Thursday, January 30, 2014

Case Report: Double Seronegative Myasthenia Gravis with Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Our daily search for updates regarding myasthenia gravis turned up the following case study from The Journal of Medical Case Reports. As noted in the introduction, myasthenia gravis is often related to other autoimmune diseases and outside conditions. It is the opinion of many that when myasthenia gravis presents itself, it can be a symptom of or associated with another disease. In the following case study the suspected associated condition is antiphospholipid syndrome.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

"Why I Can't Smile" - A Single Mom's Story About Living with Myasthenia Gravis

Amy Guy - The Woman Who 
Couldn't Smile
Many of us with generalized  myasthenia gravis have difficulty communicating through facial expressions. The muscles that normally reflect mood, pleasure laughter or a simple smile are expressions that just don't work properly. So we are often misunderstood during both our speaking and our feedback to others when we are listening. Even after 30 years of marriage my wife will sometimes misinterpret an otherwise lighthearted quip as cutting sarcasm because I cannot smile enough to indicate that 'I'm joking'.

When I ran across the story of Amy Guy, a single mom, I was particularly taken with the headline of "Why I can't smile". It's something that we MGers are aware of but we don't talk about very much. So, from across the pond, the story is re-posted here on MyastheniaGravisBlog.com

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Free Radicals May Affect MG and Autoimmune Disease

Steven Lau
By Steven Lau

It is suspected that free radicals are the root cause of many diseases. While most studies look at free radicals in the context of the aging process, Steven Lau suspects that there may be a connection between free radicals and MG. Steven, who has MG himself, has researched and written extensively about MG. His book, 'My Myasthenia Gravis' is an account of his research as he developed his own Holistic Approach to finding relief from the symptoms of MG. The following article, discussing free radicals, is from a recent post to his MG disorder blog.

Cells make up your body's organs. As these cells die, your body's organs

Prednisone side effects: Leg muscle cramps and spasms

Sometimes the 'cure' for a disease can have side effects that are almost as bad as the disease itself. Such is the case for many patients that are being treated with Prednisone. While the list of Prednisone side effects are many, one that might sneak up on you (and your doctor) is leg muscle cramps and spasms (charlie horses). And if you're also taking Mestinon (pyridostigmine), as most MG patients are, you might suspect it rather than the predsnidone. A logical assumption for sure. But overlooking the prednisone side effect of erratic muscle activity in the legs - especially in the calf and

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Medical marijuana approved for myasthenia gravis in the state of Illinois

Agencies prepare as Illinois medical marijuana law takes effect
By Jim Hagerty
Staff Writer for Rock River Times

Medical marijuana has been approved for use by patients with myasthenia gravis in Illinois. The state is now among 19 others that have enacted legislation last year to legalize medical marijuana. The new law went into effect Jan. 1st, 2014. Myasthenia gravis is not usually listed specifically in medical marijuana legislation so it is noteworthy that lawmakers in Illinois decided to do so. A list of qualifying illnesses is below.