[adenure]

in reply to: Pregnancy and PTU / 17 weeks #1171577

I just wanted to say Congratulations! Pretty soon (within a few weeks) you’ll be able to get your 19/20 week ultrasound and that should help ease some concerns hopefully about your baby’s development. I know there is a more sensitive ultrasound that is done on mothers who are 35 or older; maybe you could ask about having that one given your circumstances? I’m not sure if it would be of any help regarding thyroid issues, but it couldn’t hurt to ask.

I wasn’t diagnosed with Graves until recently- after the birth of my 4 boys- so, I can’t say much about ATD’s and pregnancy. As far as breastfeeding though, know that either drug is okay for nursing. I’m nursing my 5 mo. old on methimazole (5 mg.)– up to 20 mg. is deemed safe- although monitoring your infant’s blood levels is recommended- every 3 mo.

One of my friends is a lactation consultant for LLL and she had 4 babies while dealing with Graves and took PTU- all of her children are healthy with no thyroid issues. She also breastfed them while on treatment.

Alexis

[adenure]

in reply to: New for forum, diagnosed with Graves and Hyperactive thyroid #1171570

Hi!

I too would encourage you to start treatment as soon as you can. Is surgery out of the question for you? I think our levels are supposed to be within range for surgery, but I think in some circumstances, surgery can still be performed after being given something to help with heart rate. I forget what it is now- potassium iodide maybe?

It sounds like your reaction to methimazole was what would be considered “minor” as opposed to liver issues or problems with white blood cell count. I thought that, as long as the reaction was minor, an endo. would prescribe PTU if a patient wanted to try it. It was just in the case of a severe reaction (liver/ CBC) that the other drug- whichever it is, PTU or methimazole- would not be prescribed. I think PTU has a higher risk of liver problems, but I know that methimazole does carry those risks as well. Maybe it’s worth asking about, but in the end, your doctor knows what is best for you.

Alexis

[adenure]

in reply to: Started PTU but levels still increasing? #1171562

Hi Rachael,

I hope everything works out for you. I have a 5 month old and was diagnosed with Graves (for the 1st time) 6 weeks ago- I’m on methimazole instead of PTU (I’m not planning on anymore pregnancies). I also have 3 other boys too. As a side, I was curious if ovarian cysts always need to be removed? I had some pain (on and off- depending on the day) near my ovary and I wasn’t sure what it was. I’m going to my Ob/ Gyn at the end of May to check it out. I didn’t know if surgery was required to resolve a cyst or not. Thanks!

Alexis

[adenure]

in reply to: Diagnosed today #1171438

Yes, I am grateful for what seems to be so far, a good endo. I just have to constantly remind myself to be patient and that it’ll be okay. I know dosage isn’t based on symptoms, but I can’t help but think I might need 10 mg. or maybe 7.5 mg., but I’ll find out come mid-May I guess. I was always grateful for being healthy, strong & athletic before, but you really don’t realize how good you have it until your health goes down hill. Of course, I do realize how good I have it compared to many, many people in this world & I must continue to stay positive and focus on that- even though I have my moments of near despair. I’m grateful for this forum- it is nice to go to and “talk” with others.

Alexis

[adenure]

in reply to: Methimazole & Symptoms #1171557

Thank you!

Alexis

[adenure]

in reply to: Severe Stress due to Selfish Mother – Not good for Graves #1171541

I can’t count out though that my parents will come here, at the drop of a hat, to help. My dad came out for 2 weeks right before I got to see the endo & get medicine- some of my worst moments as far as being hyper goes. He’s going to be 80 years old this year, but he came out here, slept on the couch, and did all he could. It was the greatest gift he could have given me.

Alexis

[adenure]

in reply to: Severe Stress due to Selfish Mother – Not good for Graves #1171540

I’m really sorry. That sucks! It is good that you have a supportive boyfriend though; we have to count our blessings in the good people who will do anything to help and support us. My husband is that person. My in- laws are also very helpful and kind. My parents live on the other side of the country. I know that, as far as my mom goes, when she gets irritable, angry, lashes out, it’s because she loves me a lot and hates to see me unwell. She doesn’t know how to express it very well except in trying to figure out where to pin the blame. My life is busy and can be hectic; I have 4 young boys & I homeschool them all. At one point she said I had too many kids. Well… what am I supposed to do about that exactly Ah well… I know she loves me so much though- it’s more her frustration over not being able to make things right, as all mothers want to do I think.

Alexis

[adenure]

in reply to: A different adverse effect of Methimazole? #1171520

From what I understand, methimazole & PTU are considered D category medicines for pregnancy which would be “positive evidence of risk”, but not X category which contraindicated. I have read of people taking PTU for an entire pregnancy and methimazole for only the 2nd & 3rd trimesters (but not the 1st when the baby is developing all of it’s organs and systems).

