Pyridostigmine and Cramps: What Users Say

• JJ7...
• January 25, 2016

Pyridostigmine 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

Pyridostigmine 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."

• KDK...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2021

Pyridostigmine for Dysautonomia "Pyridostigmine ER 180 has been life-changing. The temperature intolerance has become balanced. I am no longer freezing nonstop. The ability to gain muscle strength is amazing. I can walk longer and stand, and I have increased energy. The blood pooling in my feet is not nearly as bad. The small fiber neuropathy has decreased in episodes and flares. It has helped with rapid heartbeat and less dizziness. The side effects in the beginning are not pleasant. However, if you know going in that you may experience severe cramping, diarrhea, runny nose, and watery eyes. As time goes by, the body adjusts, and the benefits are worth it and the discomfort. My record is if your physician prescribes the dosage of 180 ER time-released x 2 per day. Start with only one a day, your body may not be able to handle the side effects. I noticed within two days of taking Pyridostigmine, I was able to walk without muscle weakness and small fiber neuropathy."

• Anonymous
• September 16, 2021

Pyridostigmine 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

Pyridostigmine 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

Pyridostigmine 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

Pyridostigmine 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."

• Anonymous
• March 27, 2010

For Myasthenia Gravis "I was taking 3 pills a day, and it was okay for the first few weeks. Then I started with leg and hand cramps, where I couldn't lay down at night. I am now on 3 1/2 tablets a day, and the cramping has decreased, but the neurologist is concerned that the ocular symptoms will come back."

• Anonymous
• March 27, 2010

For Myasthenia Gravis "I was taking 3 pills a day, and it was okay for the first few weeks. Then I started with leg and hand cramps, where I couldn't lay down at night. I am now on 3 1/2 tablets a day, and the cramping has decreased, but the neurologist is concerned that the ocular symptoms will come back."

• Mag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2021

For Myasthenia Gravis "I currently have ocular myasthenia gravis. For the most part, you all are fairly fortunate. I tried really hard but just can’t tolerate the drug. After 3 weeks of being sick, bloated, and being crampy most of the time, I had to go off. I lost 12 pounds (I could afford to lose it) the hard way with no end in sight. Dr. said the drug was doing more harm than good. I am sad. I wonder what the future holds. I am new to this. Nov. 1, 2021."

• Lad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 27, 2024

For Myasthenia Gravis "MG symptoms started with mild double vision/blurriness (particularly after grocery shopping and/or driving). At first, I thought it was time for new eyeglasses, but more likely scanning shelves and the road was aggravating the condition. A few months later, I began having trouble chewing and swallowing and an alarming incident of slurring speech while on the phone. A trip to the ER for an MRI ruled out a stroke but didn't really reveal anything else. Fortunately, my doctor picked up on clues like symptoms increasing later in the day, ordered bloodwork, and referred me to a neurologist who gave me 60 mg of pyridostigmine in the office. Within a half hour, my speech and eyelids were nearly normal. I am on 60 mg of pyridostigmine 3x a day and 20 mg of prednisone for 5 months, which I always take with some food. Sometimes I get leg cramps, but stretching my toes downward usually stops them. I also have to void my bladder frequently, but all in all, I can't complain!"