DO THYMECTOMIES REALLY HELP?

Hi,  I hope you can help me.  I am writing about my father.  (65 years, 6' 2", 375 lbs).  He was diagnosed with generalized Myesthenia Gravis in 1987.  He went into crisis in 1988 and has been on numerous immuno therapies since then.  He has also struggled with the many side effects that go along with these treatments.  In 2004 he had quadruple bypass and at the same time, his thymus gland was removed.  He is now on cyclosporin and has been doing o.k.  He is seeing a neorologist in Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pa.  What I am wondering, is if there is any way to test the levels of antibodies in his blood to see if the thymectomy has reduced the levels.  His neurologist states that there is no way to tell.  I'm not expecting my father to go into remission from the thymectomy, but it sure would be nice if he wouldn't have to take so many harmful drugs that cause him so many other problems.  (Water weight, kidney stones, compression fractures, etc.)  It would also be nice if he could get back to a somewhat normal life without so many health issues.  I sincerely appreciate any help or info anyone could provide me with or if you could let me know who else I could contact about this.  Thank You for your time.  Heather

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

I'm sorry to hear what your father is going through at this point.  Thymectomy will only have a dramatic impact in the management of myasthenia gravis if there is a proven thymoma (a nodule or a mass in the thymus gland) that is secreting all of these antibodies causing myasthenia gravis.  However, even normal looking thymus glands can still contribute to the pathogenesis of myasthenia, although removing this normal thymus may not have the same impact (though may still be beneficial) compared to an abnormal one.  I agree that there is no way to measure these antibodies accurately.  To reduce the risk of your father suffering from the side effects of these medications, you can discuss with your neurologist about tapering the dosages to the very minimum, just enough to prevent MG symptoms.  However, this may carry a risk of a flare during tapering.  I hope the correct balance of management can be instituted and that your father can be fully functional.  Regards and God bless..

[kelsari]

i have been diagnosed with mg and i am soon due to have my thymus gland removed doctors have told me everything is normal just it will help and can even make my mg go in to remission. am not to sure if this is going to be benifical as i am told am still going to be taken tablets after woulds as my mg can worsen. am really confussed what to do has anyone been in the same situation or can give any advice as to this operation and would it help me thank you.