Figuring out whether Mestinon (pyridostigmine) is too high or causing a cholinergic crisis involves looking at symptoms and, when needed, a medical test.
Here are the key warning signs of a cholinergic crisis to watch for:
- Difficulty breathing
- Slow heart rate
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Excessive sweating or Show Full Answer
Figuring out whether Mestinon (pyridostigmine) is too high or causing a cholinergic crisis involves looking at symptoms and, when needed, a medical test.
Here are the key warning signs of a cholinergic crisis to watch for:
- Difficulty breathing
- Slow heart rate
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Excessive sweating or saliva
- Blurred or double vision
- Muscle twitching
- Needing to urinate more frequently Both a cholinergic crisis and a myasthenic crisis can cause muscle weakness and breathing trouble, which makes them hard to tell apart on symptoms alone.
A healthcare provider can give a drug called edrophonium to help distinguish between the two:
- If symptoms worsen after the test, a cholinergic crisis is likely
- If symptoms improve, a myasthenic crisis is more likely
Tracking your symptoms regularly is really valuable, as it helps your care team spot patterns and respond faster in an emergency. It's worth noting that a cholinergic crisis is actually quite rare at normally prescribed Mestinon doses. However, if any of those warning signs appear, seeking medical attention immediately is critical — it can be life-threatening.
June 29
Join
Your Privacy Choices
