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...
I never thought I would be so excited about the prospect of starting a new med, but.........
I got the call today about the 3,4 dap! They are going to overnight the informed consent paperwork to me. Then I have to overnight it back to them along with a copy of an EKG and liver studies from the hospital last month, then I will be on my way to getting my first dose. I will probably have to go to Jacksonville to take the first dose because they have to do another EKG exactly one hour after that. I am trying not to get too excited.......
And trying to keep my prospective because there is always the possibility that it may not work for me, but at least I have hope.
I got the call today about the 3,4 dap! They are going to overnight the informed consent paperwork to me. Then I have to overnight it back to them along with a copy of an EKG and liver studies from the hospital last month, then I will be on my way to getting my first dose. I will probably have to go to Jacksonville to take the first dose because they have to do another EKG exactly one hour after that. I am trying not to get too excited.......
And trying to keep my prospective because there is always the possibility that it may not work for me, but at least I have hope.
Hugs,
Rosie
Having not heard of 3,4 dap, I looked at Wikipedia--and will share it for the rest of those who don't know about it. As I understand it, 3,4 dap is like a Mestinon drug that works for LEMS.
3,4-Diaminopyridine is used for the treatment of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS).
In Lambert-Eaton syndrome, acetylcholine release is inhibited as antibodies meant to target characteristic cancers target Ca2+ channels on the prejunctional membrane instead.
In the MG of the type many of us have--not LEMS, acetylcholine release is normal, but our receptors for it are blocked or destroyed by a different set of antibodies -- so the acetylcholine doesn't get through, but Mestinon assists the process.
3,4-Diaminopyridine works by blocking potassium channel efflux in nerve terminals so that action potential duration is increased. Ca2+ channels can then be open for a longer time and allow greater acetylcholine release to stimulate muscle at the end plate. A 2005 systematic review from the Cochrane Collaboration found some data favouring its use in LEMS.