should all MG patiences be on so dosage of predisone?

How much do you take?

First of, let me say Welcome to neurotalk! It is a GREAT site to meet other's with MG - and let me tell you, it is the greatest bunch of people I have ever come across!

Now, as for your question about Pred. It really depend on the person. There are people who get along fine with just Mestinon, and others (like me) who NEED pred in order to live a "normal" life...........I am so thankful for the pred - it has truly worked wonders for me - hate the side effects!

Now, if you have the time, please let us know a little about yourself! When were you dx'ed, what your symptoms were, etc......

Take care!
Erin

Not all of us take pred...my neuro-doc is dead set against prednisone cuz of the problems associated, side effects.....He would however, add Cellcept to the Mestinon when nec..good luck...

Dottie ...

Hi,

I haven't taken pred by choice, but I had a thymectomy and take mestinon. How are you doing and what meds do you take? Take care.

Pat

Hi AD 404
I fluctuate between 10 & 40 mg, I try to stay as low as possible, I can't seem to get below the 10 mark. I run into trouble with my eyes, Muscle weakness, fatigue. Love hate relationship ! LOL.....
Nice to meet you !
Mary

I have only been on Prednisone 2 times. I took it for one week before my thymectomy to help control the symptoms. Then about 3 months after that my eye got really drooped and I took it again for one week. I only took 8mg a day for one week each time I had it prescribed.

So far, all I take is Mestinon - but I am newly diagnosed. My follow up appointment is next month, so perhaps there will be discussion on prednisone. They were quick to point out that Mestinon does not cure - it just controls. The dosage and the effectiveness is different between people and even for the same person on different days!

My impression was that prednisone is an attempt to 're-set' the immune system in the hopes of remission, but I don't know that for a fact. (Bet more experienced folks can tell us!)

I think the decision to take or be prescribed prednisone depends on a lot of factors. I know that for me, my neuro. is only currently prescribing Mestinon and plasma exchanges as well as IViG. She hasn't attempted to prescribed prednisone for me. May be because my symptoms are mainly bulbar (weak face, slurred/nasal speech (with no ocular symptoms, oddly)). Also, mine is pretty severe (I have a thymoma, so that might be why, not sure though). I read a lot of things that indicated that prednisone can temporarilly make the symptoms worse, so she might be worried that I'll stop breathing or something. My immune system is also a bit on the weaker side when it comes to the things it's supposed to be destroying! All in all, I'm pretty relieved at the moment that I'm not taking it. My dad has been taking it for dermatomyositis for 12-years. He has osteoporosis and a number of other problems due to the pred.. On the other hand, pros and cons must always be weighed. Taking prednizone might be really helpful for a short time and might keep the symptoms at bay for a long time.

If your symptoms are limited to your eyes (ptosis/double vision), I've read that it's common for only mestinon to be prescribed.

All in all, I think docs. try to avoid prescribing it if they can get away with that (i.e. the patient will do okay without it). I've had arthritis for quite a few years as well. It's not severe, but it can be pretty painful. My rheumy has never suggested taking prednisone for it, even though it's autoimmune.

P.S. Sorry for the long post! lol

it is my sister who has the MG I know that she is on Mestinon and goes for treatments . Right now she is battling with insurance company . I really want her to join your group of wonderful people. God bless you all . I think you are all amazing people