Make sure the GI doctor is familiar with MG. Talk to the anesthesiologist beforehand (not just right before the procedure) and, most importantly, make sure the doctor performing the colonoscopy and your husbands neuro talk about his issues beforehand. If you're not comfortable, put it off. It's a preventative test afterall. He needs it but not if it will cause more problems. Make sure everyone is on the same page first.
Cathi

Thank you Cathi! We may wait til September when back in Florda as that is where the neurologist is and they know each other! Barb

I have a family history of colon cancer and have had a colonoscopy every 3 years. I never thought of this until reading your post..
Thank you
Will

I am new here and I see I have alot to learn from most of you. I have to have that procedure this year also and I am supposed to have a sleep study done. Guess I will keep listening to you all and thanks for being the supportive people you all are. I just went to the dentist and have read where that can be a issue with MG. I hope your husband is doing ok.

Waiting til sept. sounds good. Due to strong family hx. i get one every 3-5 yrs. last one in 2010 with versed. also had 2 jaw bone grafts in 2011 with versed. All three times i did ok, was quite tired and took a good nap afterwards. I was tired and some weak for rest of that day and a little into the next.

We all react differently and my mg was not that bad when these procedures were done. also I was on no meds for Mg at the time either. Cathi gave good advice!

Hi all I'm new here can someone explain why it's a problem to go to the dentist or have surgery, I tried to do a search but it didn't come up. Thanks again..Mary

Bear, the sleep study is no problem. I just went to the hospital as an out patient, got wired and went to sleep. Totally drug free

Mary,
There are many drugs that a person with MG cannot take or "should be given with caution." They include many drugs used in denistry and surgery including muscle relaxants and antibiotics.

The Links group is a good place to find that information or actually links to the information. Myasthenia.org MGFA has a handbook for professionals and a publication regarding drugs and myasthenia. Both links are there as well as lots of other good stuff. You can print them off and keep them on your computer or request the materials from the Myasthenis Gravis Foundation.

Since MG is so rare, we often find ourselves in the position of not only having to educate ourselves, but also our health care professionals. Neuro ophthalmologists and anesthesiologists as a group seem to have been trained well regarding MG as well as those neurologists who have done a neuromuscular fellowship. Other physicians, including neurologists may have little experience with diagnosing and managing MG, especially if the presentation is atypical as it often is. b.

i guess i didn't write that clear. What I was trying to say was that the sleep study Bear, the 4th replyer is planning will involve any medication.

Glad I don't go by my first name, then this post would get really confusing. I was replying to mew1, who is also Mary. :-) as am I . b.

I had a colonoscopy after being diagnosed with MG and I had no problem. I did make it clear that I had MG and they had had several people with MG so they knew what was necessary.

Sleep study is just that, wired up and going to sleep. Funny isn't it but I was so tired from the sleep study that I went home and slept for six hours! It should be called hardly any sleep study.

I had to consult with a GI doc soon after my diagnosis at the request of my liver specialist because of persistent anemia. He scared the life out of me. He didn't know anything about MG. His words to me were "we will just give you a little propofol". I asked if there would be an anesthesiologist there, no, just a nurse anesthetist. He said "if you get into trouble we will have your mesitnon, right?". I ran out of the office.

I followed up with MY GI doc whom I love. He has educated himself on MG since I was diagnosed. He has watched the anemia and it corrected itself with supplements, just took a long time.

We just have to be careful and don't take reassurances that don't ring true to you.

Thank you so much for the info! You are most helpful !

I made the wonderful 50 this year and am due for my first colonoscopy. My neuro says "absolutely not!" When I am stable, she said I could have one. No family history of colon cancer, so I am happy to wait.

Debbie, turning 50 sure sounds good to me! Lol. Thanks for your neuro's imput! I think my hubby will wait til we return to Florida the 1st of Oct so we will be dealing with an in town neuro instead of dealing long distance! Feel better soon! Barb