Steroids
Although pyridostigmine is the first choice for the treatment of myasthenia gravis patients but it gives relief from the symptoms for only a shorter period of time. The doctors then suggest steroid tablets to reduce the weakness and muscular pain. Steroids like prednisolone work by decreasing the activity of the immune system thus avoiding the immune response to stop the attacks on body’s neurological transmission system. Steroids are usually a part of the hospital setting treatment for the myasthenia gravis patients who suffer from breathing or swallowing difficulties or if the patient is experiencing worsening of their symptoms. The medication treatment through steroids works quickly by alleviating any muscular weakness and pain. The doctors advise the patients to take steroid tablets every other day to help with the symptoms of myasthenia gravis. Moreover, some patients might need a higher dose of steroids at first depending on the severity of their symptoms. The doctors also recommend decreasing the dosage of steroid tablets once your symptoms are getting under control. The reason behind the gradual lowering of steroid dose is that the long-term intake of steroids might lead to unpleasant symptoms such as higher risk of getting infections, mood swings, and weight gain.