Re: MG crisis

Posted By Tess on October 02, 1997 at 02:43:58:

In Reply to: Re: MG crisis posted by CCF MD on September 26, 1997 at 09:50:19:









: : Hi,
I was diagnosed with MG in April.  My symptoms affect my facial muscles, toungue functions, swallowing .  I have been doing research and have discovered MG crisis.  My problem is that I live in a rural area where my local doctor hadn't heard of myasthenia gravis before.  The closest hospital is 30 miles from here...and the doctors there don't know my condition.  Could you give me the prodedures to use or suggest what should be done in case I am ever in MG crisis?  Thank you.



     =


: You need to educate yourself and your doctor. MG is an autoimmune disorder of neuromuscular
junctions, characterized by weakness and fatigability of skeletal muscles. Typically, the extraocular
and eyelid muscles are affected early, producing symptoms of double vision and drooping eyes (ptosis).
The limb muscles are often weak, with proximal muscles (closer to your body) more affected than distal
muscles (feet, hands). Life threatening weakness of muscles of respiration and swallowing may occur; and the patient is
said to be in crisis. If properly treated most MG patients can return to full productive lives
At present four methods of treatment are available
1) enhancement of neuromuscular transmissio (anticholinesterase) agents. These are medications such as
mestinon that help keep the neurotransmitter Ach around so that it can stimulate
the remaining receptors on the muscles.
2) surgical thymectomy. You need to speak to a neurologist about possibly having your thymus gland removed.
3) immunosuppression with steroids since the disorder is thought to be autoimmune.
4) plasmapheresis to clean the blood of circulating antibodies.
Any myasthenic patient who complains of shortness of breath or increasing swallowing problems
should be evaluated and admitted to the hospital if warrented.
If you doctor is not the familiar with the disorder you might also wish to see a lung doctor (pulmonologist) who
can evaluate your breathing status.
My best advice is that you ned to see a neuromuscular specialist who has delt with MG patients so they can sit
down with you and tell you what to look out for and what your treatment should be. Some of the medications used to treat the
disorder can at times also make it worse.
Good luck.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician
for diagnostic and treatment options of your specific medical condition.

Please contact the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation, and request information be sent both to YOU and to  your physician.  A p hysician's and a nurse's manual are available for this purpose.
MGFA can be contacted at ***@**** and [phone]  in Chicago.
They will send info worldwide, and suggest local chapters.
Detailed info can be found on myasthenic crisis and support, from the MG Links homepage
at:  http://pages.prodigy.com/myasthenia
You  should also contact the Muscular Dystrophy Association,  which will put you in contact with a clinic and specialists
close to  you.  MG is covered under MDA and services/contact info are listed on my  website



My MG is not a sportscar!