Methimazole and Muscle 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!"

• Ton...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2019

For Hyperthyroidism "I have been on this med for a month now. It has thinned out my hair and made me gain weight. I have never had a weight issue in my life. I have pain in my muscles and tooth sensitivity. I feel tired all the time. I can't wait to get off this med."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 9, 2021

For Hyperthyroidism "I had Graves' disease 25 years ago, and now again. This time, heart palpitations, shaking, hot all the time, lost 18 lbs in one month, sleepless nights. Started on 5 mg methimazole once a day. Immediately I started feeling better. I had hair loss, weight gain, depression, fatigue, and muscle pain. I have been on it for just over 1 year. For the past 4 months, my T3 and T4 have been normal, however, my TSH has dropped to 0.05. When I was taking 2.5 mg, my TSH was 0.30. I have now developed an eczema-type rash on 1 elbow, 1 knee, and on my toe. I think it is too much methimazole, but the doctor feels differently. I am supposed to be taking 5 mg, however, I am only taking 2.5 mg and have noticed my skin getting better. I am also a smoker, and I have found out that smoking can cause Graves' disease. 25 years ago, I was on methimazole for 8 months and quit smoking, Graves went into remission. Trying to quit again. Good luck to all with this disease."

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

For Hyperthyroidism "This is horrible meds, and no one knows anything about the side effects when asked. Doctors, pharmacists, nurse line, ER, even the manufacturer. Started taking 5 mg 1 time a day. By the 5th day, the legs hurt, calves had charley horse symptoms - very hard, feet felt like they were encased 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!"

• Ama...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 15, 2019

For Hyperthyroidism "I got diagnosed with Graves' disease almost 2 years ago and was prescribed methimazole. Within the first month, I gained 10 lbs and overall 30 lbs. Previously, I maintained my weight and didn't change my diet. When the doctor had me at 20 mg, 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 appointments to aid with the pain."

• RoG...
• November 15, 2020

For Hyperthyroidism "1st diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease in 2016. Symptoms were mild, occasional palpitations, weight loss, felt hungry, anxiety, warm, headaches. Endocrinologist started on 10 mg. 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 5 mg 6 months later. Changed to new endocrinologist in 2017, dosage lowered to 2.5 mg daily. My weight back to normal, had no symptoms, but my TSH was low, often less than 0.5. Then in 2018, lowered to 2.5 mg 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 5 mg 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."

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

For Hyperthyroidism "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 crippling muscle/nerve pain in my entire left hip and thigh area that radiates down to my 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?"

• 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."

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

For Hyperthyroidism "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. Two months after starting a low dose of 5 mg, I started getting regular lower abdominal pain, dizziness, muscle pain, and peripheral neuropathy. Now, seven 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."