Methimazole for Hyperthyroidism User Reviews (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 15, 2021

"I was diagnosed with Graves disease in 2017. I was misdiagnosed with preeclampsia during pregnancy. By the time my doctors figured out I had Graves disease my TSH/T3/T4 levels were way out of range and my symptoms very severe. My resting HR had gone from 50 to 120 and my blood pressure went from 100/70 to 160/100. I was a runner and could barely walk up the stairs. I started on 20 mg per day of Methimazole and metoprolol. Most of symptoms subsided in a few weeks. My heart rate returned to normal and I was able to go off of metoprolol permanently. However I developed asthma shortly after starting methimazole and still have it. I constantly roller coaster hypo/hyper. My T3/T4 levels have been normal several times (net my TSH though). Methimazole has been reduced to 5 mg per day, a few times, but then end up having to increase again. My new goal is to cure naturally (while still taking methimazole) I am reading a book by Isabella Wetz. I have noticed eliminating sugar and gluten HELPS! so far"

• Outof...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2022

"1. This is not the first time that I have been given a medication that caused more issues than it helped me. This is why I don't usually trust primary care providers to give me the right medicine anymore. 2. Taking this pill every 8 hours is impossible, it actually caused insomnia and completely destroyed my circadian rhythm trying to take this medication on time. Do you know anyone who stays up 16 hours to take the second pill and then sleep on time enough to catch 8 hours of sleep before the third pill? Yep, me neither... 2. I had side effects including: Insomnia, itching, severe abdominal pain, trouble pe, asthma, allergies, anxiety, severe muscle pain, joint pain, increased blood pressure, and high risk of anaphylaxis. 3. I had to get myself off the medication because the symptoms were unbearable. My glands swelled up! This is the first time this happened since taking the medicine! I am on half a pill a day and it helps with the glands to swell less, but I am still MISERABLE."

• Srt
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 14, 2021

"I feel like this is a miracle drug so far. I was diagnosed with Graves disease and have been on methimazole for 3 weeks now. I had headaches for a few days and a few stomach issues but my labs at the 2 week mark show it has brought everything but TSH down to almost normal. I am on 40mg per day and 50mg of metroplol. I was desperate for any help up to the point I finally got in to see an Endocrinologist. I haven't heard about a tapering dose yet but wow! what a drastic change in such a short time."

• Abdel
• December 21, 2020

"I was diagnosed back in 2016 with Hyperthyroidism but felt I had graves disease for most of my adulthood (fatigue,heat intolerance etc), I had not taken this drug to any significant time until 2020. I came to realise that weight gain issues aren't as important as having heart failure so I have been now finely committed to having more weight but mainly muscles, less grave's looks appearances, can do more without getting exhausted. I wish I wasn't stubborn with tapazole back in 2016"

• RoG
• November 15, 2020

"1st diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism Graves disease in 2016. Symptoms were mild occasional palpitations, weight loss, felt hungry, anxiety, warm, headaches. Endocrinologist started on 10mg. Immediately gained weight but since heart palpitations were occurring was advised to work out less. Also noticed leg back muscle pain, fatigue, itchy skin. Lowered dose to 5mg 6 months later. Changed to new endocrinologist in 2017, dosage lowered to 2.5mg daily. My weight back to normal, had no symptoms but my TSH was low often less than 0.5. then in 2018 lowered to 2.5mg every other day. In 2019 was advised to stop taking it TSH was at 1.5-2.5. In April 2020 I started to feel heart palpitations, weight loss again consistently felt through summer. Was put back on 5mg daily TSH 0.01. Been back on for 3 months did gain weight but not drastic like before. Felt itching again. I hope my test results in 2 months will allow me to lower the dose again or stop."

• Amano
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 15, 2019

"I got diagnosed with Graves’ disease almost 2 years ago and was prescribed methimazole. Within the first month I gained 10lbs and overall 30lbs. Previously, I maintained my weight and didn’t change my diet. When the doctor had me at 20mg I had severe charley horses to the point where I couldn’t move. When she lowered the dose it went away. I am taking 15 mg currently and aside from it being difficult to lose weight it is fine. I am no longer experiencing shaking, foggy brain or any other symptoms I had with hyperthyroidism. If you watch what you eat and exercise more than usual, I think you would be able to combat some weight gain. I, however, kept things the same and the decrease in my metabolism really hit. If you experience severe muscle pain/ charley horses, consult your doctor because it is probably the methimazole. I took calcium in between my appointment to aid with the pain."

• Don
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2022

"This is horrible meds and no one knows anything about the side effects when asked. Doctors, Pharmacist, Nurse line, ER, even the manufacturer. Started taking 5mg 1 time a day, by the 5th day, the legs hurt, calves had charlie horse symptoms - very hard, feet felt like they were incased in cement, could not even walk. Talked to everyone above and all they could say was it was from the meds. Went off the meds, after 3 days feet were much better. Tried again a week later, 5 days taking, the same thing! This is terrible!"

