[adenure]

in reply to: Finally good numbers after 5+ years treatment #1170882

James,

I have searched under your name to find your previous posts, but have been unable to find them. From what I understand, you took methimazole for a long period of time and went into remission. Can you direct me to a post that would summarize your history? I just started taking methimazole 6 weeks ago (5 mg. daily) and am curious about your journey. Everyone is different of course, but I feel as if the ATD is working. My first set of labs since taking the medicine will be in mid- May, so we’ll see. I’m hoping that this works and I’ll get to go into remission. It is a long journey ahead, but reading about success stories gives hope and would be a good thing to hear about. Thanks!

Alexis

[adenure]

in reply to: The Shakes #1171368

I agree about calling everyday to see if there is a cancellation. That’s what I did with Kaiser. There never was one, but one day I got a very nice lady who suggested I ask for an urgent referral (I didn’t realize you could do that!). So, I told my primary my symptoms and she put in the urgent referral- losing a pound day (which was actually happening) probably got me in fast as she had prescribed the beta blocker for my heart rate (although I didn’t take them bc I hovered around the 90’s most of the time). The endo’s office called that day and got me in I think it was 4 days later. The faster you’re on a treatment plan, the better.

Alexis

[adenure]

in reply to: Hello! Newly Diagnosed & New to Forum #1170917

Are you sure it’s methimazole 50 mg. twice a day? Maybe it’s PTU instead? I thought the highest dose of methimazole was 40 mg. once a day and that dose destroys the thyroid? My methimazole dose is 5 mg. once a day.

Alexis

[adenure]

in reply to: The Shakes #1171366

That’s great!!! 😎 Here’s to a good appointment; make a list of questions and concerns to bring with you so you don’t forget anything.

Alexis

[adenure]

in reply to: Numbness in limbs #1171427

Yes, before I started methimazole, my calves, left side of my face, and arms would get numb on and off. I don’t feel it anymore though- probably because of the medicine. It is annoying (just like all the symptoms!)

Alexis

[adenure]

in reply to: Diagnosed as a child..? #1169233

I’m curious about this, as I figured that if someone has a thyroidectomy, he/she takes the synthetic thyroid hormone after and is fine. Wouldn’t the right amount of thyroid hormone make your thyroid levels normal and then you would not have the symptoms of either hyper or hypo thyroidism? I haven’t really researched the surgery much as I’ve been on methimazole for almost 6 weeks (I was just diagnosed 6 weeks ago) and it seems to be working. But, I wondered how the surgery works if I ever had to do it or opted for it. I guess I just assumed that it’s a guaranteed “normalizer”- that synthetic hormones always worked and, with the right dose, your thyroid levels would normalize without any issue. Am I wrong in thinking that?
Forgive me, as I’m pretty new to all this.

Alexis

[adenure]

in reply to: The Shakes #1171357

Gina,

You sound like me! Hee hee! Seriously, I was in my primary doctor’s office in tears asking if I had to treat hyperthyroidism if I had it. I too was hoping it would just go away on it’s own. But, I realized that isn’t going to happen, and it wasn’t worth the risk of continuing the way I was to see what would happen.

If it’s any consolation, my endo. told me he’s only seen the liver issue/ WBC problem once or twice in 12 years of practice. Of course, it only take you or I to be the one person for it to matter, right?! That’s how I felt after I took the Z-pack. I’m on 5 mg. of methimazole daily (5 weeks now). I haven’t had any symptoms as far as liver issues, but when I get my labs done in May, I’ll have a liver function test and CBC done along with the thyroid levels. So, we’ll see…

I never heard that liver failure could occur at anytime. Does he mean that if someone is taking the same dose over a period time and has been fine for a few months that, at any time liver failure could happen (even on that same dose that’s been fine all along?) I could see it possibly happening if a dose is increased- Just curious about that. Ah well… one day at a time, right?

I hope you find the right choice for you.

