how to wean off methimazole

When starting medication, your appetite may change, you may be feeling tired, or you could have a change in your bowel movements. It works by making it harder for the body to make thyroid hormone. My doctor took me completely off Methimazole at 1 year with very poor resultsI was off the charts in 2 1/2 weeks and back up to 20MG a day to get me stable. It also offers solutions for some of the common reasons why people quit their thyroid medication, and what to consider if you feel like stopping yours. A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services. They took blood work and X-rays, and this went on for over 4 hours. No chance of a beach here. My tsh leve as of yesterday dropped down to 3.65 so I'm in range again ref range is 0.34-4.82. doc. I feel fine. This list is not complete. Ive had this suggested to me by multiple drs so its not just my current one. Methimazole is usually taken every 8 hours. When I started getting hyper symptoms from armour I tapered slowly and went off but my TSH never sprang back. I'm not on meds yet but I agree with AnnLW. :-). So what I did was to start slow. Am Fam Physician. I just have to say thanks for always replying to my posts. If you lack thyroid hormone for a long period of time, you face the risk of a very dangerous condition called myxedema coma, which can ultimately be fatal. Seems like a harsh reality for you without having bloodwork to evaluate, first. Make sure you get tested monthly while getting weaned off. They told me to do that when I was taking 4 pills a day (20 mg) to get a test. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Press J to jump to the feed. I dont think theres any harm in that as long as they are testing your blood frequently like every month. I am a 52 year old female and I had been on 15MG Methimazole for the over 2 months and my Endo lower the dosage to 10MG (took the And I vote you find another endo even if you do even out - you want someone who knows their stuff to monitor you in case you relapse in the future. My pcp didn't like that. Methimazole prevents the thyroid gland from producing too much thyroid hormone. I don't believe our bodies respond well to abrupt changes. Slowly weaning off or tapering to the right dose is the best method. I agree, doctor should have told you this. If you are hypothyroidwhether due to Hashimoto's, Graves' disease treatment, thyroid surgery, or congenital hypothyroidismfailing to take your thyroid hormone replacement medication can pose many risks to your health. Diabetes Tests And Diagnosis: What To Expect During Your Medical And Physical Examinations? You should not breast-feed while using this medicine. My plan is to try to get down to 10MG per week by May..then 5mg per week by summer and then nothing after that. What Do Herpes Sores Look Like at Different Stages. I have hyper numbers - very low TSH and high/normal T4 and I have the same kind of symptoms you have: freezing cold and sometimes achy legs. But it started about Monday its about five days and the whole week my anxiety is through the roof! Good luck, hope you go into remission! Hi, I have my test results and I am taking 15MG Methimazole a day since 5/25 and the Endo told me to continue taking the same dosage Hi, But yet they tell me I'm hyper. Patient does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. I started out at 30mg a day. Methimazole is used to treat hyperthyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. When I say all is good, my TSH level is still less than .01 but that takes longer to bounce back. Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. It was the Acetyl-L-Carnitine that really worked for me and from other boards seems to work for Graves patients. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. I refused to take blood pressure the whole time. 0.84 t4 sounds pretty low so maybe that was part of the decision? and he said that it could not be my thyroid because the Methimazole will be in my blood for 2-3 weeks. I am currently in a hospital bed recovering from a bilateral thyroidectomy. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially: a blood thinner--warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven; or. brain fog, loss memeory, Phantom touch Help me please, unemployed, GA medicaid. Some people have Graves alone, some have Hashi's alone and some people have both Graves and Hashi's at the same time. I was on 5 mg daily and now my dr halved it to 2.5 daily. So I don't think there is one size fits all but I do believe you need the information from the tests your doc does as well as learning about your body and its symptoms and what works and what doesn't in order to get well. Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim for Skin and Soft Tissue Infections: 1 or 2 Tablets BID? manic bipolar unable to get along with others. He wanted me at 0 TSH. Emerg Med ClinNorth Am. 7 Tips To Manage Heavy, Painful Or Irregular Periods When You Have Hypothyroidism. I now what bugs me, I try to avoid situations, when I can't, I do deep belly breathing (sound weird but I only ever did shallow from mouth to lung breathing, and that is NOT good -check it out, really worth it)I have tried a diet change (gluten free, dairy free) but I do not think it was necessary for me BUT it did make me focus on me and my health ( I am exercising regularly now) which WAS beneficial. I never was given clarity about what "the damage" entailed though:(. The state patrol who should be serving and protecting, was searching to destroy based on my appearance bulging eyes, unable to hold head back and count due to goiter,and the yellowing eyes and tremors crawling skin causes jerking movements. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using methimazole. If you don't feel better after taking your medication for several months, you may need a dose adjustment or a different medicationnot a complete stop of your regimen. