Myasthenia Gravis

Question: Do you have myasthenia gravis and have either had a baby or are pregnant? What is your experience? My husband and I are trying to conceive and I have myasthenia gravis. I have discussed everything with my doctor but I want advice from women who have gone through it.

Answer: I personally am not going through this, but I do know another girl that is currently pregnant due in July with her second baby and she does have myasthenia gravis. She had to stop taking some of her medications while she is pregnant. She has some pretty rough days, but for the most part she is doing amazingly. She really wants this baby, and she says everything that she is going through is so worth it. She is very closely watched by her doctor and has biweekly Non Stress Tests, and biophysical fetal profiles. At around 25 weeks she had to be in the hospital for a week, but that quickly ended, and she was back at home in no time. I wish you lots of good luck with TTC.

Question: How can I find people with myasthenia gravis? Hi, I have myasthenia gravis and I would like to find out how to find people who have it too. I know about the MDA.org, but I need more references. Please help.

Answer: if you google it and add forums to it, you may find some that way.

Question: What kind of diseases could be mistaken for Myasthenia Gravis? I am trying to find some diseases/conditions that people can be misdiagnosed with when they really have Myasthenia Gravis. Can you help me, please? I am looking for conditions that could be mistaken for Myesthenia Gravis. Thank you for your source, and no, this is just for a homework assignment for my anatomy and physiology class. I've been doing my internet research, but when I looked at wrongdiagnosis.com, it didn't give me what I wanted, LOL.

Answer: I'm not really an expert on myesthenia gravis, but from the little bit of research I did before answering this question it looks like the main symptom of MG is muscle weakness. That is a pretty vague symptom and could be associated with a lot of other things. Here is the wiki article about muscle weakness. It has a list of conditions that involve muscle weakness: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscle_weakness Did you think you were misdiagnosed? Is that why you're asking? What are your symptoms?

Question: Does anyone know anything about a condition called Myasthenia Gravis? I have heard of a rare neurological condition called Myasthenia Gravis. It affects the muscles of the body and can stop breathing or swallowing and also walking. It can kill you if it gets bad enough. I have been told that it can be caused by the anti - epileptic drug Dilantin if this drug is taken long enough. Has anyone got any more information about this condition or do they know anyone who has it and leaned form first or second hand experience about it.

Answer: I don't know if you watch soap operas, but on Days of Our Lives the actress that plays Maggie (Suzanne Rogers) has it. That's how I heard about it. When she first found out she had it, you could sort of tell by her voice and her neck looked swollen. She must have gotten some treatment, because she seems fine now. "Rogers proved to herself and all her devoted viewers that she could indeed conquer anything when she was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis in 1984. Initially, she was terrified. For one year, during which she took a hiatus from the show, Rogers developed horrible symptoms: she became emaciated, could barely speak and saw with double vision. With medication, therapy and remarkable inner strength, she combated her disease....Since that time, Rogers works to bestow her positive way of thinking on other Myasthenia Gravis patients. She sends cards and calls the afflicted all over the world to tell them of her battle and give them encouragement. Suzanne is now in remission and lives a strong, healthy life." Here's another link: http://www.myasthenia.org/amg_whatismg.cfm This page talks about the link between Dilantin and MG: http://www.ispub.com/ostia/index.php?xmlFilePath=journals/ijn/vol10n2/myasthenia.xml

Question: why ephedrine is given in myasthenia gravis? what is the action of ephedrine if it is given in myasthenia gravis?

Answer: Ephedrine has been used for breathing problems, asthma, and nasal swelling/congestion caused by a cold or allergies. In the case of Myasthenia Gravis, it is used to prevent a myasthenic crisis (difficulty breathing). Ephedrine is available in the US as a nonprescription medication for relief of breathing problems. It is rarely used because there are safer and more effective medications (e.g., albuterol, pseudoephedrine). It is a central nervous system stimulant that increases your heart rate/blood pressure, narrows your blood vessels (vasoconstriction), and opens up the lungs (bronchodilation). Hope that answers your question! Lauren

Question: Is it possible to have complete cure of Myasthenia Gravis? I have rare diseace of Myasthenia Gravis, I wana know its complete cure if it is, Please let me know .........!

Answer: Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease characterized by varying degrees of weakness of the skeletal (voluntary) muscles of the body. The name myasthenia gravis, which is Latin and Greek in origin, literally means "grave muscle weakness." With current therapies, however, most cases of myasthenia gravis are not as "grave" as the name implies. In fact, for the majority of individuals with myasthenia gravis, life expectancy is not lessened by the disorder.

