Myasthenia gravis plays tricks with his vision, but not his sense of humor

This post was found on the Neurology Now website. I don't think that Denny will mind that I shared it at MyastheniaGravisBlog.com

By Denny Fernald
Retired Professor, University of North Carolina

Soon after I first developed symptoms of myasthenia gravis (MG), I needed to renew my driver's license, which required an eye exam. Since my symptoms included seeing double and droopy eyelids, the exam was nearly impossible. I ended up squinting one eye while holding the

Physical Therapy Benefits for Myasthenia Gravis Patients

Myasthenia gravis creates varying degrees of weakness in the muscles in your face, arms and legs as well as the muscles that control your breathing. Research, published in an issue of the journal “Chest”, indicates that physical therapy breathing techniques can improve respiratory muscle strength in patients with this neuromuscular disease. If you suffer from myasthenia gravis, your doctor may recommend physical therapy exercises to help strengthen your muscles.

Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia gravis -- an autoimmune disease -- results from your body’s immune system producing antibodies that attack its own tissues. In this case, the body produces antibodies that block or destroy muscle receptors necessary for nerve-to-muscle communication and subsequent muscle contraction.

Local TV station highlights little girl diagnosed with myasthenia gravis

Little Hattie Ewert - diagnosed with MG

It's rare to see anything about MG in the news. Even during MG month (June) when there are walks and special events across the country, coverage is slim. To be fair to the media, myasthenia gravis is rare and difficult to explain to the public. Especially when the photography shows seemingly healthy looking people - walking or dancing and generally being happy. Watching happy people have a good time doesn't exactly pull on the heart strings.

But still, from time to time, reports about MG do make it through. What I like about this video from a local TV station in Rapid City, SD, is that it is both heartwarming and informative. Informative because it explains and underscores the variability of the MG symptoms. It's still a 'fluff' piece, don't get me wrong, but either by design or by accident the video highlights the fluctuating nature of myasthenia gravis. And she is so cute.

Vitamin D Deficiency Prevalent in Neuromuscular Disease - Including Myasthenia Gravis

A study unveiled at the 61st annual meeting of the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) that was held October 29 to November 1 in Savannah, Georgia, further underscores the growing awareness of a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in neuromuscular disease.’

The research study, entitled “Surprising Prevalence of Significant Vitamin D Deficiency in Neuro-muscular Disease Clinic in Central Pennsylvania,” was conducted by Sankar Bandyopadhyay, MD of

Anticholinesterase Therapy in the Treatment of Myasthenia Gravis

Anticholinesterase Therapy (Mestinon, Prostigmin, Mytelase)

Anticholinesterase drugs include:

- pyridostigmine (brand-name "Mestinon")
- neostigmine (brand-name "Prostigmin")
- ambenonium chloride (brand-name "Mytelase")

In order for a muscle to contract, the nerve sends a message to the muscle through a neurotransmitter chemical, acetylcholine (ACh). The nerve end releases a considerable amount of ACh, which then makes its way through the

Current Treatments For Myasthenia Gravis

Once considered a fatal disease, the symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis (MG) can largely be controlled in most cases. Today there are treatments; including a variety of  drugs and/or surgery, that can help people who suffer from MG lead nearly normal lives.

Having said that, it is important to understand that there isn't one standard treatment for myasthenia gravis. Though a variety of therapies are available, much more is needed to be learned about MG and how it is diagnosed and treated. One thing is true when it comes to the subject of  'myasthenics', the success of one treatment over another is really dependant on the patient. What will be successful for one person, may not work the same way for another. And what works in one part of the body in a patient, may not work for another part of the body.The doctor will no doubt experiment with different

Lucious Lyon of Empire has what disease?

Based on reporting by ASA Hawks

If you happen to not be one of the almost 17 million viewers who switched their TV sets to the incredibly over-the-top Shark Jumpalooza that was the two-hour season finale of Empire , then please consider not reading from this point forward. That's because this post will be a blogging about perhaps the major spoiler from a few nights ago. So, are you still there? Cool.

So you all know that the central character in the show is Lucious Lyon,

Azathioprine (Imuran) overview in the treatment of Myasthenia Gravis

Azathioprine (Imuran) is in a class of drugs referred to as antimetabolites. Antimetabolites have a course of action that blocks the proliferation of cells. Specifically, the inhibition of T lymphocytes is the thought to be a mechanism for benefit. Research and blood tests confirm that Acetylcholine receptor antibody levels are decreased with the use of  azathioprine as a treatment for myasthenia gravis.

Often Azathioprine is used in patients who have relapsed while using prednisone or as a steroid-sparing agent in patients who have been taking