Alexis

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in reply to: Is it bad to drink coffee #1171381

Hi Darcy,

I understand what you mean about not being as nice to your loved ones. My husband has been a trooper too; he’s really stepped into my routine with the boys and the house to help a lot. His work has been super nice and has let him work from home on my really bad days. Fortunately, those only lasted 2 months (only– haha- kind of funny because 2 months when you feel really crappy seems like an eternity. Although I know people who have felt worse and longer). I’m still doing my best, but it isn’t MY best if you know what I mean. My boys understand that I’m sick and it will be some time before I’m better. I explained it to them that my illness is “awake” right now and I’m taking medicine to try and make it go “to sleep” so that I can feel like myself again and be able to do all that we used to do (trips to the zoo, museums etc etc). If I didn’t have my husband and family support, seriously, I have no idea what I’d do. It would be too much. My heart goes out to those who are dealing with this and any sickness alone. Well, the boys want me to play hide and seek! Time to count!

Alexis

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in reply to: The Shakes #1171355

Hi Gina!

I know it’s all overwhelming. I was really scared to start taking the methimazole bc of all I read about possible side effects. I’m pretty sensitive to medicine in general and had just gotten over a horrendous allergic reaction/ intolerance to the Z-pack (I was the rare percentage!) which took 2 weeks to get out of my system. So, the thought of taking another drug that could mess me up was nerve wracking. But, I did know that the quickest way to getting better was getting on a treatment path, and medicine seemed to be the best way to go as a first means of attack! So, there I sat with my husband, dad, and 4 kids watching me as took the medicine, sitting there waiting for something crazy to happen. 😮 Fortunately, all seems to be going well so far! I get my labs drawn mid- May, so we’ll see… But, I would say, bite the bullet, and if your doctor is okay with it, try the meds. first. They seem to be the least invasive and could get you on the path to wellness while you consider long term ATD use or the other options in the mean time. Don’t wait though, get on the path to making things right for your body.

Alexis

[adenure]

in reply to: Is it bad to drink coffee #1171378

I used to drink a cup in the morning to get me going, but once the hyper symptoms kicked in a few months back, I didn’t want any coffee! Now that my symptoms are under control (although I haven’t had my labs yet) being on the methimazole for 5 weeks, I still am reluctant to drink much. If my husband gets a Starbucks, I’ll take a few sips. I did buy decaf. Via from Starbucks and will sometimes put in 1/2 a packet of the caffeinated stuff if I’m tired. I’m trying to help my body the best I can by not stimulating it with any caffeine (aside from chocolate ). I’ve cut out sushi, seafood, and have cut down on dairy. I imagine it’s not too big of a deal to have a cup a day. The one thing I cut out completely was my occasional glass of wine as methimazole is metabolized by the liver and carries the possibility of liver issues- so, I don’t have any alcohol and take ibuprofen if I need a pain reliever as it’s metabolized through the kidneys instead of the liver (like Tylenol is).

Alexis

[adenure]

in reply to: Depression #1171332

One other thought I had was how is your sleep? Between Graves & having a baby, I know sleep is tough! Insomnia was one of my worst symptoms (it’s getting better now), and of course having a baby up at night to breastfeed makes it hard too. When I’m seriously sleep deprived, life can seem pretty difficult- more so than when I’m rested. Maybe the depression is, in part, from not getting enough sleep? My doctor told me that taking 25 mg. of Benadryl (anihistamine only) would be okay with my ATD & breastfeeding. I’ve taken it 6 times in the last 2 months when I’ve literally had NO sleep or only 2-3 hours for a few nights in a row. It makes me groggy enough to get good sleep and I’m still awake enough to breastfeed when I need to, but I can get back to sleep easier. Obviously, I wouldn’t cosleep when I take the Benadryl, but when you really need some decent sleep, it can help a lot.

Alexis

[adenure]

in reply to: diagnosed with Graves Disease Today..4-20-12 #1171311

My endo. said that as long as my heart rate (resting) was below 100 and I wasn’t having anxiety issues, I didn’t need to take a beta blocker (although my primary did prescribe one if I decided to take it). In the end, I didn’t take the beta blocker as my heart rate hovered in the 80’s & 90’s while I was waiting for the methimazole to start working. Yeah, I did have anxiety… but, I just dealt with it. I didn’t have panic attacks, but I was anxious. The methimazole has worked for me in those areas though as my resting heart rate is back to around 62 (my normal) and the anxiety is gone.

Alexis

[adenure]

in reply to: Depression #1171331

Hi!

