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...
Hi Everyone
I am trying to figure out exactly what it is when people say that some medicines treat our disease, and others treat the symptoms. Here I specifically refer to Mestinon (I believe this treats the symptoms of MG) and then Prednisone (treats the disease). What does this actually mean in real terms, I am on both of these.
Over the past 2 weeks on the instruction of my Neruo, I have reduced my Prednisone from 60mg per day to first 40mg, and now 20mg. The thing is that I now feel quite a bit of the fatigue that I was feeling a few weeks ago. Is this now a case of the disease coming to the forefront, or will I counter this with increasing my Mestinon?
I will be asking the same question from the Doc when I see her, but sometimes I think that only people with MG understand how one feels, and can give real feedback.
I am hoping that this forum will be able to shed some light on this for me
Regards
Christo
I am trying to figure out exactly what it is when people say that some medicines treat our disease, and others treat the symptoms. Here I specifically refer to Mestinon (I believe this treats the symptoms of MG) and then Prednisone (treats the disease). What does this actually mean in real terms, I am on both of these.
Over the past 2 weeks on the instruction of my Neruo, I have reduced my Prednisone from 60mg per day to first 40mg, and now 20mg. The thing is that I now feel quite a bit of the fatigue that I was feeling a few weeks ago. Is this now a case of the disease coming to the forefront, or will I counter this with increasing my Mestinon?
I will be asking the same question from the Doc when I see her, but sometimes I think that only people with MG understand how one feels, and can give real feedback.
I am hoping that this forum will be able to shed some light on this for me
Regards
Christo
You should watch your symptoms closely and call your neuro if things get out of hand. Prednisone drops can uncover the disease and mestinon may do very little to help. Quickly, you can be in real trouble. That is how I went into crisis...please take care, debra
Curt
Mestinon will help mask the disease or its symptoms and help you tolerate it or function with it, while Prednisone will hopefully push the disease back by actually treating the underlying condition. Hopefully to a point where you can sustain with less and less medication, and hopefully to a point of no medication some day.
Hope that helps, Brother
PEACE
TJ
Not sure what the Neuro was thinking.......I definately feel the decrease in my overall strength over the past few days, I am guessing that this is due to the drop in Predisone?
Anyway, Thanks
I will see how it goes and post my progress here for those interested.
Christo