As far as breastfeeding, both PTU & methimazole are considered acceptable. Both medicines pass into breastmilk, although PTU’s concentration isn’t as high as methimazole. Per Dr. Thomas Hale (breastfeeding & medicine expert), PTU is considered an L2 drug (safer) and methimazole is considered an L3 (moderately safe). Often, L3 drugs are labeled as such because there hasn’t been a huge base of studies to justify it as L2 or L1 (safest). Methimazole is considered safe for breastfeeding in doses up to 20 mg. It is considered best to avoid nursing for 3 hours after taking the medicine and, for both PTU & methimazole, to test the infant’s TSH levels every 3 months. I am on methimazole (5 mg. daily) and am breastfeeding my 5 month old. The doctor took a baseline of his TSH when I started & he’ll be retested again in 3 months. One of my friends, a lactation consultant for LLL, had 4 children and breastfed them all on both drugs at one time or another for the last 10 years. As a side note, there are medicines that are considered L4 (possibly hazaradous) and L5 (contraindicated) for breastfeeding as well.

My endo gave me the option between the 2 medicines. He said, given the low dose, my baby should be fine with methimazole & the pediatrician agreed. We’ll see, I’m hoping so. Since a baby doesn’t metabolize the drug, he/ she wouldn’t have the liver issue as an issue.

Alexis

[adenure]

in reply to: A different adverse effect of Methimazole? #1171517

I’m only on 5 mg. a day, but no, I haven’t had that happen. I’m glad it got better though for you!

Alexis

[adenure]

in reply to: Long term Methamazole use? #1171479

Thanks, all. My husband would tell you all that I worry too much about everything! True! I’m trying not to as much. One day at a time!

Alexis

[adenure]

in reply to: Long term Methamazole use? #1171475

That really scares me to be honest! I thought that a 5 mg. dose of methimazole, everyday, would be okay as long as my labs look normal (liver function and CBC) and I don’t have the symptoms that indicated liver problems. My endo. said in 12 years, he’s seen it once or twice, but didn’t deter me at all from taking it. He didn’t mention RAI or surgery at all, but I’ve only been dealing with this for 6 weeks, so maybe that’s why. It seems like, even if liver problems were to all of a sudden occur, we would notice it with fever, chills or sore throat, or if we didn’t have symptoms, the labs would show the problem. I think if you stop the meds., the liver normalizes again? I hope you find a solution, and I hope that my body tolerates the meds.!

Alexis

[adenure]

in reply to: Diagnosed today #1171436

I just wanted to say hi! No, we’re not doctors, but yeah, that does sound high! Of course, talking to your doctor is number 1. It is good the pharmacist helped you out, and I do think it’s important that we take as much responsibility for educating ourselves as much as we can so that we can question and understand. Everyone makes mistakes, but is finding another endo. a possibility? If he doesn’t order blood work and “forgot” about your Syntheroid (sp?), that’s not good. I was diagnosed 6 weeks ago and have been prescribed 5 mg. methimazole once daily. My doctor set up a standing blood work/ lab every 2 months for the 1st year of treatment- TSH, Free T4, liver function & CBC. I hope it all works out & you start to feel better soon.

Alexis

[adenure]

in reply to: The Shakes #1171371

Awesome! Yeah, the pound a day thing started after about a month of being hyper; it didn’t last more than a week, as I got into the doctor and started my medicine.- I had lost 13 lbs. in 2 months. I didn’t eat anything for 2 weeks except Ensure because I had NO appetite. Believe me, I wanted to eat, but the nausea from just looking at and smelling food was so intense and I felt like I was going to gag anytime I put food in my mouth. All I could do was drink Ensure. So, that didn’t help matters! Glad to be eating again & I’ve gained 6 lbs. back in the last 6 weeks on the methimazole, so I’m happy! Truth is, I don’t need to gain anymore hee hee!

Alexis

[adenure]

in reply to: Numbness in limbs #1171430

Kimberly,

That’s interesting- I assumed it was the Graves. I haven’t experienced the numbness since starting the methimazole- kind of odd. If it comes back though, I’ll ask the doctor. Another forum (I think Daily Strength- Thyroid/ Graves issues?) had people who experienced the numbness too- especially the left side of the body- weird. I don’t usually go to that forum anymore, as I find this one more user friendly and I like everyone here. But, I had read it initially on my google searches.

Alexis

[adenure]

in reply to: Finally good numbers after 5+ years treatment #1170885

Thank you both! I will try that!

Alexis

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