Myasthenia Gravis Support Group

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating muscle weakness and fatiguability. The hallmark of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that increases during periods of activity and improves after periods of rest. Although myasthenia gravis may affect any voluntary muscle, muscles that control eye and eyelid movement, facial expression, and...

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agent orange

alfredsr2
alfredsr2

Hello.  I was wondering if anyone knows of any connection between agent orange and myasthenia gravis, lupus, or md?  Thanks, Al

PeterL
PeterL
I remember reading about Agent Orange some years ago now and I think it fair to say that MG is not an acquired disease, that said no one seems able to say definitively why those with it have it so perhaps the jury is out on that one, for now at least. This is a quick reference:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/agent-orange

Apart from that why do you ask? Perhaps one could add that as far as I know Vietnam doesn't seem to have a higher incidence of MG than any other country.
Kennneth
Kennneth
Hi all heynow i handled agent orange when I was in the army back in 70s I never gave that any thought. Will have to look in to that
Michie
Michie
The husband of my best childhood friend handled Agent Orange in Nam. He has been active in keeping up with problems associated with it since then due to effects it had on him. When I told her I had been diagnosed with MG, she immediately said that she knew all about it due to the large number of Viet Nam vets who were diagnosed with it subsequent to their handling of Agent Orange.
sseibert3
sseibert3
I was recently diagnosed, July 2019, with Generalized MG and spent some time in Vietnam in 1970/71. The VA has a Presumptive list of diseases/disorders that are linked to Agent Orange and MG is listed under Neuro-muscular disorders.

http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/centralnervoussystem.html#i

Code: 8025.

There seems to be a lot is discussion about whether MG is linked to Agent Orange or not but find it interesting that it is on the Presumptive list.

"What is “Presumptive” Service Connection? VA presumes that certain disabilities were caused by military service. This is because of the unique circumstances of a specific Veteran's military service. If a presumed condition is diagnosed in a Veteran in a certain group, they can be awarded disability compensation."

We will be filing for VA Disability Benefits next week in an attempt to link this disease with my service there.
PeterL
PeterL
I wish you all success with the claim, as far as I'm aware I never came in contact with Agent Orange although I did spend over 20 years in the Military and now have MG!

Peter