Hi All, This is my first post to this forum. I have had MG for 40+ years. I take mestinon, prednisone and IVIG. Mestinon has always been hard on my stomach but it is worse now that I am older. I need to constantly keep my stomach fed or I get gassy, nauseous and worse. Much worse. I also get serious headaches.
My problem is now I must have a colonoscopy. I have to get through a day and a half without any food.

I already have a medication called glycopyrrolate which the doctor gave me to help with the stomach problems, but it only works a little...not all day!

Yikes. I don't think I can get through a whole day and 1/2 without using mestinon either. I'll be rolling right off the table. How will I get ON the table. Has anyone ever done this and do you have any tips or suggestions for me?

Thank you,

You need to think if you absolutely must have the colonoscopy. If it is necessary then your neurologist is going to have to get together with the GI team to come up with a plan. I also take the same meds you do and was told I cannot have this done without seriously exacerbating the MG due to the prep and the meds I take and that are used in the procedure for relaxation/analgesia. Good luck with your decision and please get all your doctors on board together/ Make sure if you have it done that there is someone well versed in MG to be on call for you.

Wing, Hi! Welcome to the forum.

You need to speak to your neurologist. You might be able to get Mestinon Syrup to have. That should not interfere with the colonoscopy prep at all! It didn't with mine. There are drugs people absolutely need to stay on before any procedure. Talk to the gastroenterologist's office about the tablets too, if you haven't already.

I'm no genius but the stomach is not located in the colon. You could be having issues with your stomach that are completely unrelated to the large intestines. No, I'm not saying not to have the colonoscopy!!! But you need to discuss ALL possibilities with a gastroenterologist.

A few examples of what can go wrong with the stomach/small intestines are H-Pylori (infection), celiac disease, gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), achlorhydria or hypochlorhydria (no or lack of stomach acid - which is very common after 40) and many other problems. There are some simple blood tests doctors can do to rule some things out.

The drug you're on gets rid of stomach acid. What if you don't have enough to begin with? I don't have any. An upper endoscopy is normally done to look at the stomach and small intestines.

And what if the problem is with your gall bladder or pancreas? A simple blood lipase level with liver enzymes too would check for a pancreatic enzyme issue.

I've had a colonoscopy, about a month after my MG crisis no less. I was fine. I had to stay there a bit longer so they could make sure I was okay. I was weaker due to the pain and anesthetic drugs but it did not tank my MG. It can, however, in some myasthenics and, like robocar said, you really need someone around during the procedure who knows about MG.

Is the colonoscopy being done in a hospital or clinic setting?

I think your docs need to really be sure about what is going on with you before more drugs are thrown at you. I hope the colonoscopy goes well and that you do get some answers soon. And I hope your MG does not get more than temporarily worse. Take care and keep asking questions!

Annie

I just finished one and take the same drugs as you. I'm 72 and had colon cancer about 6 years ago so I get them pretty regular. My Dr let me continue to take my MG meds even the morning I went in. I had a long talk with all 3 drs to be sure they understood my problems. The worst part was drinking all that stuff. Here they let you split it in 1/2 drink 1/2 in evening and rest in the morning. I thought I was going to starve to death but after the procedure I wasn't hungry all in my head I guess. Oh I had 6 pre-cancerous polops and 2 normal. GO FOR IT!
Mike

Going through the prep sucks whether you take mestinon or not. Colonoscopy prep is an equal opportunity day destroyer.

I had one. It was not really as bad as I had anticipated. The prep was the only issue. Drinking that awful stuff and then the bathroom issues.......

My doctor used propofol and I was totally out of it. It was like turning off a light and then turning it back on. I didn't have any problems from it at all.

I had a close friend that died of colon cancer. If your neurologist thinks that you will be ok with it, you might want to go for it.

Hi Folks,
Thanks to all who replied to my post. I will take your suggestions and consult again with my doctor before I do this. I appreciate your taking the time to respond.