Mestinon and Cramps: What Users Say

• JJ7...
• January 25, 2016

For Myasthenia Gravis "I am a 44-year-old male recently diagnosed with MG since November 2015. I take 90mg 4 times a day. My medication generally lasts 5 hours. My MG involves slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, teary eyes, difficulty pushing food around with my tongue, and a very weak bite. My medication usually kicks in after 45 minutes to 1 hour. My speech improves, although there is still a hint of a slur but much improved. Swallowing improves but still not confident. I always have water just in case. No diarrhea at all and only once I had severe cramps, but that was while I was adjusting my dosage. Taking 2 60mg tablets will probably do that. I have vomited once but I function much better while on Mestinon."

• svh...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 29, 2022

For Dysautonomia "It took me quite a while to tolerate Mestinon, mostly nausea and headache and twitchiness, but after being on it for about two years, I have almost no side effects. It wears off after several hours, and I take it 3 times a day. It is difficult for me to take it at night, but it would probably help even more if I could. I also take magnesium, which stopped my ectopic heartbeats and muscle rigidity, cramps, and spasms. I was pretty lucky to be prescribed this so soon after having COVID."

• Anonymous
• September 16, 2021

For Myasthenia Gravis "I was recently diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. I get double vision, droopy eyelids, muscle weakness, and muscle fatigue. I started on Mestinon 60 mg 3 x a day and 25 mg prednisolone and tapered down 5 mg every week. It worked, and I felt so much energy, but then my medication changed to Mestinon Timespan 180 mg, and it caused me very painful stomach cramps and excess flatulence and diarrhea. For 1 month, I hoped my body would get used to it, but I couldn't handle it anymore. I told my doctor, and she said to take half a tablet 1 x a day, and so far no bad side effects and only mild stomach cramps. My MG hasn't returned. I make sure to eat with the medicine and drink lots of water."

• Edw...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 21, 2017

For Myasthenia Gravis "Thymus tumor caused myasthenia gravis. Tumor was removed (thymectomy), but still have severe muscle problems, treated with pyridostigmine 60 mg x 5 and 5 mg prednisone x 2. Which gives me about a 1-2 hour window of better muscle control per dosage. Often times causes severe cramping in neck, head, face, hands, legs. I take magnesium to relax the muscle cramping. Also have less control of bowels and urinary. Not sure if meds help or hinder in that area. Food has less taste, too."

• Anonymous
• June 22, 2010

For Myasthenia Gravis "This medicine gave me great relief within a few hours of taking it. However, I get really painful cramps in my stomach. I realized I get hungry more often. I have been on it for about three years. Within these three years, I have taken about six doses. I think it is great."

• MRO...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2023

For Myasthenia Gravis "I started Mestinon 30 mg a few weeks ago and increased it to 60 mg three times a day. The first several days, it worked well, but it seems to only help sporadically now. If I don't get 7 hours of sleep or overdo things, it doesn't help me the next day. I am looking forward to getting put on an immunosuppressive med. The side effects are some abdominal cramping, and it seems to make me hungry."