Question: Any information on the progression of myasthenia gravis? My husband was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis about three weeks ago. (He had a droopy eye and some facial sagging, along with one shoulder, for about two weeks before the diagnosis.) Since then, even on the meds, the drooping has moved into the other side of his face. He has found that he cannot see well enough to even work most days, what with the drooping and also double vision and similar things. Is there anyone with insight into what we/he can expect over the next however long? What can he do about things like his job, everyday life, etc? Will this spread to the rest of his body as quickly? Please help...

Answer: I have Myasthenia Gravis diagnosed October 1996 with my eye 3/4 drooped, looked like I had a stroke on right side of my face. Eventually it affected my speech. I also had the arm and leg weakness, swallowing and then eventually, I stopped breathing. Because this disease is rare and some neuros don't treat it properly, it can get very severe. I suggest an aggressive treatment. I was started on only Mestinon which didn't help me at all obviously. Myasthenia Gravis is antibodies that are blocking the signals sent to the receptors at the endplate of voluntary muscles. You have to take meds that halt the antibody production that are called immunosuppressants. These are the same drugs that are used like to prevent kidney transplant rejection. After 2 intubations in July 1997, I was started March 1998 on Imuran and Prednisone. After 7 months, the imuran kicked in and I was like a normal person. Because of the severity of the disease that I experienced, I am able to work part time now and live a near normal life. Look in your phone book for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Call them and tell them of the diagnosis and you need to get into a MG clinic doctor. You can also go to the www.mda.org site and click your zip code and that will tell you a clinic nearest you. Also after diagnosis, the procedure is for your husband to have a catscan of his thymus. Often the thymus is enlarged and/or has a thymoma, whether benign or malignant, is determined by the catscan. Some people get remission just having the thymus removed. Hope this helps. Feel free to contact me at: missloretta2001@yahoo.com

Question: Does anyone have both fibromyalgia and myasthenia gravis? I have myasthenia gravis which causes severe weakness and fibromyalgia which causes severe pain. Treating one affects the other. For example taking flexeril helps the pain of fibro but it causes me to have trouble talking and swallowing. To not treat the pain is out of the question because it's #10 pain. Suicidal pain has been a part of my life for twenty years. Please give me some feedback.

Answer: Hi I don't have Myasthenia gravis, but I do know the severe pain of fibromyalgia. I have been disabled for 2 years, diagnosed 10 yrs ago. I also have been hospitalized for sever depression and attempted suicide due to the constant pain. I haven't found Flexeril very helpful for the pain although it does help the constant tight muscles in my neck and back. I also get trigger point injections and take opioid pain killers 4 times a day which helps alot, I take an antidepressant, an anti anxiety med, a sleep med along with the flexeril. If your not taking anything but the flexeril I would recommend that you see another doctor, your not being treated properly, I recommend a pain clinic, the doctors there are very familiar with Fybromyalgia. My prayers are with you good luck :) P.S. There are also some good web sites, type in chronic pain and search.

Question: Myasthenia Gravis Information Is Greatly Welcome? I was wondering if anyone could tell me ANY information regarding this condition, Myasthenia Gravis. A loved member of my family has it, and I would like to know all there is to know, any stories you might be able to share, and where major treatment facilities are located. Many thanks in advance.

Answer: It is an "auto immune disease" that affects transmission of signals from nerves to muscles. The hallmark of MG is muscle weakness that increases during activity and improves after rest. MG often involves muscles that control eye and eyelid movement, facial expression, chewing, talking, and swallowing. usually the "thymus gland" will be defective in these people. Today we have treatment for it(like thymectomy and medications). Most people can expect to lead normal or nearly normal lives. :-) Nothing to worry about!

Question: myasthenia gravis and the neuromuscular junction? In myasthenia gravis, the following is true about the NMJ in the human muscle fibers? There can be more than one of the following. a. Increased post-synaptic folds. b. A reduced number of ACh receptors. c. An increased rate of destruction of ACh receptors. d. A narrowed synaptic space. e. A normal nerve terminal

Answer: B. If the myasthenia gravis is autoimmune (about 90% of cases), then the body makes antibodies against the Nm receptors (to which Ach binds). This would result in a decreased number of functional Nm receptors since the body is attacking them. It would seem like C could be the answer as well, but in the congential form of the disease, there is usually a decreased number of receptors.

Question: Myasthenia Gravis? hey im 13 with Myasthenia Gravis does ane1 hav this who is like atleast NEAR my age?I also have epstein barr and asthma.I know its not common but does ane1 no ane1 who has this in there teens?

Answer: It may be easier for you to locate others via a association for people with Myasthenia Gravis, such as http://www.myasthenia.org/mgfa_chapters.…

Question: what is the pathology diagram of myasthenia gravis? myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the infected individuals have altered neuromuscular transmissions leading to muscle fatigue and stress.

