So, I'm trying to work out the dose and spacing (with permission from my neuro). I'm trying to get peak effectiveness out of it during the late afternoon, my worst time of day, and go lighter in the mornings.

I am one of those fortunate people who don't seem to get any GI symptoms from Mestinon, even without food. Is there any reason I shouldn't take it on an empty stomach? I am maintaining a big weight-loss and have a delicate balance of when and what I eat worked out that I'd rather not disturb if I don't have to.

Someone posted something here about absorption of Mestinon with food and without--could I have more details? Thanks.

Hi Stellatum,
If you do not want to take Mestinon with food, you may take it with a glass of water...or maybe with some low cal yoghourt...
Maurice.

Stellatum, Is that the name you wish to go by or is there another one?

I take Mestinon Syrup because it absorbs better for me (no stomach acid). If Mestinon does not upset your stomach, or digestive tract, you don't have to take it with food. It only helps some people who have an uspet stomach but it isn't "required."

This might annoy you (or not) but I'll say it anyway. There are three things you need to make stomach acid: Gastrin, histamine and acetylcholine. So, with Mestinon, you get more acetylcholine and more stomach acid. Which is why it can irritate some people's stomach. I like knowing things like this about the drugs I take.

Congrats on losing weight and keeping it off. It's a hard thing to do, especially with MG.

I'm glad the Mestinon is working for you.

Annie

Annie,

Thanks--I like knowing everything I can about the drugs I take, too! That's good to know about the extra stomach acid. I will be on the look-out for that. I did notice some heartburn when I took the pill on an empty stomach today, and in light of what you said about stomach acid, I can now make the connection.

My name is Abby. Sorry I didn't think to sign myself that way.

I planned my Mestinon today to make sure the full dose was in full action at my worst time of day, and it seemed to work. I didn't "crash" at 4:00 like usual. I know I need to give it more time, but I'm feeling encouraged.

Thanks for your kind help. This forum is so encouraging and supportive, and it also helps me to see how relatively mild my illness has been so far. Between that and the spring weather we had today, I'm feeling cheered.

Abby

Hi Abby, I'm one of those people who can't take Mestinon, at least not a lot. For the first couple of months I could with no GI problems, and then.. OH MY, strap a toilet to my behinder was my model after that...
My doctor had to prescribe meds, so I could take my meds..
I was sent home from the hospital with prednisone, and then didn't start on Mestinon for a couple of months. That was my very first neuro. She didn't know as much about MG, but she did diagnose me, sent me to some good specialist out in Cleveland. I now see a great neuro specialist.
I found out that Mestinon has lactose in it for a filler, I'm very lactose intolerant.
Praying you don't have any side effects from it.
Have you been to http://mestinon.com/index.jspf It's very helpful.
Love
Lizzie