Methimazole ... what side effects have you noticed from this?

[kidsnchicks]

I've been on Methimazole for about 4 months now.  I'm curious if others have experienced similar side effects as I have.  Please share your experience with me.  Have you experienced changes in mood, sleep, temperature tolerance, bowels, hair loss/growth, or anything else?  Thanks for sharing.

[kidsnchicks]

Noni, you need to have your antibodies tested to confirm whether or not you have Graves' Disease or Hashimoto's if you are hypo.  Its a simple blood test.  Ask your doctor for it.

[noni2009]

Ok. I'm so happy for you that you have looked into this and found it to really be the best option for you because having hyper symptoms are really hell to deal with.

I heard you saying something about anti-bodies. What are those? I haven't had mine checked, on TSH, T4 and T3.
What could testing the anti-bodies determine about a thyroid condition?

Also, is there a test to take that will confirm Graves disease or just hyperthyroid, or what the cause is?

Best to you!! And much comfort to all!!!

[kidsnchicks]

Do I understand you to say that you have both Graves and Hashimotos?  If that is the case, what symptoms were you having between the two?  I ask because I have been having some issues with being terribly sleepy and with my bowels.  I've wondered if I might have both types of antibodies or if it is just adjustment to the methimazole &/or beta blocker.  Just curious.

[cbread]

KNC- Weaning is hard and its important to do it slowly....your body will take some adjustment, but keep getting your bloodwork done. I started on a very high dose, but am now on a pretty low dose of 25mg per week.   Every time I weaned, I felt agitated the first few weeks then leveled out again.

Noni- For me the TT is the best option at this point and I have looked into it. In most foreign countries people stay on methimazole happily for years. I am an unusual Graves patient as I have both antibodies and was hypo for about 9 months before turning hyper almost three years ago.  It's been a wild ride, but at this point I would rather have it out and done with because stress can cause huge flare ups and there is no way to lead a stress free life. Even air travel can put me off balance.  Believe me, not excited about surgery but happy to get this thing out of me and move on!  

Good luck to you both.

[kidsnchicks]

I too have Graves.  I haven't experienced the itching you two have mentioned.  The differences I have noticed are that I can better tolerate the heat and am sleeping better.  I actually felt better when I was taking 30mg/day.  They've cut me back to 15mg/day.  I'm not sure that is the right thing since I am feeling some of the hyper symptoms again.  Normal?  Who knows what normal is anymore.

Did anybody notice anything else?  Do you think the methimazole bould be making me so sleepy?  

[noni2009]

Thanks for responding, Cbread.
Are you sure that you need to have TT? I really hope that you've thought about it and weighed your options.
As far as the moodswings, they're terrible and really can be life altering in the way you handle life's stresses and situations. Because someone may think you're being an a$$ when really you have a medical condition that makes you irritated and very moody.
As for the itching, I was put on Benadryl in the past but it made me so tired that I was not able to do anything. So I just rub cortizone all over and it really helps.
Chamomile tea helps relax me as well and Nighty Night tea.
But yea, confirm that you need a TT because you know, what gave me more hope was reading someone's post that said she had hyperthyroid for about ten years and then it somehow worked itself out.
I wish you much comfort :)