I was wondering if anyone has experience with whether narcotics make MG worse. As I mentioned in my introductory post, I went about 15 years misdiagnosed. At some point during that time I was put on tramadol for the muscle pain I was experiencing. Eventually the tramadol was switched for OxyContin, and over the years it got increased to 30mg every 8hrs.

I've asked the pain management doctor since my diagnosis if we could try cutting that back, but he doesn't want to make changes until everything else is more stable. I'm afraid that the narcotic might be one of the reasons I'm not stable, however. The problem is that my neurolgist doesn't have much experience with narcotics and is deferring to him as the pain management expert, and he's admitted I'm his first case of MG. I'm not sure if I should get a second opinion or what.

My neuro wanted me to talk to my Pulmonary Dr. before taking any opioids. My Pulmonary Dr. is also my primary care Dr. He gave me the ok after breathing tests and he monitors me regulatory. He knows that my breathing is impaired because of my week diaphragm.

If I were you, I would find a Pulmonary Dr. for advice.

Tony

Its kind of funny that you mention that. My previous GP was a pulmanary specialist I was sent to when my peak flow test showed I had asthma. After a lot of testing, he concluded that I didn't have asthma. I realize now it was the MG causing the low peak flow. He's since left the practice and I've found a new GP, but maybe I should see one of his associates.

I was searching also about meds to avoid in MG. I found a couple of sites that list them. Most were the same on all sites. **
Hope this helps, and good luck!

Thanks for replying, even though the link got cut off. I've probably seen the list you linked to though, as I think most of them list painkillers as something to be cautious about.

yes, among other meds. This site does not let you post web sites until you post at least 10 times. I copied them and pasted them for you. I hope they dont erase these. Hope it helps.....Royce



Aminoglycosides: Tobramycin,
Gentamicin,
Streptomycin,
Kanamycin,
Neomycin,
Amikacin,
Paromomycin Amitriptyline*, Bactracin**
Barbiturates*
Beta-Blockers: Propranolol,
Oxprenolol,
Pindolol,
Practolol,
Sotalol,
Timolol (ophthalmic)** Chloroquine* Chlorpromazine**
CNS Depressants* Colchicine
Colistin Colistimethate** Corticosteroids** Decamethonium Diphenhydramine* Duiretics*
Droperidol* Echotheophate
Emetine* Erythromycine** Ethosuximide*
Gallamine
Haloperidol*
Impiramine*
Lidocaine
Lincomycin
Lithium**
Magnerium Sulfate Muscle Relaxants* Narcotics: Morphine,
Codine,
Meperidine, Hydromorophone,
Opium (Pantopan (R))
Pancuconium Paraldehyde* Penicillamine
Phentyoin Procainamide**
Procaine
Quinine**
Respiratory:
Depressants* Sulfonamides** Sedatives*
Sodium Lactate** Succinylcholine Tetacycline**
Thyroid:
Replacements Tranquilizers* Trihexphenidyl Tubocurarine
* theoretically may worsen MG - no clinical reports ** worsens MG or causes MG-like syndrome Henry Ford Hospital 1993