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Clearly, there are sensible health reasons to take your prescribed thyroid medication. Some of the effects of skipping or stopping your thyroid medication are obvious, while others are so subtle they can go undiagnosed for years. At my last visit, my Dr suggested seeing if I could wean off my medicine. My levels are going into the hypo range and so my gp told me to stop taking methimazole. If you are feeling unsure about your thyroid medication, it is a good idea to think about the reasons why and to talk about them with your doctor. Good luck!!! It is also used before thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine treatment. Your phone, computer, or another alarm can be programmed to give you a daily reminder. If you want to get notified by every reply to your post, please register. It can take a few days to a few weeks for you to even start noticing a difference in how you feel. I found out the hard way. If there is a contraindication for the use of methimazole, alternative methods to treat hyperthyroidism should be considered after discharge, such as radioactive iodine or surgery. rachelemacd You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis): Consider administration of lithium carbonate 300 mg PO or NG q6h, Maintain lithium level within range of 0.8 to 1.2 mEq/L, Enhanced - and -adrenergic stimulation in the setting of thyroid storm leads to clinical manifestations, Inhibits peripheral conversion of T4 to T3 (3ndB), Effect not demonstrated considerably with other -antagonists, Blocks non-selective -adrenergic receptors to allow for effective treatment of systemic effects, such as tremor, tachycardia, agitation, fever, diaphoresis, psychosis (2nd B), Proper dosing of propranolol is essential because ofdose-dependent effects on inhibition of peripheral conversion of thyroid hormone (> 160 mg/day), and rapid metabolism of the agent in the setting of thyroid storm, Alternative route of propranolol: IV formulation (determine availability at your institution), Test dose: 0.5 to 1 mg as slow IV push administered over 10 minutes, Subsequent doses: 1 to 3 mg IV over 10 to 15 minutes every few hours to desired effect with monitoring of cardiac rhythm, Contraindications to beta blockade: guanethidine or reserpine with close monitoring for hypotension, Depression of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis commonly occurs in the setting of thyroid storm, Additional benefit: inhibition of peripheral conversion of T4 to T3 (3rd B), Can be used to interrupt enterohepatic recirculation of thyroid hormone, leading to decreased circulating levels of thyroid hormone, Dissipation of heat with various cooling modalities for hyperthermia control, Benzodiazepines for control of agitation and to minimize sympathetic outflow. Instructions for Women Pregnant women cannot receive the therapeutic radioactive iodine, since it will harm the fetus. ", Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. I don't believe our bodies respond well to abrupt changes. Okay I didn't know you had completely stopped the Methimazole, but I think you misread what I wrote. Went back to 10mg, after 2 consecutive blood tests were good (12 weeks) and then went to 7.5, just did a another 12 week stint, all is good so went to 5 mg this week (very happy). Be sure to check with your doctor before you stop taking these medicines. It does not stay in the body for 2-3 weeks, this is just not true. swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin. yes. Paying for medications can be stressful. Call your doctor at once if you have: liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). fatigue and hyperthyroidism and Graves' Disease. That is a real challenge but I know one lady with both Graves and Hashi's who got treated by a Naturopath who was able to keep her thyroid levels normal with just the natural methods. Slowly weaning off or tapering to the right dose is the best method. I said ok, not thinking anything of it, but after halving my dose for a few weeks Ive started to feel bad again. DID YOU NOTICE ANXIETY OR RAPID HEARTBEAT OR COULD I BE ANXIOUS ABOUT GETTING OFF THE MEDICATION. These side effects usually mimic the side effects of hypothyroidism, because if you stop taking your medication your body will not be able to produce it naturally for some time. don't know how much more I can take of feeling this way. Hello I'm glad I found this. I had to do the same for 2 weeks and had no withdrawal symptoms and I was on 30mg at the time. There are experiences, however, that may cause you to question the benefits of your medications and not stick with your treatment plan. Unfortunately, there isn't a natural or herbal replacement for thyroid hormone. Couldn't go outside all summer. 0.84 t4 sounds pretty low so maybe that was part of the decision? Takiing Armour (thyroid hormone replacement) has seemed to cause your hyperthyroidism. You can keep your medicine in an obvious place, such as your bedroom or kitchen, or you can use a pill organizer to keep you on track. But have plenty of lab slips on hand and get checked if you feel like hurting someone. This article covers the possible risks of not taking your hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism medication. Helpful - 0 Comment leilajax Gimel is right, it only has a 6 hour half life. I have nevery had anxiety attacks before. Just like a person with type 1 diabetes needs insulin, you need thyroid hormonefor survival. :), The Content on this Site is presented in a summary fashion, and is intended to be used for educational and entertainment purposes only. difficulty swallowing overactive thyroid gland. Cold intolerance is a typical hypo symptom, but I've always had periods of heat intolerance as well and I've not been hyper in the past 12 yrs. appropriate medical assistance immediately. Yes, hair loss (alopecia) is listed as a side effect of methimazole (brand name: Tapazole) and other thyroid medications. But the symptoms and side effects associated with thyroid disease can make it difficult to know whether you feel better overall with or without your thyroid medication. