Doctors sometimes give a Tensilon test, which is an injection. Now a blood test for specific antibodies is considered the best way to diagnose MG. There are several forms of MG and the blood test can determine that.
Mestinon only lasts about four hours in the body, although they have a time release pill as well.
I just came out of remission and I saw one neurologist who did the testing. The tests confirmed MG but he said he did not know enough about the disease to treat me. It will take me several months to get an appointment with the specialist. I feel your pain, but I do have access to mestinon until I see the specialist.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BackwardPawn
I think doctors have become overly cautious about treating without a diagnosis due to malpractice lawsuits. I suppose this could be good from our perspective as we don't get medicine for ailments we may not have, but it does mean a frustrating wait. From the doctors perspective, it protects them. For example, I kinda think my doctor suspected I have Stiff Man even though she warned me its rare and likely to come back negative. She could have given me a dose of Valium to see, but instead two weeks for the test (I don't blame her--just frustrating to wait), on the other hand, my old neurologist suspected I have MG and didn't tell me surgeon because he hadn't run the tests yet. I almost died as a result. I probably had a malpractice lawsuit against him.
Anyway, just my thoughts on the subject.
EDIT: Plus insurance may want to see a diagnosis before paying for medicine.
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