I have been just diagnosed with MG and my main symptom was a droopy eyelid. I haven't been back to the Dr. since being confirmed by blood tests but the Dr. has put me on 60 MG twice daily of Mestinon (Generic). Since I don't see the Dr for a little more than a week still I haven't got any answers as to how long it takes for the drug to kick in. I have seen a slight improvement and have had side effects include muscle twitching in my sleep which led to soreness throughout the body and also one bout of uncontrollable bowel movement. I would like to know about how long your experiences were to noticeable improvement. Since driving is a big part of my job, I have concerns that I can keep on doing it.

Mestinon usually starts working within an hour. It is a short acting drug so wears off in a few hours. When I first started taking it I had those same side effects. They should settle down as your body adjusts. If not, you may have to take a smaller dose and take it more often in order to get the benefit without the side effects. I cannot tolerate more than thirty mg at once, just need to take it every two hours.

Does the effect of the drug accumulate in time or when it wears of are you back to square one? I haven't seen enough improvement to keep taking it if it wears off in only a few hours.

pdsmith, I can feel mestinon working after about 20 min. It may reach full effect after an hour. It isn't the type of drug that takes weeks to 'kick in'. It doesn't help everyone, but for those it helps, it really is a good drug. Your comment about bowel and twitching are typical side effects. I take 30mg every 2 hours as needed. If I don't need it to relieve symptoms, I don't take it. Talk to your neuro about how to best take it for your situation. I hope it can help you and I hope you feel better soon.

Unfortunately, when it wears off, you are back to square one because the body eliminates it fairly quickly. It does not have a cumulative effect. But that is the reason why it may work better to split your dose and take more often so that you always have a dose going in and coming out. Most of the time the doctors prescribe 60 mg three times a day to start, but you will find that you have to find what schedule works for you because every individual handles it differently.

My body absorbs just about any drug I take fairly rapidly, then I get all the results at once and am left symptomatic until the next dose. This is just a suggestion and may not work for you, but is worth a try as long as you don't exceed the daily dose your doctor has prescribed.

pdsmith,

I take mestinon 60 mil 4 times a day. I don't have the side effects any where near as bad as you. However, I also have a droopy eyelid problem, that is not completely solved with mestinon. It helps, but when my eyes are strained or bright sunlight, it will still act up.I use surgical clear tape at times to help hold up my eyelid.
Wish I could help more>
FREDH

I have not really had any side effects except the 1st 1.5 days. I was thinking of going 30 mil 4 times a day to see if that helps. If not I will go back to 60 mil twice daily until I see the Dr. next week. Fog to me is worse than sunlight.

Remember mestinon only last about 3-4 hours. Seems like your 30 mil 4 x day would be better than 60 mil 2 x. Of course your Dr. should advise, but 2 x day will not last between doses. LOL
FREDH

I tried the 30 mils 4 x a day for 2 days and went back to 60 mils 2 daily today just for testing purposes.By the time I took my 2nd pill today my eye was almost closed. But I also had a restless night so I got to take that in consideration. Because I drive a lot for work I think that 4 times daily will work better. I see the neurologist on Monday so I discuss a plan with him then.