Myasthenia Gravis Support Group

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating muscle weakness and fatiguability. The hallmark of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that increases during periods of activity and improves after periods of rest. Although myasthenia gravis may affect any voluntary muscle, muscles that control eye and eyelid movement, facial expression, and...

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trinity419 04/27/2013

Due to the stress of recovering from the pneumonia and weight loss of 20 lbs my doctor thought I should try Paxil. I am only taking mestinon..I have always done well until I battled pneumonia. Now am having difficulty swallowing(although it has gotten a little better) and speech slurring at different times through out the day. Im sure this has brought on the anxiety. This is day 4 of the Paxil and I must say I am a little more relaxed but I woke this morning with a little bit of shakes.

Has anyoneone had to take anxiety meds before while taking their MG meds?

RosieSoaring 04/28/2013

Hi Trinity! Paxil is an antidepressant that can help with anxiety. It will probably take weeks to take full effect. I have taken Paxil, but have personally received more benefit from Lexapro, a similar antidepressant. My anxiety was trauma related, not MG related. I hope this helps!

deleted_user 04/28/2013

I take Xanax for anxiety but I don't have a diagnosis yet on my muscle problem.I hope the Paxil helps you if not there are many more to try. Goodluck and may God Bless

deleted_user 04/28/2013

I got a prescription for xanax after a horrific experience in the hospital with a crisis. xanax doesn't seem to affect my weakness at all but I take just a small dose as needed- 0.125 or 0.25 mg depending on how I am feeling.

deleted_user 04/29/2013

Hi, I take Klonopin for a vertigo issue. Try and seperate the time you take the two meds. I had to to this to advoid the shakes. Hope this helps.

deleted_user 04/29/2013

I do hope your doctors are treating your anxiety with the Paxil and not trying to treat the difficulty you are having swallowing and speaking Those problems will not go away with the Paxil as they are MG related and could cause you serious problems. Difficulty swallowing can cause you to aspirate leading to pneumonia. I am wondering if you MG needs to be more aggressively treated.
Mary

trinity419 04/30/2013

Thanks everyone. I will be seeing my neurologist on Thursday and a GI specialist on the 10th. I pray I dont have to go on Prednisone. I did not have a good experience with it during my early MG days. I was dx in 2000

cgreens 05/01/2013

SSRI's are not treatment for anxiety. They are addictive and they help to cope with anxiety. MANY people with anxiety and depression take these, but if you want treatment, you must seek therapy. This has helped me to understand anxiety and to be able to cope without medication. The #1 treatment for anxiety is CBT...Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This is what I did over many months time. I could learn more, but I have results showing improvement.

Good luck to you.
TJ

cgreens 05/01/2013

I also side with Mary and you may need treatment for your MG...Mestinon is no treatment.

We are here for you anytime

larissam 05/01/2013

I occasionally take a very small dose of Xanax as needed. I am trying to be more diligent about meditating regularly which seems to help. I've a a few sessions with a therapist but am on the fence about continuing at this time. I recently attended a support group, not MG related, which was very helpful. (Although I wish there were one locally for MG).

Is the doc that is recommending Paxil your neuro? If not I would certainly run it by her/him first.

I hope your appointment goes well today.
Wishing you well.
Larissa

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