• Kelly
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 16, 2018

"I was diagnosed with Graves’ disease 2 months ago. I started 20mg of methimazole a day & saw an improvement in my symptoms almost immediately. I had had severe shaking, sweating, night sweats, rapid heart rate. The medicine improved my symptoms by 80%. At about the one month mark, I broke out in a rash/hives all over my neck and chest. It stopped as soon as I stopped the medicine. I took a break from it for a week and just restarted again with 10mg now. Hopefully, the hives don’t come back because other than that, this medicine has helped me a lot & I would like to continue taking it!"

• KCJ
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 27, 2022

"I have been taking methimazole for almost 2 weeks. 30 mg a day. Day 7 this medication made me so nauseous till I would throw up. My doctor told me I could split the doses up to help with the nausea. I now take 10 mg 3 times a day and the nausea has gone away. I have been weighing myself bc the doctor say the meds can cause weight gain but I haven’t gained any. I had horrible night sweats and rapid heartbeat and both have almost ceased. I do have a little more energy but I find I’m more irritable. I get my first blood drawn in a few weeks so hopefully things are stable. My tsh was .01, T3 12.8, T4. 4.14 so I was definitely hyper."

• Fundo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 28, 2020

"I was diagnosed with Graves disease on Halloween 2019. Been taking methimazole ever since. Started out taking 10mg twice a day. Now, my endocrinologist has switched me the 5 mg every other day. I feel better, but get crazy dizzy spells. I also get a little stomach pain, but after awhile it goes away. I also get crazy back cramps that feels like labor!!!!!!!!"

• Ended...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 1, 2021

"Newly diagnosed with hyperthyroid, I was prescribed methimazole. Just a couple of hours after first dose I was the ER due to allergic reaction. My tongue and throat were swollen to the extent that breathing was getting difficult. They gave me two epinephrine injections, steriods, etc to bring the swelling down so that I could breathe. I ended up staying overnight and as I write this, am trying to get checked out! I have an appointment with the Endo tomorrow and don't know what I will do. This was one frightening experience and I am leery of the other drug. I will only try it in a physicians office where the epi pen is available and someone who knows how to use it. I said I didn't want the iodine or surgery. After this -- I'm wide open to either. This scared the living hell out of me."

• gmom
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2018

"I was diagnosed with hyperthyriodism 2 months ago. Numbers were not that elevated, just a little over the normal limits. I was prescribed Methimazole 5 mg. I started taking this medicine in the evening before going to bed. I have to admit there were a few times I forgot to take it. I returned to doctor 1 month after starting this medicine, and was having joint pains, muscle aches and so sleepy/tired all day with continuous yawning also. Doctor seemed to think the sleepiness and tiredness was coming from my BP meds since it made my heart rate drop. ( this medicine and the thryroid problems also contributed to make my heart rate drop more-- a few times to below 50 bpm.) Now after taking meds regular the pains, aches and other symptoms have multiplied trememdously."

• Bbmax
• February 2, 2016

"This has been a horrible experience. I could never take the full dose because the stomach issues were horrible. My hair got so dry, that I had to put conditioner on it just to wash it and get my fingers through my hair. Then my hair came out in clumps. So hungry all the time that I would eat things I hated."

• surfe...
• January 7, 2021

"hi this is an update of my hyperthyroidism. I'm at the beginning of month 6. I'm taking 10 mg a day now but I started with 30 mg. With my treatment my side effects started at month 4 with been dizzy all day and feeling like gastro..started having a lot of gas and my stomach make weird noises. I did all the test twice he said I saw all your results and all is good then you have to wait until we finish the treatment it may be the meds. Finally the nausea is gone but still feel my stomach weird sometimes and also some tingling. Also few days ago I got some red bumps allergy in my right arm but very mild but is almost going away. About the weight gain I got 20 pounds but I started to getting back to normal once they lower the meds. no more water retention. Just to finish I ask you to put the time when your side effects started because in the pharmacy they said the side effects are at beginning of treatment but I doubt it. So thats why put the time frame so we can all compare. Cheers"

• Elise
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 5, 2018

"I do not like methimazole. I have been on it for 6 months and my labs came back normal only one out of the six months. I was still told from the doctor to keep taking. This drug has been very hard on my teeth and I can't stand the weight gain and hair loss. I'm not having my thyroid removed or radioactive iodine stuff at this time and also I'm being told hyperthyroidism is sending me into early menopause. So I am having my battles with the disease as well as the side effects from the methimazole. If you can avoid do not STRESS!!!!!!"

