[Ski]

#1071776

Hi Tonya,

Let’s see ~ as far as side effects, methimazole rarely causes a reduction in white blood cell count, and in some people can cause liver damage. These are usually tested for regularly as you take the medication, and from what I understand, while the side effects can crop up any time, if they do not occur quickly after starting to take the med, there may be a better chance that you will not experience them. In addition, you typically end up taking a rather small, "maintenance" dose after you are under control, and the lower the dose, the less likely the side effects are as well. Oh, and if you do get a bad side effect on methimazole, you can try PTU and see if that works better for you.

You DO need to take the medication consistently, or you’re asking for trouble. It needs to build up in a well-managed way in order to do the best job it can for you.

The percentage of uptake is not equated directly to "how sick you are." It really only gives the doctors an idea of what dose of RAI they would give you, if you want to go with that, and the pattern of uptake helps to confirm Graves’. The true test of what’s going on with you is your thyroid hormone levels, measured with blood tests.

Weight gain at regulation is not necessarily a given. You may need to rebuild muscle mass lost while hyperthyroid, so that’d be good weight gain anyway. Talk with a physical therapist once your doctor okays you for exercise.

As far as your eye ~ first, see an ophthalmologist for that, if you haven’t already. The methimazole is not fully proven to help with that, but there is some evidence that it may help reduce the antibody activity overall that brings on the bulging. What we do know is that methimazole is not proven to make it any WORSE, which RAI might do. It’s a small risk, with RAI, but the possibility exists.

Keep asking questions, we’re happy to help!

[Tonya1080]

#1019461

I am 28 years old and was recently diagnosed with graves disease. I am currently taking methimazole, despite the fact that the doctor didnt seem to think there was a high chance of remission. I am just curious as to whether I should give the methimazole a shot or move directly to the RAI. Are there any side effects I should know about? What happens if I dont take the medicine on a consistant basis? How much weight gain is to be expected? My doctor said my thyroid level is relatively high. I cant remember the exact scan levels but the blood test showed that it was functioning at 69%. Does this mean I’ll gain a lot of weight once its regulated? Also my right eye is slightly protruding but its not very noticeable and I have occassional double vision. Does the methimazole help that?

[mamabear]

#1071777

Remission CAN happen…Please look at my signature at the bottom of this post!!!
Doesn’t mean it will for you but I want you to have hope that it will!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You can only try it to see if it will happen and if it doesn’t well then you can go from there. Sometimes you get lucky and believe me I was lucky. I came out of remission but was put back into it with meds and now again without any meds I am almost 2 years without a problem. I know that there is always a chance it will come back and I will deal with it then.

Taking your medicine is a way of life now, don’t miss the doses. Know that taking your medicine even after you start to feel better is key. Start eating a well balanced diet NOW, when you are hyper we tend to eat more than we are better we are still eating that way thus we tend to gain weight. Like ski said, we will need to gain the weight back if we loose muscle mass and all the good things we have to have. Eating healthy now and checking with the dr. NOW to see if light exercise(no cardiovascular) is ok. Keeping tone if you are healthy enough for it is good. If dr. says no then don’t do it.

If you are looking at getting pregnant please stop trying at least for now till your levels are within normal range. Getting pregnant right now will not be healthy for you or your baby. I know there are some girls that are pregnant and are ok but truly know that there are risks if your levels are wacky.

Laugh as much as you can… that is always good medicine when you aren’t feeling well. Tell your friends and family what you are going through so they know when you snap at them it’s for a reason lol.

[cwilson]

#1071778

Hi,
the best I can tell you is go with your gut feeling. I refused to take the RAI and my doctor told me the same thing. RAI is the best option. It wasn’t for me. I got diagnosed in early Jan with Hyperthyroid(graves disease) and I went to the doctor yesterday and my levels are back to normal and I was taking Methimazole. So go with your gut. That is the best advice I can give you.
Christa

[Author]

Posts