Aa
medication reactions
Has anyone had a skin pigmentation problem or abnormal hair loss or know of anyone who has had problems after treatment with tapazole(methimazole)?
I am currently undergoing RAI treatment, and before i took my dose (it's a pill, you take it and go home), my symptoms were stacking up high and the doctor wondered if, even on my beta blockers, i would go into thyroid storm before or directly after the treatment. i went on a pretty high dose of Bystolic ( i have asthma, this drug does not provoke the asthma). The endo,gave me, on the day of my treatment, a medrol dose pack (wicked strong steroid), Zophram for nausea, Methimazole to reduce the thyroid production while the rest of the thyroid dumped into my body, and 600 mg motrin 3X daily to combat the side effects of both the RAI AND the "dumping" that could have caused thyroid storm. I'm on day 11 and, other then having some vision problems that were likely caused by the disease itself,and just the same cardiac symptoms i was having (HR of 120 ON the beta blockers, chest cramps and palpitations), I faired it quite well. The isolation is TOUGH but it cab easily become a good reason for the world to just leave you alone for 10-14 days. Oh - the other side effects that were more amusing then troubling: my metabolism doubled and my body was a little tingly for two days. I called my doc, and, as long as the tingling did not come with an even high HR and as long as i was voided my bowels several times a day to keep up with all that eating, i would be fine.
I WAS SCARED TO DEATH of this and it's really not that bad. In fact, there are less risks then surgery, and for some, less risks then methimazole/tapizole. (One is a generic of the other, i believe) those can cause LIVER damage with prolonged use. My liver enzymes were up after 3 sold months of use. it may or may not be related but i opted to try to not be dependent on it. I feel better then i have in a long while but I know that my body is not rid of my thyroid yet. This is more gradual then surgery and your body is not suddenly jerked into another state.
I WAS SCARED TO DEATH of this and it's really not that bad. In fact, there are less risks then surgery, and for some, less risks then methimazole/tapizole. (One is a generic of the other, i believe) those can cause LIVER damage with prolonged use. My liver enzymes were up after 3 sold months of use. it may or may not be related but i opted to try to not be dependent on it. I feel better then i have in a long while but I know that my body is not rid of my thyroid yet. This is more gradual then surgery and your body is not suddenly jerked into another state.
does taking levothyroxine evergive you any negative side afects like mood swings? ever since i have started taking that medication i have never been the same.
I was first diagnosed with graves disease 9 years ago and at that time i was hyperthyroid then i got radioactive iodine treatment two times and it was unsucsesful and then like 1 year ago i started on my own falling into hypothyroid after not being on any meds for over a year. I must say that since then i dont last long on my medication becoouse i start feeling really anxious and jittery and my mood changes alot is that normal
I was first diagnosed with graves disease 9 years ago and at that time i was hyperthyroid then i got radioactive iodine treatment two times and it was unsucsesful and then like 1 year ago i started on my own falling into hypothyroid after not being on any meds for over a year. I must say that since then i dont last long on my medication becoouse i start feeling really anxious and jittery and my mood changes alot is that normal
Did you ever have any negative reactions or side effects from the RAI. Did you take medication(tapazole) first or no? Also, Have you ever heard anything negative about the tapa from other people on the website? Are you on synthroid now?
I am still working on my levels. I got too anxious and over shot my level and it has taking me a long slow journey to getting back. The proper way is to go low and slow, working up to the acceptable dosage to where we feel our best. We are not alike and will not feel the same at the same level. Optimal TSH 1.0 is not for everyone.
Levoxyl is brand name just like synthroid, just different manf., with different fillers and binders. Levoxyl has less then Synthroid.
Levoxyl is brand name just like synthroid, just different manf., with different fillers and binders. Levoxyl has less then Synthroid.
No I never had side effect from RAI. The hypo side after RAI waiting to start meds. and getting levels stable. Never took Tap. I am taking levoxyl which is the same as synthroid.
