I would like to know whether anyone has reoccurring muscle spasms. I have had them for TEN years, and they occur in the same place, the shoulder blade or underneath them, always on the left side.

Sometimes, the muscles get so tight I have to break down and take a muscle relaxer, which I know conflicts with the Mestinon, but it gets so bad when I lie on my back to rest or just relax. It's hard to breath and worsens the poor breathing I do have.

As a result, I do not take my Mestinon, and I let the relaxers do their job. Mind you, there are a year and half old, so their effects are not as potent.

So, I was just wondering whether these spasms a symptom of MG, that has been missed or not as well known.

Hmmm. I am not sure if spasms happen in MG, but I do get spasms too. Do the muscle relaxants help? Sometimes they need to be taken on a regular basis to work.

I get them on the shoulder blade on the right side. What I think is happening is that the muscles above it, that hold up my head, are weak, and that puts a strain on these muscles and sends them into spasm. It happens to me when my neck is especially weak.

Abby

That's an interesting theory. I would not say my neck is weak. I do know that my right shoulder dips down, which causes with my left shoulder to rise, so my shoulders act like a see-saw. When one goes down, the other goes up, and the raised shoulder is the one with the spasms.

It's either that or my left shoulder has a tendency to be tense and noticeably raised.

I just wished the spasms were not so intense and stiff. If I did not take relaxers, it would take a week for them to ease up, so once they occur I really feel I have no choice but to take the relaxers.

Yes, they work. One time, I took the muscle relaxant with the Mestinon, and my back felt like chopped meat, very tender to the touch. I do know that when I had regular chiropractic care, I never had spasms or needed to take muscle relaxers.

During my regular visits the comments I would usually get from chiropractors were that my ribs are out of place. I guess if I walk around all day with a slumped shoulder, it is bound to happen.

So, are you left or right handed? What "side" do you use more often. Do you carry a purse or bag around and, if so, what side?

Go through your day really thinking about how you use those muscles. It could be a nerve problem too though. Has anyone, like your neuro, looked at your spine via an MRI?

Have you thought about physical therapy?

Muscles that get weak, no matter what the cause, can cramp or spasm.

I hope you can figure out what is going on.

Annie

My right side.

No, they are just monitoring the thymus, which I must say is my main priority. However, it would be nice to know.

Yes, that is what I was prescribed for, when the doctor noticed the sizable knot in my back.

I will try to remember to ask this once I go for my first visit to the MG organization.

When I went off mestinon after became better during the winter 08 and then had a batch that was tainted. As the year progressed spasms became very obvious. It really has taken me since 09 to see the pattern for me. When I am on mestinon regularly I dont have the severe ones around my chest that affect my breathing. That scared me and made me think I had MS as when I looked online it sounded like an MS Hug.

My skull hurts and neck along with part of the time and I feel that there is spasming involved in my head-neck from my neck weakness.

When I was going off mestinon. reducing dosages I would get spasming in my right leg and esp arch of foot. It seemed a withdrawal thing for my body.

Fortunately my hydrocodone has helped the spasming. Also tho I find that cold packs can help when it is in my chest to a minor degree. Cant take cold on my feet or hands so dont try that there.

Annie59