I've read many posts that helped me so I decided to join. I was recently cut back on my methamazole to 2.5 mgs daily. My lesson learned is all generics are not the same. The 5mg tabs with coating are not intended to be cut. My stomach was burning. I now cut my 10 mg pills into 4 even pieces with a pill cutter. There is no line on the 5 mg and there is on the 10 mg. I found conflicting side effects of the drug from Mayo to WebMD. It's no wonder why since generic companies are varied. If you are asked to go down to a 2.5 dose then look for a line first. 

I have been feeling tired, lisless, sore joints and a rash among other side effects of the drug. When you have been stabilized and start to feel tired, I've learned it's the meds. My endrochronologist confirmed that during my last appointment. Like many others my social life has all but ended. I was hospitalized for emergency surgery last Sunday. My Gyn did not give me my meds so I had not had them for 2 days. Day 3 I was on pain meds and forgot to take the methimazol. The fog in my mind began to lift. I'm now on day 7 and I've gone back on my medication. I found out why I need it after much research. The research was prompted from seeing an MD last Friday. I thought I was getting pneumonia after surgery. He explained why I need methamazole. I confirmed that it blocks the thyroid from overproducing hence causeing the issues from Graves. So I'm back on the meds. I need to ask my endrochronologist if I can try going off of it again on my next appointment. I also read that some people can go off of the medication and be in full remission, some permanent remission after a year or 2. I'm not trying it right now since I was taken off for six months and got sick again. I'll give it a go in September.

The anxiety, shaking of the face, hands, memory loss, and many other side effects are real from this disease. When I first was diagnosed I felt like I was slowly dying. My eyes hurt terribly. I thought I was getting MS so I waited to go to the doctor, that was not a smart move. I waited until it was bad. I had pneumonia, diverdiculitis (sp?), and other big issues. Now it's an occasional cold. I take flu shots and pneumonia shots.

I would not try to control this monster naturally. Methamazole works. It's side effects are certainly better than dealing with the horrible feeling of the disease. Right now I feel fantastic. Praying after a few days the fog and side effects of the medication do not come back. I have hope now that I know some of us will go into remission. Some even permanent. Have faith and hope it's possible.

Someone asked about anxiety. That's real too. I've had to take ativan. If you need them you need them. Like cutting back on any other medication you can too. Although they are addicting, if you're treatment is successful, your body will allow you to naturally cut back. You will not need them. Your body will respond to the meds and you'll naturally start needing them less and less. At least I did. Feeling a bit better as time went by slowly I stopped taking them except at night since the ensomnia was horrible. Now I'm sleeping a bit better. I've been off them now for over a week and do not desire to take them. 

I wish I would have looked for a group like this sooner. Thanks for all of you brave souls that posted. You helped me and I hope to pay it forward. The disease has you wondering. 

Onward and upward. Having a good day and hope for more.