Other than the less common but serious side effect, I have heard/read where people have had the more common reactions or side effect from Tap such as skin and include rash, itching, hives, abnormal hair loss, and skin pigmentation. Other common side effects are swelling, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, loss of taste, joint or muscle aches, numbness and headache.
Usually RAI is a non-event, meaning that one feels nothing unusual. The side effects are very minimal and are short-termed and may include nausea and vomiting soon after treatment, which usually only lasts for a day or two. In addition, the salivary glands around the jaws and under the tongue might causing painful swelling and enlargement of these glands ( soreness in the throat or neck). This is treated by drinking plenty of fluids, sucking on sour lemon drops in order to stimulate the flow of saliva and occasionally pain medicine like aspirin. As thyroid cells die off, they release their stored hormone into the body all at once, making us more hyper than normal for a few days, this is called "dumping." In some, usually elders, this excess thyroid hormone may overstimulate the heart so doctor prescribe antithyroid drugs for their patients who are about to undergo radioactive iodine treatment in order to prevent this "thyroid storm". Beta blockers such as Propranolol
( Inderal ) is also used for rapid heart rate, irregular heart beat, palpitations, etc.
Some doctors try to adjust the dose of radioactive iodine to destroy only enough of the thyroid gland to bring its hormone production back to normal, without reducing thyroid function too much; others use a larger dose to completely destroy the thyroid. Most of the time, people who undergo this treatment must take thyroid hormone replacement therapy for the rest of their lives Concern that radioactive iodine may cause cancer has never been confirmed. Radioactive iodine is not given to pregnant or nursing women, because it crosses the placenta and enters the milk and may destroy the fetus's or breastfed infant's thyroid gland.
1946 First time RAI was used for thyroid cancer
1951 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved sodium iodide 1-131 (RAI) for use with thyroid patients
RAI has been around a long time!
GL
Please don't shoot the messenger!
Other than the less common but serious side effect, I have heard/read where people have had the more common reactions or side effect from Tap such as skin and include rash, itching, hives, abnormal hair loss, and skin pigmentation. Other common side effects are swelling, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, loss of taste, joint or muscle aches, numbness and headache.
Usually RAI is a non-event, meaning that one feels nothing unusual. The side effects are very minimal and are short-termed and may include nausea and vomiting soon after treatment, which usually only lasts for a day or two. In addition, the salivary glands around the jaws and under the tongue might causing painful swelling and enlargement of these glands ( soreness in the throat or neck). This is treated by drinking plenty of fluids, sucking on sour lemon drops in order to stimulate the flow of saliva and occasionally pain medicine like aspirin. As thyroid cells die off, they release their stored hormone into the body all at once, making us more hyper than normal for a few days, this is called "dumping." In some, usually elders, this excess thyroid hormone may overstimulate the heart so doctor prescribe antithyroid drugs for their patients who are about to undergo radioactive iodine treatment in order to prevent this "thyroid storm". Beta blockers such as Propranolol
( Inderal ) is also used for rapid heart rate, irregular heart beat, palpitations, etc.
Some doctors try to adjust the dose of radioactive iodine to destroy only enough of the thyroid gland to bring its hormone production back to normal, without reducing thyroid function too much; others use a larger dose to completely destroy the thyroid. Most of the time, people who undergo this treatment must take thyroid hormone replacement therapy for the rest of their lives Concern that radioactive iodine may cause cancer has never been confirmed. Radioactive iodine is not given to pregnant or nursing women, because it crosses the placenta and enters the milk and may destroy the fetus's or breastfed infant's thyroid gland.
1946 First time RAI was used for thyroid cancer
1951 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved sodium iodide 1-131 (RAI) for use with thyroid patients
RAI has been around a long time!
GL
Please don't shoot the messenger!
I struggled with hairloss, mine became very fine. i am also very pale but have always been fair skinned. people say i look anemic but my results are fine. my nails are very weak and struggle to grow. i used to get muscle strain a lot too.
Did you have a hard time getting your levels stable? Also, do you take generic or brand name levothyroxine (synthroid)?
