Yep, stuttering on a word and trying to find a word are all present here. Thought I was going on an early Alzheimer's trip. I don't take Mestinon so it can't be that. I think it is part of the wonderful world of MG!

Oh my goodness! So word recall is also a symptom of MG. So does that mean our brain muscle is also affected? I've had that symptom for several months. I see someone I've known a long time but cannot remember their name. I've also had a fast paced speech; that sounds better than saying I'm a "fast talker" :) but so many times during the day I cannot "find" a word that I have used for years. Or, I'll be using the word processor and not be able to spell a word even though I've been excellent at spelling. So this too is a symptom of MG??

P.S. to my last reply. OR..........could this be a symptom of Hashimoto's Disease? H Disease causes fuzzy memory issues and memory loss?

No stuttering that I know, but word recall...Of course I didn't realize I was slurring either.

No stuttering here but yes to word recall and spelling. I told my neuro that these too are much better after the plasma exchanges. I'm thinking that for me, it has to be a build up of something in the brain, too.

Hi CarolinaM. Yes word recall is an issue with MG, but since hypothyroidism (whether caused by Hashimoto's or not) is an autoimmune disease that quite commonly accompanies MG it would be hard to pinpoint exactly which is causing it. And although MG does not destroy the brain "muscle" per say, it causes you to get so tired, so easily, and when in that state, it is hard to get anything out right! So, don't worry. It's not something we can "fix" so just rest easy, Girl! That's the best remedy!

Meredith

I never thought of that before but as I read the replies I have realized that I have been doing the same thing (not being able to recall a word, trying to substitute another word or mixing up names of people I work with) for some time now-just thought it was the brain on overload or that I was getting old!!! thanks for the insight.


deb

Hi and thanks for the interesting Post.

I too have a Neuro appt in June.

No stuttering here. I have never thought about the word recall until this post. I think that has been a slower rate processed for me than before. Now I have something more to learn about.

Have a great day!

TJ

Hi Everyone!
Went (crawled) to the neuro today and reported to her my results from my unofficial survey on this site. She was very surprised to hear about the prevelence of this form of stuttering in MG patients. She thoroughly believed me, though, and the lack of strength in my usual exam tests (pushing back head, arms, knees, etc) helped substantiate, I'm sure. At this point, we talked about going back of Cellcept for a longer period of time, but since I am negative on the antibodies test, and there is a small risk of caners, she wants me to see her mentor first, at UTMB in Galveston. I am so blessed to have two major medical centers in my proximity (the collection of hospitals associated with UTMB in Galveston and, of course, the renowned Medical Center of Houston). I have already said my prayers to God, thanking him. Meanwhile, we will try IVIG again. I only did this once before. It did not make me any stronger but gave me a migraine for 8 days! Feeling bad enough to take the risk, though. I told the girls at the doc's office that I don't know if my Medicare Advantage HMO will pay for it (I am only 55 and on disability and cannot get regular Medicare with Medigap until I am 65. No insurance co will cover you until then). I make this statement after reading the post from earlier today about the man having trouble getting medical help. Anyway, the girls told me that if the company appointed to give you your IVIG says your policy won't pay for it, the trick is to ask if there is any financial assistance available. Apparently, there is some, but the co-ordinators are trained NOT to offer it, but to wait until you ask.

Thanks everyone for participating in my "survey" and I'm sorry for this lengthy post. Man am I worn out!

Breath easy,
Meredith

Thank you, Meredith!
Educating our Neuros - it's part of our job, I guess!

My friend who gets IVIG, paid by Medicare?
Even though? Medicare does not approve IVIG - for MG.
(And now - why is that!!)

My friend's Neuro - has to be very careful.
There has to be a coexisting & diagnosed condition.
For which Medicare - will pay - for IVIG.

(Lord knows what my friend has, that does qualify.
(Everything, it seems.)
- Ross

Thank you for the input Ross. I saw where you told our new member about your friend. I did not see this posting though until after I had left the doctors office. I will be calling the front office girls on the morning and ask the doctor to co-operate. I have learned so much pm this sight in just one short week!

Just a side on what IVIG is prescribed for. I did an informal survey of my nurses when I was getting IVIG at the infusion center and the majority of their IVIG patients were for peripheral neuropathies (common in diabetics.)

This sparked my interest so I did a search on IVIG treatment to see what types of peripheral neuropathy are treated with IVIG. Peripheral neuropathies have many causes including diabetes. The article I read said 50% of diabetics develop PN. There are also autoimmune disorders that cause peripheral neuropathy. CIDP (chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy) is one of those. Guillain-Barre can cause PN as well.

About the time I was diagnosed with MG, I had a patient at work with CIDP. This patient was receiving IVIG treatments and that was my first introduction. I did some research at that time and realized it was also a treatment for MG.

I just found an article on the IG Living blog that is very interesting. I will post the link here but will also start a new discussion with it so we aren't hijacking the stuttering topic.

http://www.igliving.com/BlogEngine/post/Can-a-History-Lesson-Foretell-IGs-Future.aspx

I was dx with mg 18 mos ago. i developed a mad stutter in June. I spent several days in the hospital while they ruled out a bunch of nasty things that could have caused it, and they came up with nothing. I hate it when they can't point to something definitive, but no news is good news sometimes..

It has gotten better in that now it only happens if I try to talk while moving around and when I am tired, but it doesn't seem to be going away. It cracks me up sometimes because I will be sitting around speaking normally for a while and then I will shake my head too hard or stand up and suddenly I am Porky Pig! It is really kind of comical as long as I am not thinking of what could be going on in my brain to cause it.