Pick a card...Myasthenia or MS?

[lilviking]

I was diagnosed with MG just over one year ago and have been on Mestonin since. In the beginning it seemed to help a little in my effort to spend the day out of bed. The thing is that mornings were no better than the rest of the day and there has been no change in the frequency issue. At times it is so bad that thinking about a glass of water is enough to make me rush to the bathroom. Also, on top of muscle fatigue in legs and arms (mainly right side) there is weakness and spasticity. It all started again a short time ago with my thigh and calf muscles twitching and hardening and giving me a pulling and burning feeling. I also started getting an itchy feeling in my muscles for no reason. There are no signs of allergic reaction such as redness or rashes. Just before it started this time I noticed that frequency increased to the pint of needing to go immediately after drinking any liquid as well as increased pain and weakness in arms and legs. I also started having severe muscle cramps and spasms. We have just moved back to Norway as I was not able to go back to work as I had hoped so I will be meeting with a new neurologist soon to discuss my history and diagnosis. What do you think? There have been some cases of patients having both MS and MG, but this is extremely rare and usually consists of a drug-induced form of MG.

[cindylee]

Lilviking
From the research I've been doing lately.....having some other auto immune disease along with the MG is quite often the case. I was originally diagnosed with MS.....but then it was changed to RA....and then most recently they added the MG.
I am on Mestinon right now....but it really just helps with the drooping eyelid and crooked mouth.....and sometimes gives me a little extra strength....but we're just talking enough to do some stuff around the house. Like cook myself a meal....do laundry...etc. At this point I am pretty much confined to the house and to the bed. The specialist I saw last week is looking over my EMG data to decide on what other treatment is needed. I am hoping for the surgery .......I am very sensitive to most medications.
Has your doctor discussed any other treatment options for you? And what do you take for your MS?

[Tootsie]

Welcome Viking Friend! I have several questions. Did you ever see an internist? How long have you had the problem with frequency and urgency? Were you ever tested for diabetes, either the mellitus form or insipidus?

From what you report, I wonder if you have diabetes insipidus. It is mainly a disorder of salt metabolism, so your body does not retain enough salt to function properly. The main symptom is constant urination because you do not retain enough salt to hang on to the water! I think you should check this out. Cheerio.

[elke]

Hi Lilviking!

You might want to consider getting your thyroid antibodies checked. Since you have MG, there is an increased risk of other autoimmune diseases, including thyroid. I have Hashimoto's Encephalopathy, which can cause some spasticity, among other symptoms. Many patients with HE have normal thyroid hormone levels, so make sure they check your antibodies even if the hormones come back okay.
I hope you get your answer soon.

[rose]

Also consider B12 malabsorption. Severe malabsorption of B12 is often a result of autoimmune disfunction. And the damage can masquerade as MS and a variety of other problems.

My antennae especially perk up when a confusing array of problems is confusing doctors. B12 deficiency is often overlooked and most docs have no idea how to rule it out.

My website is still in its infancy, and that in some ways is a good thing. Lots of basic information most physicians do not know, and it is short enough to read through. http://roseannster.googlepages.com/home

rose