Answer: An autoimmune condition. Autoantibodies bind and blocks the ACh receptor at the postsynaptic neuromuscular junction, preventing the stimulatory effect of acetycholine and giving the symptoms

Question: the pathology of multiple sclerosis to that of myasthenia gravis can you explain in layman term? compare multiple sclerosis to that of myasthemin gravis. please help I dont understand the medical term maybe if it was in layman term it would make more sense to me.

Answer: I found this answer online. http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/… What is the difference between Myasthenia Gravis and Multiple Sclerosis? Both Myasthenia Gravis and Multiple Sclerosis are autoimmune diseases, but differ in that MS affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), while MG affects the nerve-muscle communication point of the peripheral nervous system (outside the brain and spinal cord). There is no clear connection between MG and MS. Hope that helps.

Question: Do i need to explain to everyone that i have Myasthenia gravis?? i am a 22 year female with myasthenia gravis 2 years ago. I'm getting sick and tired of myself for not being healthy enough and quite embarass to look at people straight in their eye for my left eye is cross which make me see double evey time i look up. i just want to be back to be normal, even with medicine, it not helpng at all! I'm still young and this illness is making me losing my social life. What kind of health insurace out there that approve me for this illness? are there any alternative medicines, herbal treatment beside western meds?

Answer: I was diagnosed with MG at the age of 46 and I am now 57. No matter what the age, if still affects your life for I was in the prime of a career and life. It came on me with droopy eyes 3/4 shut, drunk walk upon taking a walk, and I looked like I had a stroke on right side of my face. I was diagnosed by a positive test on the AcHr test conducted by a neuroopthomoligist. I didn't have insurance at the time but the Muscular Dystrophy Association linked me up with an MDA clinic which my visits were no charge. I did have my thymectomy 7 months after the test and 4 months after the MDA doc did the final confirmation from a strenuous workout. I did improve after the thymectomy but went downhill real bad to the point I ended up on the ventilator 2 times in May 1997. I do contribute that to not enough aggressive treatment. I was first put on prednisone at high doses and then later my neuro near home took from June 1997 to March 1998 to put me on Imuran, an immunsuppressant. It took to October 1998 to kick in and I felt great. I came off prednisone and was doing well. I did allow another neuro to take me off Imuran and I crashed very severely in July 2002. Now I am working part time which is set by my neuro. I will never work full time again and I get my SSD. It was rough for I got to the point I was a ragdoll. My advice to you is to treat this disease very aggressively. Mestinon wasn't enough. As you find the right combination of meds, you can lead a near normal life. I did go through the emotional part for the love of my life of 6 years did leave once I was diagnosed but that was his own ignorance. My life has changed tremendously for now I take care of me and have set boundaries in my life. I do know different people get IVIG's and instead of Imuran take Cellcept. Also most mgers do take an antidepressant to allow you to stay emotionally stable through the ups and downs of this disease. I keep the philosophy that if it is broke, fix it so DO NOT give up. I have fired 5 docs in my MG life and I have a great team right now. Also I know of women that have given birth but with the supervision of their neurologist. I recommend you to join a support group online at yahoo which is bettesmyastheniagravissupport. You will learn alot and talk to people that do understand what you are experiencing. Anytime you want to talk, email me: missloretta2001@yahoo.com and I will help you as much as I can. Go out and reach for that wellness that is there and don't settle for less!! Good luck and God Bless

Question: How fast does myasthenia gravis move through the body? My husband has just been diagnosed, and we are wondering what to expect. Things like how likely is he to end up with it in his arms, legs, etc, and if so, how soon?

Answer: There is no way to know for sure if your husband will end up with it in his arms and legs, but many people do. The good news is that he has gotten a diagnosis, so now he can get proper treatment. Take a look at the sources below, which give you some more detailed information about it, but of course your husband's doctor will know more about what to expect in his particular case. I hope all goes well.

Question: What is the difference between Eaton Lambert Syndrome and Myasthenia Gravis? I see they both have many similarities but what is the major difference? I am doing a case study with a patient who was diagnosed with both, which is one of only 6 cases known.

Answer: That's kinda complex! You're quite right in that Eaton-Lambert and MG both have similar features - they usually manifest as weakness, either of limb muscles or eye movements, although MG more frequently affects the eyes. MG is auto-immune, and has a characteristic antibody that can be detected in the blood (anti-cholinesterase), whereas Eaton-Lambert does not. The electromyogram findings can be similar in that they both show reduction in the muscle potential with repeat stimulation at low frequencies - the difference in Eaton-Lambert is that with high frequency stimulation, the potentials classically will INCREASE. One other thing to note is that Eaton-Lambert is often associated with the presence of cancer - it's one of the 'paraneoplastic' syndromes.