Go to www.myasthenia.org and look under the tab at the top labeled "Living with MG" then click on Physician referral list. It is organized by state. Keep in mind that there may be docs who have a LOT of experience with MG who are not on the list. Those that are on the list, however, have met the criteria to be approved and recognized by the MG Foundation of America. You should have a high level of confidence in their competency to treat MG.

Hope this helps.

Jessica - also on the MGFA site at http://myasthenia.org/CommunitySupport/SupportGroupCalendar.aspx is a list of support groups and I see there is one in Seattle. Contact the group leader and she should be able to recommend MG knowledgeable neurologists in your area

I am a nurse and have not been able to work for the past 9 months. I was on STD and Cigna approved me for LTD, but they do periodic reviews to see if someone still qualifies. They do require you to apply for SSDI, but they provided me with a company to do the application process for me at no cost to me. I am getting better and am trying to return to work now, but I work 12 hour shifts, so I will only be able to return part time. My LTD policy provides for a return to work incentive so that they will continue to send me financial support while I am working since I am unable to work to earn my regular full time income. SSDI also has a return to work incentive for those who can work some but not full time. LTD does not start until you have been out of work for 6 months most of the time, although I believe that can vary depending on your employer's policy. Wishing you all the best with this.

Ladylife, thank you! I am going to check into that! I have a neurologist that is pretty knowledgable, but I don't think he has the most up to date information regarding treatments.

Myasthenia, thank you! I will try to contact the group leader and see. I'm too far from Seattle to go for support group meetings, but would travel for a Doctor.

Purple Ribbons, thanks for the information! Mine states that there is a 90 day waiting period, but since I'm a teacher and I had enough sick leave to be off the last few weeks, hopefully I will get pay in Sept, which would make it so I don't have to go any time without any income. I have a friend who taught in the same district as me and she said the same thing, that they hired a company to help her apply for SSDI. I'm glad to hear you say that they do an incentive to help you return to work in some capacity. This has by far ben a really difficult transition for me, as my career is my passion and I'd love to return to it in some capacity if it's possible. I'm stronger today, but it only takes me getting sick or a cold once to throw that all away. Which, working with special needs students I constantly get exposed to germs and sick. How do you deal with that as a nurse? Has that exasperated your MG? I found that I'd get well, go to work, get sick. It was a horrible vicious cycle and I was never gaining strength back because of it. Now that I'm home, I'm finally gaining strength back.

Cigna did suggest a company to assist me in getting on disability, The Advocator Group. They did very well. But it did cost me $6000, and it came out of my back pay, which started six months after the day i became unable to work. However i do not know how the system works if one does not go through a time period of not being able to work. It can get very complicated at times. And any money that insurance companies pay you for back pay from being disabled, you will have to pay a portion back to the insurance company when SS gives you any back pay. And it can be a huge portion. I am going through a review as we speak, we will see the outcome.....Best wishes to all

I had short term and long term disability at work. I received both and through long term was signed up for disability and approved for that. Medicare takes 24 months from time of approval to kick in. I was a office associate.