Re: Re:Elaine/Chris Labs Back, Itching, ATD's

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Elaine and for responding. I asked my doctor for the free

thyroid test and he said he does not believe it is a test that tells you

anything. As I've stated before, he has probably been practicing for well

over 45 years and although his philosophy is great on ATD's he is set in his

ways. He said to call him Monday only if the hives get worse. I told him

they have already been getting more unbearable every day and he still doesn't

want to lower me at least not yet. Does it sound too radical if I lower

myself from 30 to 20mgs? My new thing, along with the itching is, muscle

weakness in my left shoulder to elbow and right wrist. If I lower myself and

tell him he may get mad that I would think of such a thing without consulting

him. I'm thinking of just doing it.

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

How long have you been on the meds? 30 mg is the usual starting dose, but at

6-8 weeks, most patients are able to move on to a maintenance dose of

2.5-10.0 mg methimazole daily. If you decide to lower your dose, follow

Jody's advice and do it in small increments. You could always ask to switch

to PTU. You may not have the itching/hives with this med. Take care, Elaine

[Guest guest]

Hi, Elaine,

I have been at 30 mg for 4 weeks. If I wait to see him when he wants to see

me it will be for another 3 weeks (plus about 1 week for lab results) for a

total of 8 weeks at 30.

If alot of patients start at 30 but move to 2.5-10 by 6-8 weeks that would

mean to me that there would be downward increments by the 4th week to arrive

at the above (2.5-10) by 6-8 weeks which would mean I am too high. Does this

mean that most people do not stay on as high a dose for as long as I am as a

rule? I am going to confirm this with a FT4 test I hope to get soon. I am

thinking that maybe my dose is too high rather than having a problem with the

Tap. I'll only know this after I can confirm that I should be on a lower

dose and start decreasing. I can see through others experiences that it makes

the most sense to lower slowly. Thank you for taking the time to respond to

me.

[Guest guest]

Hi, Elaine,

I have been at 30 mg for 4 weeks. If I wait to see him when he wants to see

me it will be for another 3 weeks (plus about 1 week for lab results) for a

total of 8 weeks at 30.

If alot of patients start at 30 but move to 2.5-10 by 6-8 weeks that would

mean to me that there would be downward increments by the 4th week to arrive

at the above (2.5-10) by 6-8 weeks which would mean I am too high. Does this

mean that most people do not stay on as high a dose for as long as I am as a

rule? I am going to confirm this with a FT4 test I hope to get soon. I am

thinking that maybe my dose is too high rather than having a problem with the

Tap. I'll only know this after I can confirm that I should be on a lower

dose and start decreasing. I can see through others experiences that it makes

the most sense to lower slowly. Thank you for taking the time to respond to

me.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Most people stay on 30 mg for 6-8 weeks, or sooner, depending on their labs.

They then slowly decrease their dose, ending up with a maintenance dose they

end up staying on for usually 6-18 months, although some people take longer

to achieve remission. The initial dose is lowered at 6-8 weeks, but it can

take several more weeks to arrive at the maintenance dose that's best for

you. Take care, Elaine

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Most people stay on 30 mg for 6-8 weeks, or sooner, depending on their labs.

They then slowly decrease their dose, ending up with a maintenance dose they

end up staying on for usually 6-18 months, although some people take longer

to achieve remission. The initial dose is lowered at 6-8 weeks, but it can

take several more weeks to arrive at the maintenance dose that's best for

you. Take care, Elaine

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Most people stay on 30 mg for 6-8 weeks, or sooner, depending on their labs.

They then slowly decrease their dose, ending up with a maintenance dose they

end up staying on for usually 6-18 months, although some people take longer

to achieve remission. The initial dose is lowered at 6-8 weeks, but it can

take several more weeks to arrive at the maintenance dose that's best for

you. Take care, Elaine