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On prednison for 3 weeks now but still feel weak, especially my legs, and continue to suffer from shortness of breath. Is long drive safe?

A MGteam Member asked a question 💭
Cavite, Philippines

On mestinon 4x a day too.

October 12
 · 
Be the first to react
A MGteam Member

Prednisone is supposed to slow down your immune system and and will only help slightly. The other medications help more with weakness

October 14
A MGteam Member

Prednisone is slow to work and builds up in your system over time. The Prednisone will slow down the immune attack on your muscles. It works at different speeds on everyone who takes it. If it has shown no improvement in 3 weeks you may want to tell your doctor. The Doctor may want to increase it to get it into your system faster like a C-pack or may wean you off because it might not be working as the doctor was thinking it would. Everyone reacts differently and some medications don’t work at all.

October 14
MGteam

Is it safe to take a long drive while still experiencing leg weakness and shortness of breath on prednisone and Mestinon? That's a really important question to think through carefully.

Given that weakness and shortness of breath are still present, a long drive carries real risks. Muscle weakness affecting the legs could make Show Full Answer

Is it safe to take a long drive while still experiencing leg weakness and shortness of breath on prednisone and Mestinon? That's a really important question to think through carefully.

Given that weakness and shortness of breath are still present, a long drive carries real risks. Muscle weakness affecting the legs could make it harder to operate pedals safely, and shortness of breath can worsen with fatigue — which driving itself can cause.

Here are some key things to consider:
- Mestinon works best about 1.5 to 2 hours after a dose — if driving, timing it around peak effectiveness matters
- Muscle weakness tends to get worse later in the day, so early morning drives are generally safer
- Shortness of breath that hasn't resolved after 3 weeks on prednisone is worth flagging with a neurologist before any long trip
- If a long drive is necessary, frequent rest stops and having another driver available would be strongly advisable Prednisone can take several weeks to months to show its full effect for myasthenia gravis, so ongoing weakness at 3 weeks isn't unusual — but persistent shortness of breath is something a neurologist should know about promptly, as it can be a warning sign that needs attention.

Please reach out to your healthcare team before making that trip. Safety first — the road will still be there when feeling stronger! 🚗

October 12

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