Monday, October 15, 2018

Huperzine-A May Be A Low Cost Replacement For Mestinon For Some Myasthenia Gravis Patients

My search for a substitute for pyridostigmine (Mestinon) lead me down many paths several years ago. It was fascinating research. I discovered two natural botanical supplements that can inhibit acetylcholinesterase - the enzyme that breaks down the acetylcholine that helps our muscles work. Just as with pyridostigmine,

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Grieving What Myasthenia Gravis Has Stolen From You

Once upon a time, I was healthy and vibrant, reveling in the promises of the future. There is something so delightful about the naivety of youth. It is unspoiled and untainted by the stains of this world. It thrives in the dreams of tomorrow and the wondrous audacity that nothing will stop you as you reach for your dreams — the bigger, the better.

Thursday, August 2, 2018

MG Support Group Forms In Harlingen Texas

HARLINGEN — Karen Mau didn’t know what she had.

She knew some strange symptoms had beset her, including muscle weakness, a drooping eyelid, double vision and slurred speech.

She came up with all sorts of explanations for the symptoms, but none proved true.

Drooping eyelid?

Friday, July 6, 2018

Autoimmune Disease Rates Rise While Infectious Disease Rates Fall

In a recent newspaper article by the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Ms Sicily Kariuki, a detailed analysis of non-communicable diseases as a leading cause of our health burden was laid bare. She captured the current and anticipated trends of non-communicable diseases and the need for a combined approach in combating threats posed by the diseases. In particular, the CS singled out cardiovascular dis-eases, diabetes and obesity-driven diseases.

It is, however, important to note that autoimmune diseases are also on the rise.

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Misdiagnosis Very Common In Those Later Found To Have Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia Gravis in and of itself is not a fatal condition. However, effects of this disease can be fatal if a correct diagnosis and correct treatment is not given. Even many medications can cause a Myasthenia crisis which can, in some cases, require life support systems and even cause death.

I was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis in March of 2016. I, as well as several others here in the RGV, had our Myasthenia Gravis incorrectly diagnosed by medical

Friday, May 11, 2018

Facts About The Forgotten But Important Thymus Organ.

Though the thymus is a little-known organ in the body, it does some very important things. It is part of the lymphatic system, along with the tonsils, adenoids and spleen, and it's also part of the endocrine system.

Function
The thymus produces progenitor cells, which mature into T-cells (thymus-derived cells). The body uses T-cells help destroy infected or cancerous cells. T-cells created by the thymus also help other organs in the immune system grow properly.

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

"Revolutionary" Cancer Drugs May Have Severe And Deadly Neurological Effects

LOS ANGELES — Checkpoint inhibitors, a novel class of agents promising in the treatment of a wide range of cancers, have been tied to serious neurologic, immune-related adverse events, new research shows.

Checkpoint inhibitors are used to treat melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, and head and neck cancers,

Monday, April 30, 2018

Having A Chronic Illness Has Taught Me About Life

At 29 years of age I thought I had life all worked out. I was a few years into the teaching career I had always envisioned for myself, I'd married my high school sweetheart and I had a wonderful group of friends and a supportive family. I often thought to myself that anything was possible, as up until that point my life had proved to me that with hard work and dedication I could achieve my desires. I was unstoppable and on my way to a life of security, success and happiness.

But I was wrong . . .

Suddenly I became ill. I constantly felt exhausted, was had double

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Study Suggests Cannabinoids May Improve Muscle Function In Myasthenia Gravis


The muscle function in a study using a mouse model of myasthenia gravis was improved after treatment with cannabinoids improved, suggesting they may have therapeutic potential for the disease, researchers say.

The study, “Cannabinoid-induced increase of quantal size and enhanced neuromuscular transmission,” was published in the journal Scientific Reports.

Saturday, March 24, 2018

Myasthenia Gravis and Other Rare Diseases Difficult To Diagnose

Stephen Hawking’s rare neurodegenerative disease defined him almost as much as his physics. He used his celebrity to put the spotlight on muscle-wasting amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, posting videos of his family taking the ice-bucket challenge on his behalf to raise funds and awareness about a disease that often draws sympathy but rarely money for drug development and research.

The definition of what constitutes a rare disease varies widely, with the US defining it as a condition that affects fewer than 1 in 200,000, and the European Union using it to describe

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Helen Taylor Tells Her Story Of Battle With Myasthenia Gravis On Rare Disease Day

Left: Helen Taylor before she fell ill. Right: During hospital treatment
A woman in Ipswich Suffolk, England had her life turned upside by a disabling and little-understood illness. She shared her story to mark Rare Disease Day.

At the end of 2016, Helen Taylor was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG), a condition that is thought to affect just 11,000 people in the UK and causes muscle weakness.

When the disease struck, Ms Taylor, now 47, was juggling an extremely

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Study Suggests That Biological Agents Could Balance Immune Response In MG Patience

Biological agents that target inflammation-generating immune cells and signaling molecules could be used to treat myasthenia gravis, French researchers report.

Biologics have helped people with other autoimmune diseases, so they might be able to restore balance to MG patients’ immune system, the team said.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Here's Looking At You Kid - Your Eyes And Your Health

The eyes may be a window to the soul, but they also offer a lot of information about your overall health. This doesn't simply mean your ability to correctly read an eye chart, either. Everything from liver health to cholesterol levels can be reflected by the eyes in some way.

The eyes also contain a wealth of insight about the rest of your body's ability to function. Read on to see what your eyes have to say.