Yes, I do. There are many symptoms we have that the doctors don't contribute to MG.

Yep. I have both but mostly urine incontinence. Doctor told me to do the Kargel exercises several times a day.I am trying but can do two or three fairly well and then the fourth is weak and after that I cannot use those muscles for a while.

I too have back problems and thought that could be it but since I cannot do those exercises but a few times, I do think that MG is the culprit.

I also have had a urine infection for a while which the doctors have npo solutionj to treat. EWither, I am allergic to the medicine or I should not take it becvauise of MG. So I did my usual and used herbs and such and got rid of it.

I'm in the same boat here. I attributed it to just growing older, but it started fairly quickly, when my mg reared its head. No back problems here at all.

Urinary incontinence, yes ma'am. I've learned to schedule my potty breaks regularly whether I need to go or not. Too many times I've been caught doing a cross legged shuffle to the restroom at work.
Bowel incontinence, not as severe but occasionally has been an issue for me as well.
My neuro has asked about it, but probably because of the side effects from the medications.
I have no doubt it is MG related.
Larissa

I do have spinal arthritis also but can prove that the 2 are separate issues.

When I wake and before I have had my first dose of Mestinon I often do not have the ability to forcefully pass urine. I do not lose control but after working my muscles harder than would normally gravity mostly takes over. It is nearly impossible for me to move my bowels no matter how much muscles feel as if they working.
When I take my medication forcefull urination returns within about an hour and the ability to move my bowels within about 2 hours.

Using the medication I can reproduce this effect at almost any time.

Kimber

I agree with b, completely.
There are many symptoms we have that doctors don't contribute to MG.
And like Kimber, I have also learned -
- about the timing and dosages of my meds.
I've had similar reactions, with not quite the same degree of difficulty. (Sorry - the Olympic Trials have been on TV.)

re: the effects of MG, by itself.
MG can act strongly against the - smooth muscle -
- of the GI system and the bladder.
In the same way that MG: can cause muscle weakness & fatigue, in many muscle-groups of our bodies.
MG can also cause muscle-fatigue in our GI system & bladder.

This goes right along with the statement: that Meds stimulate the GI system & the bladder. Particularly as the day goes on, and the dosages build in the bloodstream.
The problem is, for many of us?
Our meds - actually overstimulate these systems!

- Ross
(I don't know about you guys? But when I'm out & about? I'm getting tired of looking - like that ad on TV. You know the one. Where the clinking, clanking, collection of coliginous-copper-pipes? Rambles along rapidly, looking for a restroom!)

** Qualification/Correction.

I just spent some time, perusing the web.
Including myasthenia.org - and other medical websites.

I can't find any source, that says: that the smooth muscles of the GI system and the bladder - are affected by MG.

In fact, all these medical-sources: say just the opposite.
That MG does not affect the GI system, or the bladder.

This doesn't ring true, with my personal experience?
But that's just one person.

I apologize - for the lack of substantiated research.
- Ross

Hey Ross, thank you for doing the research. I am with you. It doesn't ring true with my symptoms either.
Thank you all for sharing you experiences, and I feel that we agree that mg will affect GI symptoms, bladder and bowel problems, too.

If anyone else has input on this topic, please feel free to share with us. It is helpful to hear from others.
Olliepop

OK... I know what the books say. But.. if MG affects ALL voluntary muscles then how could it not affect the bladder and bowel? That is contradictory.

Now I do believe that one part of the GI tract / bowel issue could be that we are less active and do concern ourselves with conserving energy. That means that sometimes we do not move our core muscles enough and that would reduce how well our GI tract processes. That along with the types of foods we eat, hydration etc. are all contributing factors. But I know without a doubt that Mestinon is the difference between me functioning or not.

Kimber

In Starbucks and other places where they have a 1 seater for men and a 1 seater for woman in many emergencies I have used the men's. EMERGENCIES.

I tried to tell my neuromuscular specialist that the Mestinon helped with bowel problems and sphincter control, but he just didn't understand. I guess he is more used to hearing about the other GI effects of the drug. But obviously sphincters are under voluntary control (we hope) and involve skeletal muscle. Maybe people just don"t report the problems. My experience is much like yours Kimber, only milder. We need the abdominal wall and the pelvic floor to be working, too. b.

I also have bladder issue never had a problem until mg..

Hi everyone! I am also concerned about pelvic floor strength in relation to MG. It does seem like pelvic floor muscles would be voluntarily. Thanks for any info!

Yes, "wet pants syndrome" or "the dribbles" and more urgency has been part of my new life under MG. I have joined the group of men who spend quality time at the urinal at Wal-mart

Bladder and bowel problems are not related to MG but are very much related to the treatment one of the side effects of Mestinon are these problems. You may have other problems causing these problems but I had severe problems when I started and when my dosage was increased.
Will