What is Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating muscle weakness and fatiguability. At about 14 cases per 100,000 (in the U.S.), it is one of the lesser kno...
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Myasthenia Gravis or side effects of other things?
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My father recently had some surgery and during the recovery process, developed several blood clots in his legs, so they put him on blood thinner. Prior to going on that, he was doing great. Had a lot of energy and was out walking several times a day for his recovery from surgery. About 2 weeks after going on blood thinner, he's lost all of his energy, he's lathargic (sp?), and he's start having serious problems with his speech and eating. We thought he had a stroke, but it was confirmed that he did not. Between meals, he's pretty good, but after he eats, he can't pronounce certain letter combinations together. R's seem to give me a problem and he pronounces them as if he had a lisp(sp?).
After a few minutes, it will go away. When I look at all the side effects of blood thinner, trouble swallowing and speech issues, along with lack of energy and being lathargic (sp?) seem to all be listed as side effects of blood thinner. However, his regular doctor checked him and said he's got Myasthenia Gravis. In my limited education in reading about it, it seems to be quite different than what I see in him. I'm 95% convinced he's having reactions to the blood thinner, however, he believes he has this disease. My question is whether or not this is something that pops up from nowhere, with no warning signs prior to it, or is it something that slowly gets worse, or both? I believe the fact that all of this came on directly after going on the blood thinner is a strong case for it being a side effect. I find it really difficult to think that this mysteriously popped up after going on blood thinner. I've read some of the motor skill tests used to diagnose this, and he passes all of them. He doesn't get tired, rest, and then ready to go again, he can walk or do anything he wants. Anyone got any advice on whether on not we're looking at myasthenia gravis or a possible side effect of the blood thinner? Posted on 06/28/09, 12:06 pm |
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I know that my grandfather had major issues with the blood thinner that they put him on. He kept having to go back to the hospital and spend days there until a pharmicist told my aunt that he thought the blood thinner was causing him to bleed out, back to the doc's and he was absolutely correct. Off the blood thinner and now he is fine. I don't know if that is the case for yours, but I would certainly look into it. I have no clue about the MG coming up slowly or quickly. Now that I know for sure that I have it, I can look back and see the times that I was having symptoms and brushed it off as working too hard. So for me it was a slow progression and then one day my legs and arms would not work, definately a problem and that started the road to diagnosis. I wish you all the very best and hope you get an answer very soon. 
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From what you have written, I think MG or blood thinner reaction are both still possibilities. There is a blood test for MG antibodies (and other tests if the blood test comes back negative). I would find a neurologist who has experience with MG patients to do the testing. If your father has MG, it needs to be treated. My daughter (who is now 15) had some slight arm weakness as her first symptom (during competitive volleyball practice) and, then, some slurring of speech which sounds similar to what your father is experiencing. It was at this point she was diagnosed. Then, the disease progressed rapidly. Either way, you need a positive diagnosis. Good luck. Sarah
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