Pyridostigmine and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• March 31, 2010

For Myasthenia Gravis "Mestinon helps everyone differently. I started out with ocular MG. Apparently, this drug helps most people with their ocular MG, but it doesn't do anything at all to improve my eye. My case of MG rapidly generalized, and difficulty breathing was my 2nd symptom to manifest. Mestinon improves my breathing issues somewhat, but doesn't take the shortness of breath away completely. Same with my arms and thighs; it helps, but doesn't make the weakness disappear altogether. Mestinon can cause diarrhea, but most likely won't if taken alongside a meal or with a small snack. It must be taken every 3-4 hours. Mestinon is one of the only drugs out there for MG with the least amount of unpleasant side effects."

• Fra...
• December 11, 2020

For Myasthenia Gravis "I have ocular myasthenia gravis, and after being initially put on 50 mg of prednisone and 25 mg of mestinon once each morning, my symptoms disappeared and my vision returned to 20/20 after only 9 days. Prior to that, I had extreme double vision. Now I'm on 3 doses of 60 mg mestinon and one dose of prednisone, eventually aiming for no prednisone. Certainly urinating more and have diarrhea. Hoping I'll acclimatize to the mestinon as having my all-important vision back is fantastic. Cheers all."

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

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."

• Sup...
• July 31, 2015

For Dysautonomia "The good: less dizziness and blood pooling in legs due to POTS. The bad: I have all of the negative common side effects: I sweat horribly, I have a regular cough with mucus, I drool a lot and not just at night, I have frequent loose stool, my eyes are super blurry sometimes, and my tongue cramps so sometimes I sound like I've had a stroke or a severe speech impediment. Dose: 30-60 mg with dinner and 180 mg time span before bed. (I can't handle the side effects during the day.) I have been on this for over a year. I take this and accept the side effects because without it I would not be able to work due to my brand of POTS. The side effects aren't consistent, and my body metabolizes things differently every day."

• 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."

• Mam...
• June 29, 2014

For Dysautonomia "I've been on 30 mg of Mestinon two times a day for about three months. I had diarrhea the first few days, more shortness of breath, and some drowsiness. After that, I started noticing improvement in my cognition (the worst part of my dysautonomia and fibromyalgia, to me), and I am able to keep 'doing' things longer than I could before. I do notice when it begins to wear off, and I may go up to three times a day on it. I'm very pleased. The only negative I have is a big increase in eyelid twitching and awful muscle spasms in my feet. My neurologist has had me start B-6 for this, and it helps a lot."

• Hil...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 27, 2023

For Myasthenia Gravis "I have been taking Mestinon for 2 years for generalized myasthenia gravis. I take 30 mg three times a day. Unfortunately, I have severe diarrhea, stomach cramping, and other side effects including muscle cramping. I take Imodium, but sometimes it doesn’t work. I eat only rice, toast, and tea. I wish there was a better medication for MG with less side effects."

• POT...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2017

For Dysautonomia "I started on 30 mg 2x daily. I had initial loose stools, but have gone back to constipation. I didn't get much relief from my tachycardia, and also noticed an increase in body twitches (not tremors). I'm now trying 60 mg 2x daily and I still have the increase in twitches and, most notably, headaches (worse than the normal everyday ones), and breathing issues (I already have asthma and laryngospasms). Not sure any benefit is worth these side effects, but it's only been a couple of days, so I'll give it a little more time."

• Anonymous
• March 21, 2009

For Myasthenia Gravis "I tried taking Mestinon when I was first diagnosed, and it caused bad diarrhea."