plasmapharasis cofusion
 

I am very confused with my neurologist (#6). The doctor seems wishywashy
about jumping to plasmapharasis. The doctor has lost hospital priviledges at the local hospital. One minute the doctor wants to have it done at a long term care facility, the next minute the doctor wants to do it under the primary care doctor. The next minute the doctor wants to go to a hospital 25miles away.

The doctor isn't sure if the plasmapharasis is coverd under medicare.

I have had MG for 6 years. The only problem that I have had was at the begining when I didn't take the prednisone, and had a crisis. After 2 weeks on a ventilator, and a week of rehab in the hospital. I went on low dose (20 mg daily of predisone and 30 mg mestinon 4 times daily). Since then then, I have been able to manage MG very well.

The only problem that I have at the present time is not being able to chew.
This is the same doctor that recommennded uping the prednisone to 120 mg daily. I did not go up. I was able to get it under control by going up to 60 mg daily, and tapering back down to 15-20 mg daily. I realize that I need to get a second opinion, however there are not any other neurologists available in my area.

My questions are
1. Does weak chewing warrant plasma pharasis?
2. How many treatments does it take to improve chewing?
3.What problems are possible?

I don't know the answer to your questions, but I know that I take mestinon 60 mg 5 times a day. It seems like increasing your mestinon dosage would be a lot less invasive and less expensive. Have you tried that yet?

I fully agree with Celeste, I also take 5 Mestinon 60 mg per day and have one plasma exchange every 6 weeks.
Maurice.