Physicians need specialized training to perform single-fiber examinations. The choice of a treatment for a patient is based on the severity of symptoms, age, sex, level of physical activity, other medical conditions, and side effects of medications. Treatment decisions should be made after the patient has a thorough understanding of the disease, treatment options, and the complications of treamtent. The usual first treatment is with anticholinesterase medications, like Mestinon. Mestinon improves the manner in which the nerve and muscle communicate.
Patients often feel stronger, and their symptoms are significantly improved.
The medication, however, only works for 2 to 6 hours before the effects wear off. The reason for this test is that 10-15 percent of myasthenics have a tumor of the thymus gland, a thymoma. The thymoma needs to be removed by a cardiothoracic surgeon experienced with such surgery. If a patient's symptoms are not adequately treated with Mestinon, then therapies which suppress the immune system are the next step. Prednisone is usually the first drug used.