and pins and needles in their arms, ringing in ears? I’m not even sure why I feel indigestion . I too was very active over a month ago and now I’m shaky and weak and scared. I had major hair loss back in July 2013 with facial and scalp rash and burning and several periods where I felt shaky and weak. I saw primary care. dermatology, and even rheumatology to check for lupus. And then suddenly 10 days ago these symptoms started and I ended up at primary care and endo for testing. What could cause this? Supplements? I just joined the forum so I will read around, I’m scared like I’m sure many of you are. Please let me know if I will get better.

[Kimberly]

#1181934

@JudyP – Hello and welcome! First, the crushing chest pain is a *very* serious issue that needs to be reported to your doctor ASAP. (Or you can visit the ER or an urgent care center). I would also report the other symptoms that you are experiencing ASAP.

Have you been diagnosed specifically with Graves’ disease? Graves’ is one of many autoimmune diseases; others include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, type I diabetes, and MS. The current theory is that certain individuals are genetically predisposed to getting an autoimmune disease — and then some “trigger” actually activates the disease. Suspected triggers can include viral illness, something in the environment, or physical trauma. It is possible for some people to have hyperthyroidism, but not Graves’ disease – this can happen due to overactive nodules, thyroiditis, or taking excessive supplements with iodine.

Things *do* get better – we have many members here who have been success stories on anti-thyroid drugs like Tapazole. The process definitely takes time and patience, though. Please check back to let us know how you are doing!

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