You are so correct about Tap and skin pigmentation as a side effect. I just checked my notes. Sorry for the misinformation. You might know this already but in case not below is a little more info.
In hypopigmentation means the body does not produces enough melanin. Albinism for example, is an inherited condition that causes a lack of pigment. So people with albinism typically have light skin, white or pale yellow hair, and light blue or gray eyes. Hypopigmentation spots associated with vitilgo may be caused by an autoimmune disorder. It also has been linked to other conditions such as hyperthyroidism and Addison's Disease, which affects the adrenal gland.
In hyperpigmentation, the body produces too much melanin, causing skin to become darker than usual. Hyperpigmentation can be caused by many factors, from too much sunbathing to drug reactions or poor nutrition.
I had RAI 10 years ago and have not come down with another autoimmune disorders so far.
The issue is that once we have one autoimmune disorder such as Hashi (I have Graves') etc., we are more prone to other autoimmune disorders than the average person. I am not so sure RAI has anything to do with autoimmune disorder per se. The first week or two after RAI the overconcentration of antibodies might be due to the body getting ride of the extra stored thyroid hormone.
GL
In hypopigmentation means the body does not produces enough melanin. Albinism for example, is an inherited condition that causes a lack of pigment. So people with albinism typically have light skin, white or pale yellow hair, and light blue or gray eyes. Hypopigmentation spots associated with vitilgo may be caused by an autoimmune disorder. It also has been linked to other conditions such as hyperthyroidism and Addison's Disease, which affects the adrenal gland.
In hyperpigmentation, the body produces too much melanin, causing skin to become darker than usual. Hyperpigmentation can be caused by many factors, from too much sunbathing to drug reactions or poor nutrition.
I had RAI 10 years ago and have not come down with another autoimmune disorders so far.
The issue is that once we have one autoimmune disorder such as Hashi (I have Graves') etc., we are more prone to other autoimmune disorders than the average person. I am not so sure RAI has anything to do with autoimmune disorder per se. The first week or two after RAI the overconcentration of antibodies might be due to the body getting ride of the extra stored thyroid hormone.
GL
My daughter has just found out that she is hyper and the doctor has started her on tapazole. The online source MedicineNet.com lists rash, itching, hives, abnormal hair loss, and skin pigmentation as side effects. I consider myself auto immune. I have diabetes (type 1) and Hasimotos. I take levothyroxine for that. I also have had problems with skin conditions(hypopigmentation in spots) and wondered if that could be a side effect of tapazole. Of course I also read that RAI can cause an overconcentration of antibodies that can cause other autoimmune disorders. It is hard to know which is better overall!
Which are you referring to, hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation?
I have never read anything about thyroid meds. including Tap to cause skin pigmentation, however it doesn't mean its not there, just that I haven't came across any info relating to the association. However there might be a autoimmune factor.
I am assuming I have hyperpigmentation due to three doctors have questioned my skin color. I tan very dark for being blue eyed blonde American Swede. When I am not tan my skin is light olive and in photos shows up every dark. One doctor asked if I tan through my clothes, another said it was impossible and unnatural to tan so dark, the other one though Addision. I told all of the doctors that my Swedish dad and grandfather were both dark like me, however don't know beyond them. I assume it is genetic due to ancestors.
Are you autoimmune?
I have never read anything about thyroid meds. including Tap to cause skin pigmentation, however it doesn't mean its not there, just that I haven't came across any info relating to the association. However there might be a autoimmune factor.
I am assuming I have hyperpigmentation due to three doctors have questioned my skin color. I tan very dark for being blue eyed blonde American Swede. When I am not tan my skin is light olive and in photos shows up every dark. One doctor asked if I tan through my clothes, another said it was impossible and unnatural to tan so dark, the other one though Addision. I told all of the doctors that my Swedish dad and grandfather were both dark like me, however don't know beyond them. I assume it is genetic due to ancestors.
Are you autoimmune?
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