Hives

[OSamPeabody]

Has anyone had any experience with hives while on tapazole? Can you try PTU or is the chance of being allergic to that pretty high as well? Any suggestions?

[GravesLady]

You might try another brand.  I have read where others say hives with one, hives with all. While others say another brand didn't cause repeat hives.  

Some hives are autoimmune and if you are autoimmune, it might not be the meds. but your autoimmun condition instead.  However its worth changing brand to see - PTUs.

Good luck with the change.

[skymax2000]

I got hives too but not with PTU -- worth a try.

[KoalaEm]

I read the Hypo people can have an itchy rash as a symptom.
But if came on suddenly when starting a new med- likely to be the med- so I'd ask the pharmastist and/or GP.
Em

[snappyfam]

Interesting.....I got hives all over my body with PTU....I'm now on Tapazole and fine.  I think it just totally depends on the person!  Good luck.

[hortond]

i have just been diagnosed with Graves and after 1 week on tapazole I developed hives with welts, this lasted 3 weeks but the worst was the first week, I cried I was so itchy, crawling right out of my skin. I dont' want to take an antihistamines, I heard that it can bring on the graves eye disease, so I finially got into see my endo and he switched me to PTU, I have only been on PTU for less then a week and again I have hives and welts. Now what? Is there any other option? If i wasn't so scared about getting the graves eye disease I would tuff it out with some anithistamines but I will not use anything that might bring that eye disease on.

[GravesLady]

"antihistamines bring on the graves eye disease"  that's a first one for me.  Do you mind sharing where you got this information so I can research and added it to my information/notes, if from reptable sources.

Thanks

[hortond]

from the internet and from Elaine Moore's book "graves' Disease, a practical guide" pg 76 under Spastic eye symptoms;

[GravesLady]

I am familiar with her internet works, but never read her book(s). She is not one of my favorites.  Not saying that she doen't have some good info.

I didn't find statements "antihistamines bring on the graves eye disease" in her sites that I have read.

It's antibodies that attack the eyes, but Science does not know what causes autoimmune thyroid or thyroid eye disease - TED.

"This is an autoimmune condition where your body's immune system is producing factors that stimulate enlargement of the muscles that move the eye. This can result in bulging of the eyes, retraction of the lids, double vision, decreased vision, and ocular irritation. This is often associated with abnormalities in thyroid gland function (either too much thyroid (Graves' disease) or too little (Hashimoto's thyroiditis)). The eye findings of thyroid orbitopathy may be independent of treatment of your thyroid abnormalities and may not resolve in spite of the fact that the thyroid is now "controlled." These symptoms may be present even if your thyroid has no apparent problems". Queen's University Ophthalmology - Kingston, Ontario

"Thyroid Eye Disease is an autoimmune eye condition that, while separate from thyroid disease, is often seen in conjunction with Graves' Disease. The condition, however, is seen in people with no other evidence of thyroid dysfunction, and occasionally in patients who have Hashimoto's Disease. Most thyroid patients, however, will not develop thyroid eye disease, and if so, only mildly so."
thyroid-info.com

This is what  I found her to say "Allergies trigger autoimmune diseases, including thyroid eye disease and Graves' disease, and they always cause a worsening of symptoms"

TRIGGERS is the key word.  Is set off (TRIGGERED) but it is not the cause. Triggered due to stress whether physical, mental, health conditions or inviermental, brings on stress that causes GD and factor of TED symptoms.

It is known that  "antihistamines" can cause dry eyes, but not TED.

Here is more of her statements:
"Stress has long been considered the primary trigger of Graves’ disease, including Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO). In both Graves’ hyperthyroidism and the related eye disease, stress can induce disease development and worsen symptoms"

"Certain medications increase light sensitivity, including aspirin, oral contraceptives and many antibiotics, and many medications, including antihistamines, contribute to EYE DRYNESS and its associated symptoms of tearing."

FYI  it is no longer called or considered graves eye disease because people with no thyroid