Norpace and Mestinon

[jcsmaestra]

I have had increasing bladder problems with Norpace (taking for 2 yrs.). I take 200 mg twice a day. My urologist said that some patients on Norpace develop weak bladders. I mentioned this to my cardiologist and he told me to take Mestinon 180mg once a day. I took one dose on Tue. and experienced such frightening side effects for 2 days that I didn't take the next dose. Five minutes after taking it I started seeing spots in front of my eyes and felt weak and faint. After an hour I felt dizzy and extremely sleepy. My vision was slightly distorted. I napped most of the day. The next day I attempted to drive to the store but had to turn return home. I felt dizzy, weak, and slightly disoriented. Shortly after I had severe diarrhea. Again I slept most of the day. Also slept all night. Today I think I feel better and need to go for my haircut. I'll see how I feel.

Another thing: When I first took it I felt some palpitations for about 30 sec. Later on, when I took my Norpace before bed I noticed some palpitations again. It might be helpful to know that I have an ICD.

I called the pharmacy and they told me these side effects would go away in about 5 days or less. I don't think I can live that way for 5 days. I also have a call in to my cardiologist.

How necessary is it to take Mestinon along with Norpace? Do most patients on Norpace take Mestinon? If I don't take it, will I experience a serious bladder problem?

[Pam Alexson]

Took me awhile to find info on this drug but I did:

http://www.medical-look.com/reviews/Mestinon.html

Myself I would be thinking maybe a different med other then Norpace could be more agreeable. Are you seeing a cardiologist well versed in HCM?

I have recently had to add some different meds to my regime and just last night experienced a seemingly very toxic interaction between 2. I will not go through that again and it was rather a frightful experience until it settled down. I will be calling the doctor and pharmacist this AM. I believe some things we can adjust to and some are just too intense and too adverse.

Talk very candidly to your cardiologist about what happened to you... it sounds time to change out the culprit if it is that serious as you say.

[jcsmaestra]

Thanks for the info, Pam. I will definitely be having a long talk with my cardiologist who does specialize in HCM.

[Janet]

I take 2-60mg pills of Mestinon anywhere from three to four times a day because I have Myasthenia Gravis and this is the only drug for this disease. I have been taking this drug for twenty one years (since age 28) and have never heard of anyone taking this drug for anything but Myasthenia Gravis. Shows what I know. I ALWAYS take this drug with a meal otherwise I end up in the bathroom for quite a long time with the trots, every nerve in my body will start pulsing (my toes will even start moving on their own), I get excessive saliva in my mouth, break out in a sweat and many times become weaker and dopey-headed. These are very rough side effects I have dealt with, but there really isn't a choice for me. I would seriously talk to your cardiologist and find something else to take instead of Mestinon.

Be well, Janet

[Cynaburst]

When I went on Norpace my cardiologist wrote me a prescription for Mestinon and he told me that it would combat the side effects. I decided that I took enough medications anyway, so I would try to ride out the Norpace side effects without, and that was what I did for the 2.5 years that I took Norpace. I never tried it, but I did once talk to another person who was on Norpace who did take the Mestinon....I can't remember who it was. But, it is sometimes prescribed to deal with the dry mouth and urinary retention that is caused by Norpace. There is no requirement that you have to take one with the other. It is just for your comfort.

When I went to Mayo for my myectomy and they put me back on the Norpace, noone ever said anything to me about the Mestinon.

P.S. I took 600 mg. of Norpace, before surgery and I took 300 mg. after surgery for about 4 months. I have been off Norpace for 3 years now.