[chrish]

#1018486

I was diagnosed with Graves around February this year. My symptoms are VERY mild, just tremors, problems sleeping and mood issues. I chalked it up to menopause. If my primary physician didn’t insist I see an Endo, I wouldn’t have known anything was wrong with me. I started on 10 mg methimazole and my numbers were coming down nicely. My endo asked if I had any other concerns and I showed her the rash I developed. She told me I was allergic to methimazole and suggested RAI. I pushed for PTU and tried that for 5 weeks. Unfortunately my liver enzymes went through the roof, my endo recommended I see a liver specialist. After another 5 weeks, my liver levels are finally normal.

My problem is that I don’t believe that I was ever allergic to the Methimazole. I think that I had Graves Dermopothy. The only place I had the "rash" was on my shins. My endo (so far) has refused to put me back on Methimazole, but I’d like to try it again and look for any "true" signs of an allergy. I am hoping that someone in this forum has had some experience with methimazole allergy and can tell me what to look for.

Christina

[Ski]

#1065197

It can show up as a rash, but you’re right, if the rash was only on your shins, it’s actually more likely pretibial myxedema. Still, did it resolve after you stopped taking the methimazole? That’s something the doctor will consider. The symptoms I’ve heard for allergic reactions are more like hives, all over, and some people have been able to minimize those by keeping the dose low. I would have a very frank discussion with the doctor and ask if they are willing to try again. If you still have the rash on your shins, see a dermatologist and they can confirm the pretibial myxedema, that would definitely help.

[Bobbi]

#1065198

Pretibial myxedema isn’t a rash precisely. It is a thickening of the skin making it appear a bit like orange rind. Yes, it is a bit red, but mine looked more like raised, thick welts, than any rash I’ve ever had. It is possible that it can look like a rash — I don’t know. The thing is, a dermatologist could confirm the diagnosis by taking a skin biopsy of the affected area. Then you would know what you have.

[ewmb]

#1065199

I had an allergic reaction to a filler used in the generic methimazole. You can search my old posts to read about that. When I went on the brand name methimazole my rash went away, it did take several weeks to disappear. I had the rash on my trunk and my legs and it was very itchy. Hopefully you can get this figured out so you can try it again if you want to do that.

ewmb

[chrish]

#1065200

Ski wrote:It can show up as a rash, but you’re right, if the rash was only on your shins, it’s actually more likely pretibial myxedema. Still, did it resolve after you stopped taking the methimazole? That’s something the doctor will consider. The symptoms I’ve heard for allergic reactions are more like hives, all over, and some people have been able to minimize those by keeping the dose low. I would have a very frank discussion with the doctor and ask if they are willing to try again. If you still have the rash on your shins, see a dermatologist and they can confirm the pretibial myxedema, that would definitely help.

Actually, the shin rash persisted after being off Methimazole for four weeks. Finally after at week five with no meds, it stared to clear. I didn’t want to start the PTU until my shins were rash free. If it does come back, I’ll see a dermo so I can get a diagnosis versus just guessing. Thanks for your help!

Christina

[chrish]

#1065201

ewmb wrote:I had an allergic reaction to a filler used in the generic methimazole. You can search my old posts to read about that. When I went on the brand name methimazole my rash went away, it did take several weeks to disappear. I had the rash on my trunk and my legs and it was very itchy. Hopefully you can get this figured out so you can try it again if you want to do that.

ewmb

I never would have considered an allergy to a "filler" and perhaps my Endo wouldn’t have either. That’s a very good point to bring up to her when we discuss further treatment. Thank You!

Christina

[chrish]

#1065202

Bobbi wrote:Pretibial myxedema isn’t a rash precisely. It is a thickening of the skin making it appear a bit like orange rind. Yes, it is a bit red, but mine looked more like raised, thick welts, than any rash I’ve ever had. It is possible that it can look like a rash — I don’t know. The thing is, a dermatologist could confirm the diagnosis by taking a skin biopsy of the affected area. Then you would know what you have.

My "rash" started out red, bumpy and itchy. After about a week, there were no bumps only red puffy raised skin and very little orange peel effect. I almost wish it would come back so I could go to the dermotologist to have it looked at! Thanks for your help.

Christina

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