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. unusual bleeding or bruising. The primary mechanism of action of methimazole is to block thyroid hormone production from the thyroid gland. Some clinicians recommend discontinuing methimazole 2-7 days before radioactive iodine; may restart methimazole 3-7 days after radioactive iodine, then generally taper over 4-6 weeks as thyroid function normalizes and radioactive iodine becomes effective. The anxiety and the eye problem could be symptoms of Hyperthyroid, or it might be unrelated. She seems relatively anxious on physical exam, and you note that she is diaphoretic. Please get back to me.. over a year ago. Saturday evening, I took my blood pressure, and the systolic reading was over 200. Worsening of constipation or GI issues. However, since starting to wean off, my numbers have gotten closer to the Hyper T side again. Center for Hormonal Health and Well-Being, Low body temperature;constantly feeling cold, Weight gain; inability to lose weight despite diet and exercise, Infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature labor, Dramatically increased appetite and thirst. The dose is taken in 3 divided doses every 8 hours. I retired in 2015 because I was unable to work. You can think of the mainstay treatment strategies of thyroid storm based on three main goals (what I like to call the 3 Bs of thyroid storm soccer): The agents are discussed below along with some EM pharmacy pearls that may be beneficial to those of you practicing in the emergency department. Im feeling exactly those symptoms minus the weight loss because that hasnt changed on 2.5. A strategy of high MMI doses plus T4 was not used in these patients. [4] You pituitary is trying to tell your thyroid to produce more hormones, but the Methimazole (anti-thyroid med) is preventing your thyroid from working. Your story is exactly like mine. I take 5 mg at night and 2.5 in the morning. Thank God for my good health again. my dr. didnt warn me about any of this I am having a hard time working without panicking and having to leave. Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal. About Us Our Team Annual Report Our Culture Contact Disclosures, ALiEMU ALiEM Cards Chief Resident Incubator Faculty Incubator Wellness Think Tank, ACEP Annals of Emergency Medicine EBSCO Health-DynaMed Plus Essentials of Emergency Medicine SAEM The Teaching CoOp US Acute Care Solutions Western Journal of Emergency Medicine. pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding. I havent tried to wean off before. Version: 4.01. Then and only then did my doc increase my meds and will do bloodwork at 4 weeks instead of the usual 8 weeks. This was very irresponsible of them and I was not able to be well enough to work for a year after that. TSH above 1 is a good place to be in according to my endo. Ok. Are these symtpoms of both hyper and hypo? Patient is a UK registered trade mark. Solomon B, Wartofsky L, Burman K. Adjunctive cholestyramine therapy for thyrotoxicosis. Other than that, he said that they didn't find anything, such as pneumonia. Yes, Ive had doctors try to wean me off twice. We offer this Site AS IS and without any warranties. Seemed like it got stuck or something. A Community for those living with and dealing with Graves' Disease. unusual weight gain. with 87 to 100 percent becoming euthyroid within a few weeks to a few months . By using this Site you agree to the following, By using this Site you agree to the following. The ENT in the group did suppression therapy. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely. Try our Symptom Checker Got any other symptoms? I am also trying to wean off and am having really really really bad anxiety is this normal???? I DONT KNOW IF I COULD STILL BE HYPER.MY LAB RESULTS HAAVE BEEN NORMAL FOR 1 YEAR. I'm very upset because I figure he's the doctor and shouldn't have left that choice up to me. If you have thyroid disease and don't take your prescribed medications to manage it, you can have a number of serious long-term effects. Typical dosing for methimazole The dose of methimazole for adults ranges from 5 to 40 mg by mouth per day depending on how severe your hyperthyroidism is. any responses appreciated thx Lauren, If you go off tapazole cold turkey you can go into a thryoid storm and possibly die it happened to me I had dry heaves bad thank god I made it through the night. She enjoys giving lectures and writing articles for both the lay public and medical audiences. They are still really active so she changed her mind and I am staying on the medication. We disclaim all responsibility for the professional qualifications and licensing of, and services provided by, any physician or other health providers posting on or otherwise referred to on this Site and/or any Third Party Site. This . The screen reading the results was behind me, and I was in a bed. People with Hashi's are extremely sensitive to both the thyroid-blocking meds and the thyroid hormone replacement meds. thanks for letting us know what you have gone through. IS THERE A WEIGHT LOSS PLAN THAT ADDRESSES THYROIDECTOMY - what do you do to lose weight? But he also closely monitored my levels after weaning off, bloodwork once a week for a while to make sure things stayed normal. Posted We disclaim all responsibility for the professional qualifications and licensing of, and services provided by, any physician or other health providers posting on or otherwise referred to on this Site and/or any Third Party Site. Have been on it for 18 months. ALiEM AIR Series | Orthopedics Lower Extremity Module. We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure, Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them. I think it's common to wean off after being in normal range for 12-18 months to see if it's gone into remission, that's what my endocrinologist did the first time my graves was diagnosed. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. We offer this Site AS IS and without any warranties. You should not breast-feed while using methimazole. My gut feeling is that this method seems to make greater ense than the shock and confusion of going 'cold-turkey'. Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. HELP. You should not use methimazole if you are allergic to it, or: To make sure methimazole is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: Using methimazole during pregnancy could harm the unborn baby. yellow eyes or skin. Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice. Most people who have thyroid disease feel better with the appropriate medication. Never disregard the medical advice of your physician or health professional, or delay in seeking such advice, because of something you read on this Site. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. But I was stressing about some dumb things before.

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