Methimazole and Joint Pain: What Users Say

• Tex...
• January 27, 2020

For Hyperthyroidism "This medicine is brutal. After a short week of Methimazole, I began to start feeling aches in my muscles, nerves, and joints. I am miserable. I’m walking around here like a drunk lady. My head hurts too. My entire body feels like it’s been through a wreck. Dizziness, constipation, headaches, nausea, muscle pain, nerve pain, joint pain. I feel nauseated and dizzy and can’t go poop now! My stomach is feeling so bad. And I feel unwell all day. I’m not sure if I can keep taking this medicine. Has anyone else felt this way? Help me!"

• Hol...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 9, 2020

For Hyperthyroidism "I have been on methimazole for hypothyroidism and Graves' disease for one year now. I have noticed side effects like extreme hair loss, bloating, constipation, upset stomach, fatigue, joint pain, and weight gain. I'm almost in remission now and can't wait to get off methimazole. I have also started seeing a naturopathic doctor and I'm absolutely amazed at the natural health benefits of food for hypothyroidism, I would highly recommend a naturopathic doctor to anyone"

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2019

For Hyperthyroidism "I was prescribed a low dose to treat hyperthyroidism. My T4 and T3 were normal, but TSH was 0.01. After one month, I stopped taking it. Horrible back and joint pain, my hands are numb, constant headache, and weight gain. Can’t recommend this medication."

• Tan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2021

For Hyperthyroidism "After waking up each morning with my right eye swollen, I went to an ophthalmologist and was placed on a prescription eye drop. My condition became worse. I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in September 2020 and had an ultrasound on my thyroid, and thank God no nodules. I was placed on Methimazole 10 mg. It seems like my symptoms have gotten worse, and my thyroid has become slightly bigger. I have night sweats, chronic itchy hives, swollen face, lips, pain in joints, blurred vision, and brittle hair. I was a beautiful woman, however, this condition has extremely altered my appearance. I have an upcoming appointment with an endocrinologist in hopes I can be helped."

• Mik...
• January 6, 2020

For Hyperthyroidism "Diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in August of 2019. First med was 10 mg methimazole daily. Then, 2 months later, upped to 15 mg daily. Most all symptoms subsided. 5 months later, some have started to return. Grumble heart. Sweats, cold clammy hands, and erratic heartbeat. However, it's better than what it was 5 months ago. Have some side effects of mild headache, joint aches, fatigue, and tiredness. Trying to make an appointment back at the endo. I wish it would all stop and go away. Strongly considering RAI or surgery. Just tired of waiting to feel normal."

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

For Hyperthyroidism "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 peeing, 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."

• Tra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 3, 2019

For Hyperthyroidism "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 every day to avoid radioactive iodine. Really not simple solutions for people like me who have Graves’ disease."

• gmo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2018

For Hyperthyroidism "I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism 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 the doctor 1 month after starting this medicine and was having joint pains, muscle aches, and was so sleepy/tired all day with continuous yawning also. The 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 thyroid problems also contributed to making my heart rate drop more-a few times to below 50 bpm.) Now after taking the meds regularly, the pains, aches, and other symptoms have multiplied tremendously."

• Spr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2023

For Hyperthyroidism "I have been taking methimazole daily for hyperthyroid for several months now. I do not know whether I have experienced side effects because I take another drug which also causes joint pain and inflammation. I was already experiencing hair shedding before starting as well, which I think has something to do with my thyroid issue. However, it has helped with the high heart rate that I was experiencing due to the hyperthyroid. Now, several months later, my blood test is indicating that my TSH is actually high, hypo. I will see what my doctor suggests from here."