Graves' Disease Support Group

Graves-Basedow disease is a medical disorder that may manifest several different conditions including hyperthyroidism (over activity of thyroid hormone production), infiltrative exophthalmos (protruberance of one or both eyes and associated problems) and infiltrative dermopathy (a skin condition usually of the lower extremities). This disorder is the most common cause of...

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Alcohol and Grave's Medications

facingnorth
facingnorth
What's the lowdown on this? I turned 21 last month and I don't drink often, but last night I had maybe half a beer and today I feel awful. My heart rate seems realllllly slow, and I'm currently taking methimazole and propranolol. Of course, my endocrinologist's office is closed on Thursdays (?) so I can't ask her. Advice? I feel pretty poorly : (
deleted_user
deleted_user
It never effected me. But I was drinking long before I was diagnosed. You might want to make sure to try taking the drinking thing slowly. You are too young to have a tolerence to it yet.

Oh and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dairytech
dairytech
While I was on medication with PTU I only had the odd glass of wine. Alcohol goes to my head really quickly so it dosnt take much to feel it. I think if you have the odd glass it should be okay but I wouldnt make it a regular practice. Big Hugs...Kathy
deleted_user
deleted_user
It may or may not be related to the alchohol. Many of us don't need to stay on the beta blaocker long term once the meds take effect. Maybe you have induced low blood pressure/pulse. I would go to a CVS or walmart and take your blood pressure. I'd also count your HR. If it's under 60 during rest, that's usually a sign that it's too low.
facingnorth
facingnorth
thanks you guys, your responses were very helpful. I think I'll stay away from the alcohol for a while, I don't like it too much as it is anyway :)

also, in relation to the beta blockers, I've only been off them once since I went on them and I had the worst racing pulse; I had to go to the hospital. since then, I haven't tried going off them. I'm not sure how to.
deleted_user
deleted_user
When the time comes that you do get off the beta blocker it will be a weaning off kind of thing. I haven't taken them regularly in quite some time now, but I do still have tachycardia and palps from time to time so my Endo told me to take 1/2 of one of my 10mg Atanolol when I do and that does the trick.

On the drinking side of things......When you do decide to have a drink here or there be sure you have eaten before hand and you aren't as likely to get that next day sick feeling. I don't drink often but when I do I use this trick and never have even a little hangover :~)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!
mmztcass
mmztcass
When going off of the Atenolol, I was using a part of a 25 mg pill. I slowly weaned down by gradually cutting back an 1/8 of a pill every couple of weeks. I got down as low as 3.125 mg per day. Then I started going every other day with this, then every two days, then every three days, etc. until it was a week. Then I stopped.

The Atenolol was not a slow release pill.

{{{hugs}}}