Hello Al

My sympathies are with you. Like you, I've never heard of there being a direct linkage between MG and bladder problems. That said most of us are well aware of there being one from taking higher amounts of Mestinon? I was recently diagnosed with Crohn's disease, that's some ten years after MG and perhaps a tad more inconvenient than both MG and bladder control) albeit the treatment for my MG and Crohn's is identical and in much the same way, seems to work well. No linkage other than that (medication) and I am 'happy' enough to put it down to getting older - perhaps the same for you?

Hope you get the results you're looking for - if not then try Tena for Men (Black protective shield) they work well!

Peter

I have "leaked" for a while now-- and I am reasonably sure that it is because of the MG. I wear incontinence underpants. Often from the time I first am aware that I "need-to-go" till I get to the bathroom I have already emptied most of my bladder.

I also have wondered about whether there is an association between MG and bladder incontinence. I only have an incontinence problem late at night when I am tired. It would make sense that this is related to MG since there are voluntary muscles involved.

Let us know what your neurologist says please.

There are studies, of course, and this one seems to support the aged-related nature of incontinence as being the primary cause, rather than the MG itself?

https://www.ehealthme.com/cs/myasthenia-gravis/urinary-incontinence/

Also a previous thread on here

https://www.dailystrength.org/group/myasthenia-gravis/discussion/bladder-and-bowel-problems

What to do about it is perhaps the overriding issue here and it would seem to be - use a pad?

I have discussed this with my current neuro. She said it isn’t related to MG. I told her I believe it is & maybe most patients don’t talk about it. That at 14 when I was diagnosed I had issues then. When I went in to remission it wasn’t a issue anymore. Once out of remission it is a problem again.

Doing a study in Tampa which I believe I was receiving placebo in the beginning, because once I moved to open label & receiving real drug the issue of incontinence has improved.

Also with MG patients having varying symptoms maybe not a issue with all. Doesn’t mean it is related to MG.

I do too notice when weakness happens I have weaker bladder. Only makes sense when you think about it. Bladder has muscle control involved. Everything in our body has muscle involvement.

Ann

True of course, but MG can be quite selective as to which muscles it attacks and for most of us at least, it's very selective? Whereas, the medication we take for MG isn't selective at all. It follows that when we don't feel so good we probably increase Mestinon and from that, we may get problems with the plumbing?

I have had mg for about 6 years and also have incontinence problems. I don't know if mg causes it or just makes it worse as an aging condition ( I am 73)

I've had this issue. For me it was my magnesium supplement. There are many types and some better than others. Magnesium is a tough issue because MG'ers tend to not tolerate it very well and the wrong type or amount can send you spinning bad. For me magnesium oxide causes dizzyness and lightheadiness. However we need mag for proper muscle function including the heart. I've wound up in the ER a few times with low mag, potassium and sodium levels. My issue was solved when a kidney doctor visited me in the hospital and suggested trying Slow-Mag. It's a magnesium Chloride supplement thats time released. It can be found at your local drug store over the counter. It worked for me. Bladder issues stopped as well as night time leg cramps. She also suggested taking 1/2 dose at bed time just in case I became light headed. I never had that issue, and I havent been back to the ER in years.

I now take Doctors Best High Absorption Mag "chelated" 1/2 dose every evening with no issues.

One more thing that Kidney doc said.... Eat one banana and one apple a day and we won't see you back here:)...music to my ears