Myasthenia Gravis

[REL]

First order of business, hi, I'm REL, I'm new here.

With that said, I've noticed something. I rarely get sick, but when I do, it hits me a lot harder than it does anyone around me (including those I've caught it from and given it to). It brings with it an increase in muscle weakness and fatigue, and leaves me confused and irritable. Is this normal for the illness or should I get this checked out further? Has anyone else had similar experiences?

Thanks!

[did]

I am the same way. I usually don't have many symptoms of MG. I am athletic and force myself to exercise despite fatigue and only really get muscle weakness if I overdo it or have lack of sleep. When I get sick, I am "down for the count." Even though I may just have a sinus infection, it really wipes me out. I have been diagnosed in the past with exercise induced asthma and I am wondering if it was really symptoms of MG. When I get sick, my peak flows go down and a burst of prednisone always makes me better, but it also works for MG. I get really tired and clumbsy when I am sick.

[REL]

Hey, thanks for sharing. It's good to know I'm not completely crazy on this one =]

[garydonmccluskey]

hi; I am Gary and new member to the forum. I was diagnosed with mg in dec 09. I recieved 4 days of IVIG along with mestinen and prednisone. Made it pretty well for about 3 months and began to get weaker in the legs and hips. About 5 wks ago, I caught a respiratory virus that started with rattling in the lungs, couphing and then infected one ear. I went downhill rapidly. Started getting around with a walker and could barely hold on in the shower without falling. would have to stop and get breath while putting on socks or pants. I went in hospital 10 days ago and got out yesterday after receiving 7 plasmaperithes treatments (this probably isn't spelled right) but it is total plasma replacement. It did not seem to help me at all except I seemed to get weaker from staying in hospital that long. I am interested in hearing from anyone else that has had the plasma replacement treatments.
So, yes, you are probaly having a hard time with any kind of respiratory illness or cold. Most everything I have read suggests trying to stay clear of these things, but we can't always avoid that.
Hope things are better for you.
sincerely, Gary

[did]

Wow Gary,
That's crazy. I hope you are doing better. I haven't gotten quite that ill, but it does seem to take alot longer for me to get better. One time a got a stomach virus and I was in the hospital for 3 days, it took everyone else one day at home to get over. I ran into a new problem, but not sure if it was from the MG. I recently had a baby and had an emergency c-section. They used the epidural I already had in to do a spinal block. Either I got too much medication or it was my MG in combination with the medication, I was numb from my eyeballs down. I couldn't even see my baby or other's faces or the numbers on the clock, everything was blurry. The medical staff wanted me to help them out by rolling to one side on the litter after the procedure so they could pull the epidural out of my back. I kept telling them that I couldn't move or lift my arms. Someone moved my right arm to the side for me to grab the siderail and hold myself on my side, but then let go of my hand before I could grab, and I broke my writst when my arm came crashing down on the siderail (I had no control, I was that numb). The nurse who recovered me was shocked when I could only feel the ice she was touching me with above my eyeballs. She got the crash cart because she thought I would stop breathing. It took me six hours to recover.

[ebei78]

Hi..i read your post and you said you just had a baby...i just want to know if you have any problem during pregnancy and what medication you took to improve the MG symptoms..I just found out i am pregnant for 2 weeks and it make me very tired and weak. My doctor aks me to stop prednisone and just take mestinon.