• Tracy
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 3, 2019

"I have been taking this medicine every day since July 2016. I have Graves’ disease. I have gained 15 lbs in 2.5 years, I have heavy periods now that last more than 8 days, my hair is thin, my skin looks like rubbish and my joints on my hands and feet hurt I also have brain fog now. I hate this medicine but I take it everyday to avoid radioactive iodine. Really not simple solutions for people like me who have graves disease."

• Zanie...
• August 20, 2016

"I just started taking Methimazole and I don't like how I feel. My back hurts, right hand near my little finger gets sharp pains shooting through it I can't eat because I'm nauseated all the time. I get dizzy and can't focus. Looked at the side affects and I have a few of them, I don't like that."

• Cripp...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2019

"I have had hyperthyroidism for 3-4 months now and started taking Methimazole about 4 weeks ago at 15 mg 1 per day. My doc said my hyper was moderate but I found my symptoms debilitating. Within a week of taking Methimazole I started feeling better and was 80% better by week 3. Now at week 4, I suddenly developed a crippling muscle/ nerve pain in my entire left hip and thigh area that radiates down to toes where it’s numb. It hurts constantly and is so bad I can’t stand up without excruciating pain. It has been like this for 20 hours now. I am stopping the meds immediately and want to know when the pain will go away?"

• 2019 ...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 17, 2022

"I was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid/ Grave's Disease ( 2019 ) I was put on Methimazole ( 10 mg ) 1 a day every day and now just about 3 years later I am on 5 mg once a day. I did notice having an overactive thyroid I was losing hair when my thyroid levels were becoming more normal with Methimazole it slowed down drastically. I personally broke down T4, T3, TSH to nourish all 3 separately for better readings. I had to change my eating habits and stick to my plan. I am now in control of my T4 and T3 and working on my TSH. It is a lot of discipline and hard work to change and keep the proper eating habits but it has definitely improved my readings. My Dr. and I have already discussed RAI pill if needed because for me surgery is not an option. As far as Methimazole I have not had side effects."

• Talynn
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 7, 2020

"I got a prescribed methimazole for Graves disease. Took the medication like I was supposed to and everything seems to be fine except for some side effects which is hair loss weight gain and sweating. But I do wonder if there is another medication like could put me on so I could lose more weight."

• GoodG...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 11, 2022

"I love and hate methimazole. I love that it effectively keeps my flu like symptoms, mood swings, and anxiety attacks under control. I HATE that I let this drug get me so sick just because it was “the lesser of two evils” for so long. 2 months after starting low dose of 5mg I started getting regular lower abdominal pain, dizziness, muscle pain, peripheral neuropathy. Now, 7 years later my body has finally said enough. I am so nauseous and dizzy and anxious I can’t go out of my house. I have swollen glands in my neck that are painful and I pee all night long. My recent symptoms have gotten much worse lately and I’m getting my thyroid removed soon so that I can get off this drug. Praying whatever drug I’ll need to be on next will at least be a little better than this."

• BabyG...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2019

"I took this medication and immediately felt a difference. Unfortunately after only 4 doses I had severe reactions. Pain in neck, chest and left arm with numbness and tingling in finger tips. Rash on face with itching and burning. I discontinued medication and was placed on another. I do believe if I didn't have such a bad reaction it would have worked. I just have to have use of my arm."

• Drema...
• October 16, 2020

"I was diagnosed 3 months ago with hyperthyroidism and have been taking 20mg of Methimazole daily. I had lost 65lbs before taking the meds and have since put on 25lbs. I have been hit with many side effects after about a month of taking meds. I am hungry every 2 to 3 hours and the stomach pain I get is unbearable. I get bad nausea where I have to throw up. The nerves in my legs and whole body are really bad. I twitch so bad at night that my girl has to sleep in another bed. I can't sit still while watching tv. I get the shakes in my hands and legs. My stool is really black and my heart feels like it's coming out of my chest sometimes. My hands and arms get tingling and my voice is hoarse. I go see my Dr. next week and I will tell him he has to change the dosage or change the medication. I worry about what it's doing to my body. I work out 4 to 5 days a weeks to maintain the my weight."

• Stuck...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2020

"I am type 1 diabetic for 40 years and was just diagnosed with mild Graves after a radioactive iodine uptake scan. My free T4 is 2.01, TSH is .02, 6-hour scan was 17, but 24-hour was 37. My endo just prescribed this at 5mg/day. After reading the reviews, I was scared to try the medication; however, the anxiety and palpitations are bad so I’ll give it a shot. If this doesn’t help, I’ll ask for beta blockers until RAI therapy."

• Meggles
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2020

"I started this drug methimazole a week ago on a dose of 60mg/day (the highest prescribed) and today I broke out in a crazy rash all over my body; terrible red bumps that itch like crazy. At first I though it was hives but my doctor said it was a “classic” methimazole reaction. I’m supposed to take a lower dose but now I’m nervous to take it at all which is unfortunate because it was actually doing a good job regulating my heart rate..."