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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Muscles & Bones
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bladder and bowel problems

deleted_user
deleted_user
I think this discussion may have been a topic on this site before. When I searched discussions, the last time I saw a discussion on this was in July 2011, I believe. I don't mean to be redundant, but I would like to know if anyone has bladder and bowel incontinence and loss of control and sensation.
I realize this is a personal matter, but I want to know if anyone has discussed this with their neuro. My neuro says that mg would not cause this problem, and the neurosurgeon that I saw today doesn't think so either. I do have several bulging discs (DDD-degenerative disc disease) and a lot of pain sometimes, but neurosurgeon doesn't think that is severe enough to cause bladder and bowel problems.
If mg doesn't cause this, what other medical problems might attribute to this?
Thanking you in advance for sharing in this private matter.
Olliepop
deleted_user
deleted_user
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
Kimber71
Kimber71
Mine does not get worse with medication it gets better. I haven't heard of getting worse with Mestinon.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I am with Kimber. I have not noticed that medicine makes it worse. Mestinon does cause diarrhea at times, but the incontinence I don't notice as being related to medicine.

Thanks to all who have posted. They have been helpful to me, and I hope to others also.

Olliepop
DebbieF777
DebbieF777
I had bladder incontinence as a young woman, oddly it was about the time that I had a possible MG crisis. Two surgeries later, and I still have stress incontinence. Mestinon coupled with metformin and prograf seems to have brought on diarrhea at times. Frustrating, but I do have diapers now, just in case.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I mentioned my incontinence to my neuro and he said it is MG. he said MG can affect any voluntary muscles.
snowbeltfolkie
snowbeltfolkie
Thank you Bambee!
Your Neuro is consistent -
- with many of our own personal experiences.

Much more so - than many other neurologists.
- Ross
sunev1961
sunev1961
2 years ago I got a sacral nerve implant for bowel incontinence. The sign of things to come with a MG diagnosis 18 months later? Who will ever know. Gez
deleted_user
deleted_user
Was told just last week that MG was not the cause of my uinary incontience. Have a appointment in September to see Urologist in the same building as was this MG specialist. Hanging in there with the withdrawal but it is hard and as I am not sure how much to taper off. I intend to try and see primary Physican this week for his help. Thank You again for all of your love and support.
Sleep Study and EMG are on hold because I believe what Kimber told me. I can't handle all of this at once and it is my choice. I will do it for sure but I can't deal with everything at once. This process has to be a step at a time and that is what I am struggling to do. Thank You Kimber for reminding me that it is ultimately my choice.
Dean
Thirteenblessings
Thirteenblessings
You know it sure seems off to me that this is one of the longest posts in a long time, from alot of people who have been told the same thing. That their bowel and or bladder problems are not caused by, or have anything to do with MG. Either they don't know all about that, or this is quite a cooncidence! It would be nice to see a study done on this.
blahmg
blahmg
Hi I wanted to update this forum as it was all posted in 2012. In 2016 it is now accepted by those that study MG it does effect pelvis muscles. Which does effect urine coming out of the bladder and bowel mvt.

For those that dismiss MG being the case and say its a Mestinon issue, it is not in my case as I have never taken it.

Also, I did a single fibre EMG on the pelvic muscles and MG was present.

My neuro was not keen on doing it, as it is painful. Make sure if you chose to do it, its with a specialist who has the most sensitive needles and who is really really good when they test. Otherwise, the needle may not pick it up or the pain may not be worth it.
blahmg
blahmg
Oh I wanted to add, if you have issues of your bowel mvt coming out (which I do) and waiting for the immune drugs to build up or any other drugs to work.

I recommend taking glycerine suppositories. They have the least side effects. Don't take the liq ones, as the issue is not softening the stool, its getting it out of your body. And don't take the medical suppositories as they have more side effects.

If anyone can let me know of other tricks that would be great, since I do not want to be taking suppositories for the rest of my life.
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