I just posted on my thread in response to your post. I did experience a lot of anxiety and panicky feelings, and moments of despair before I started the methimazole and when the Graves was in full swing. Now that I’ve been on the methimazole for 5 weeks, the anxiety, panic, and despair have all gone away. It took about 2 weeks after starting the medicine to start feeling some improvement. It’s been in the last week that I’ve started to feel more like my old self again. So, I do think that the hyperthyroid can cause a lot of mental distress and probably depression as well. Hopefully once the PTU kicks in for you, you’ll start feeling better physically, emotionally & mentally. I know that’s how it’s been for me so far on the methimazole. I’m hoping my body continues to tolerate the drug and my numbers look good in May. Do you think your depression could be PPD? I had PPD with my 1st, but this was different; my issues in the last few months were definitely related to the Graves, and not because of having a baby. I hope you feel better soon- stay positive & take one day at a time.

Alexis

[adenure]

in reply to: Hello! Newly Diagnosed & New to Forum #1170912

Hi JML55,

Welcome I’m breastfeeding too and am taking methimazole. Just in case you ever needed to switch meds, methimazole is considered safe for breastfeeding (up to 20 mg. daily). I take 5 mg. It is an L3 and not an L2 (like PTU), but it is still considered safe. Also know that many times, a medicine is considered L3 because the studies aren’t as prevalent as with an L2 (or L1 medicine). My pediatrician did a lab for my baby to establish a base line of his TSH and he’ll have his blood done again in a month or 2 to make sure everything is okay, but she said (as well as my endo) that it shouldn’t cause any problems. Our babies wouldn’t have any liver issues to worry about because they don’t actually metabolize the drug. Also, a friend of mine who is a LLL consultant breastfed all 4 babies on both methimazole & PTU at one time or another & they are all fine.

I started to feel a little better after 2 weeks on the methimazole, but I can say that it’s only been in the last few days (5 weeks into treatment) that I’m starting to feel better all around, more like my old self, but not completely.) I’m hoping that in mid-May when I get my labs done, my numbers will show improvement. The hardest thing is being patient and realizing it’s a long journey. Try to stay positive and take each day at a time- accept any help that anyone is willing to give. I couldn’t have made it through the last 2 months without my family & in-law’s help and my husband too. I was pretty useless for a good month- almost 2 months before I got on the methimazole and it started to work. I have 3 other boys besides my 5 mo. old, so I needed help! Plus I homeschool; fortunately, the boys are ahead in their school, so I was able to take a few weeks off and my mother in law worked with them some & they read a whole lot! But now, I’m able to teach them again about 2 hours a day and they do 2 hours a day of independent work as well. Only one month left in our school year, so fortunately, summer break will be soon upon us!

Do you think your depression is PPD? I had PPD with my 1st son; I never treated it though. Actually, my 2nd son was born 15 1/2 months after my first, and believe it or not, his birth healed me of my PPD! My 1st son’s labor and delivery was traumatic and very difficult- plus, he never was able to breastfeed, so I felt like a total failure as a mom. For me, the hyperthyroidism didn’t make me depressed, but it did make me anxious, panicky, and I felt a lot of despair as if I’d never get better and this would be my life from here on out. It was pretty debilitating for a month or so; that is why I am so grateful for my family. Being on methimazole now, and feeling better, I know that the way I was feeling was due to the hyperthyroid, not any real depression or anxiety separate from Graves. It’s pretty crazy how our thyroids can really mess us up like that. I’m grateful to finally be on a path to wellness & normalcy- here’s to good numbers and tolerating the medicine!

Stay strong and positive & let us know how you’re feeling as the weeks progress.

Alexis

[adenure]

in reply to: diagnosed with Graves Disease Today..4-20-12 #1171307

I hear you there with all those symptoms (minus the eye pain)- plus I would get weird numb sensations in my face, arms & legs that would come & go. When the insomnia was really bad and I could barely function, I would take a 25 mg. of benadryl- just the anisthamine- to get groggy & sleep. My doctor suggested it for a temporary fix; I’ve used it 6 times in the last 2 months. Now (5 weeks into the methimazole) I’m sleeping better– not great, but enough to feel pretty good during the day. I didn’t have to take any Benadryl at all this week- hoping I don’t need it anymore.

Alexis

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