[kaicee118]

#1073741

Hi – I can’t speak to your issues about changing medication dosage, but I can say that my experience with muscle pain even preceded my Graves diagnosis – but I’m sure that it was the Graves that was causing it, because I know now that when I’m hyperthyroid, sometimes I get serious muscle pain. I describe it as feeling like I have the flu.

It was so bad for a while that I have been treated for fibromyalgia, and I still take medication (Lyrica) for that. I may not truly have fibro, but the Lyrica helps with the muscle pain.

I’m glad you have found a good endo in an unfamiliar place! Best of luck to you…

Karen

[Jake_George]

#1073742

Hi and welcome MW.

When we are hyper with Graves’ disease we experience muscle mass and bone mass loss. Those two things by themselves are enough to cause muscle pains. They will get better as your levels even out. This will take time. We have to remember we do not get to the point we are at overnight. We do not get better overnight.

As for the RAI. It will depend on the dose you are given, how long and what precautions you will need to take. Generally it is three to four days staying at least six feet away. No sharing food or plates, eating with plastic on paper plates preferred. Not sharing a bathroom and flushing at least three times after each use. Sleeping on a sheet and washing the sheet daily in hot water with a double rinse.

Other than that the doctor should tell you exactly what to do.

[mwshore121]

#1019731

Hey everyone,

I’m new to your forum, but unfortunately not to being diagnosed with Graves. I was in remission from 6/07 – 6/08, but it returned with a vengeance. I am currently living in Korea and have found a great Endo. I am waiting for my levels to even out so that I can try the RAI treatment. I have been very hyper, and was on Methimazole 30mg morning and night(60 total) and also on Atenolol. Now, I’ve suddenly been cut back to 10mg a day and I’m having trouble adjusting. I am currently having lower back pain, occasional pain in my thigh and just feel exhausted all the time. I have recently been diagnosed with costochondritis, so my right rib area hurts as well. I have also noticed that there are periods during the day that my blood pressure drops, which is a huge change. Has anyone ever changed their dosage so drastically and had as many "issues" as I’m having? Could the muscle/joint pain be related to GD? One more question, I have a 4 y.o. son and am wondering how long I’ll have to be away from him when I have RAI. I think I understood approx 3 days? Sorry for all the questions, but I’m glad I found this site! Fighting this disease again has been a lonely battle for me. My hubby travels lots and living in a foreign country(just moved here in Aug) with few friends and no family is tough. I’m not glad to see there are others out there with this disease, but I am glad to see from the posts that I’m not alone. THANKS!

[dewdrops]

#1073743

mwshore121 wrote:I have recently been diagnosed with costochondritis, so my right rib area hurts as well. I have also noticed that there are periods during the day that my blood pressure drops, which is a huge change. Has anyone ever changed their dosage so drastically and had as many "issues" as I’m having? Could the muscle/joint pain be related to GD?

I was diagnosed with GD in 2004, but the pain in my ribs began in 2001.
It began as a recurring cramping pain that "seized" me and took my breath away.
My endo looked at my medical records and attributed the recurring pain to an undiagnosed case of GD.
Between 2004 and 2006, I suffered severe muscle seizures in all muscle groups below the neck about 5-8 times a day.
I felt like my legs and arms were being wrenched out of their sockets.
I was under observation in a hospital and they did all sorts of tests.
Eventually, the muscle seizures were pinned down to the rapid fluctuation of my thyroid hormone levels.
In my case, rapid fluctuations were triggered by : physical fatigue (even just light walking), emotional stress (hearing someone shout at me), sudden heat (like stepping into a garage where car motors are running), and adjustments to my medication.
The rapid fluctuation of thyroid hormone levels can set off an electrolyte imbalance that can cause muscle pain, or in my case, an abnormal brain chemistry that mimicked epilepsy.
From time to time, I still feel muscle and joint pain that takes my breath away, but it is no longer as severe as it used to be after I took my RAI.

[dewdrops]

#1073744

Jake George wrote:When we are hyper with Graves’ disease we experience muscle mass and bone mass loss. Those two things by themselves are enough to cause muscle pains.

This really sounds consistent with costochondritis. I was not diagnosed with this specific condition, but I know someone who was, because of muscle mass loss.

[Author]

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