Muscle Spasms with and without Pyridostigmine (Mestinon)
Have you taken mestinon and experienced muscle spasms? Did your doctor have you suspend the use of the treatment?
Have you noticed muscle spasms even without being on mestinon? Muscle spasms are a reported symptom from those with MG, https://myasthenia-gravis.com/living/coping-with-muscle-cramping.
Jodi, Team Member
I suffered muscle spasm for years , especially at night before my diagnosis and beginning mestinon. Since starting my mestinon I have all but stopped my spasms/ jerking apart from my hands when I'm overtired.
It is great to hear the mestinon made a huge difference for you!
-Jodi, Team Member
I never suffered from leg cramps or any type of cramps until I was put on Mestinon 180 delayed Mestinon is more likely to give you cramps than the 60 milligrams rapid pill 💊 plus in some cases it gives you blurry vision or Double Vision!!!
A percentage of people with MG do not react well to mestinon, and this is a great thing to keep in mind for anyone interested in it or about to start it. Did you stop the mestinon or continue with it? -Jodi, Team Member
My GP changed the prescription to gabapentin, which also helps with insomnia. Yay! A good solution.
so glad your GP was helpful in finding a good solution for you! -Julie (team member) You may be interested in the following discussion, article, and study discussing gabapentin and MG 😀 : https://myasthenia-gravis.com/forums/gabapentin-and-myasthenia-gravis, https://myasthenia-gravis.com/clinical/drugs-vaccines-to-avoid, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20009666.2019.1643220 -Jodi, Team Member
I have sometimes severe muscle cramps in my legs and back. In the first several months after my MG diagnosis I was taking Mestinon and it did help for a while, then stopped working and the side effects of gas and nausea became worse, so I have stopped taking it and will use is only as a "rescue drug" as needed. My PCP recommended apple cider vinegar (or pickle juice) for cramps. I've been taking 3 capsules per day of the apple cider vinegar and it has helped. I also am drinking Propel to add electrolytes (recommended by my neurology PA) and that has helped as well. I also find getting enough good sleep makes a difference. In my case, I fairly sure the cramps are a side effect of prednisone and azathioprine that I am taking.
