Connect with others who understand.

  •   Learn from expert-reviewed resources
  •   Real advice from people who’ve been there
  •   People who understand what you’re going through
Sign Up Log In
All Resources Treatments A-Z Personal Assistant Help Center Crisis
Powered By
Real members of MGteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

I take Pyridostigmine the only time I have diarrhea is in the morning after I eat , any suggestions?

A MGteam Member asked a question 💭
Reading, MI
December 17, 2025
 · 
Reactions
A MGteam Member

Medications affect every person differently. I take Pyridostigmine (Mestinon) and Oxcarbazepine (Triteptal) at 8:00 am with breakfast. I take Mycophenolate (CellCept) two hours later. (I also take the same at 8:00pm and 10:00pm.) I had bathroom issues at the beginning but it calmed down as my body adjusted to the meds. I had a protein shake made with coconut milk for breakfast as I couldn't chew and am lactose intolerant. It's trial and error with all medications and food with MG. I now am on Ultomiris infusions and my oral meds. (Ultomiris has been a miracle drug for me.) Issues aren't as bad. I also take Imodium after the first or second trip to the bathroom. No sense letting it go on all day.

December 17, 2025
A MGteam Member

Dont eat breakfast lol. Seriously it is a problem. My problem has been making it to the bathroom in time. Once your body adjust to the meds it should ease off. Again try ammodium before taking the pyridostigine.

December 17, 2025
A MGteam Member

Brinda, I know you have really struggled with this. I too had diarrhea while taking Mestinon ER. I found a couple of unexpected solutions. The first, drinking only bottled water rather than filtered from the tap. This helped quite a bit. Second, I started eating a forkful of fermented sauerkraut daily. I’m not sure what I expected from this but it has helped immensely. Wish you could find some relief.

December 17, 2025
MGteam

How can you manage morning diarrhea when taking pyridostigmine?

Diarrhea is a known side effect of pyridostigmine, and it can be particularly bothersome for some people. Since you're noticing it specifically in the morning after eating, here are some strategies that might help:

Timing adjustments
* Try taking your Show Full Answer

How can you manage morning diarrhea when taking pyridostigmine?

Diarrhea is a known side effect of pyridostigmine, and it can be particularly bothersome for some people. Since you're noticing it specifically in the morning after eating, here are some strategies that might help:

Timing adjustments:
* Try taking your pyridostigmine with food rather than on an empty stomach, or vice versa - experiment to see what works better for your system
* Consider whether adjusting the timing of your morning dose relative to breakfast makes a difference

Dietary considerations:
* Eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of larger ones
* Avoid foods that commonly trigger diarrhea (like high-fat, spicy, or very fibrous foods) in the morning
* Stay hydrated throughout the day

Talk to your doctor about:
* Whether your current dose might need adjustment
* If taking your medication at a slightly different time could help
* Whether any other medications or supplements might ease this side effect

A MGteam member wisely noted to "take time to rest" and "always listen to your body" - this applies to noticing patterns with your symptoms too.

If the diarrhea is significantly affecting your quality of life or you're experiencing other concerning symptoms, definitely reach out to your neurologist. They may have additional solutions or could adjust your treatment plan.

December 17, 2025

Related Questions

View All
Prevalence of Myasthenia Gravis in the US and Worldwide
Why Is Myasthenia Gravis Called the ‘Snowflake Disease?’
Is Myasthenia Gravis Autoimmune? How Does It Affect the Immune System?