Hi All,

Since I've got myasthenia gravis I might as well share what I've learnt about it or thought about it, so this is one more entry. I've had MG for 19 years, and I'm now aged 37 (male). I had a thymoma in the beginning, and have had generalised myasthenia, which at times was very severe with neck, arm, torso, leg weakness etc etc. On a brighter note I'm now doing very well - just some ongoing facial weakness.

I am a medical practitioner. I'm putting this information out in cyberspace just in case anybody is looking for it or has had similar unexplained problems. I think there are some under-recognised side effects of Mestinon (pyridostigmine bromide).

When I was a medical student I found that when I was nervous, particularly when I was trying to put an intravenous canula or drip into a patient, I would get a severe (embarassing), tremor. To this day I don't know why. It was a problem for a couple of years. At the time I was on large doses of Mestinon (I can't remember exactly how much - at least 60mg 4 or 6 times a day).
Once I starting working as a doctor I got over it and it wasn't a problem any more.

Nobody else I studied medicine with had this problem. I wonder if it was a side effect of Mestinon (acting in some way on the nervous system to cause the tremor, particularly when I was nervous). I was also taking azathioprine and intragam at the time, but I don't think they're relevant.

Good luck to all.

Cheers,
D