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Thyroid (Expert Forum)
graves disease and severe muscle pain
Answered by
Mark Lupo, M.D. - Thyroid Nodules, Thyroid Cancer, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Thyroid Ultrasound
Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida
Sarasota - FL
Questions in the Thyroid forum are answered by Dr. Mark Lupo. Topics covered include goiter, graves disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, thyroid cancers, thyroiditis, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
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graves disease and severe muscle pain
by ginseng31, Mar 21, 2006 12:00AM
I was diagnosed with Graves at the end of last Sept2005, and put on Tapazole. In Nov, I started getting severe muscle pain in my sides, shoulder and upper arm area - these would be intensely painful, one side at a time, and last from 20-45min. mentioned it to endo - didn't respond, finally went to family doc who suggested switch in meds. Two wks ago, I switched to Propylthyracil. The muscle pain seems to have eased a little (in frequency and intensity), but since switching meds I've had trouble sleeping and my heart rate seems to increase in early morning and late at night. I'm still experiencing a lot of fatigue. Three questions: 1. is this muscle pain likely to be associated with meds? Or something else? and 2. will the trouble sleeping, fatigue, and heart rate symptoms decrease as my body gets used to the Thyracil (I'm on 100mg/day), or should I be concerned about these new symptoms? 3. There has been marked improvement since start of treatment, but I still feel like I have a long road ahead - how much longer till I feel able enough to return to work? I seem to be having lots of trouble getting any answers from either of my docs and would really appreciate some info!!!
Thank you so much!!!!
Thank you so much!!!!
Doctor's Answer
by Mark Lupo, M.D., Mar 21, 2006 12:00AM
, Mar 21, 2006 12:00AM
1) muscle pain likely side effect of antithyroid meds (seen with tapazole and PTU)
2) PTU dose may not be high enough to be as effective as previous dose of tapazole, however increasing the dose may increase the muscle side effects
3) It may take 1-2 months for a dramatic improvement, but in terms of going back to work usually that can be done within a few weeks of proper treatment with anti-thyroid meds and meds like propanolol (or atenolol).
2) PTU dose may not be high enough to be as effective as previous dose of tapazole, however increasing the dose may increase the muscle side effects
3) It may take 1-2 months for a dramatic improvement, but in terms of going back to work usually that can be done within a few weeks of proper treatment with anti-thyroid meds and meds like propanolol (or atenolol).
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