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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Dose any one know if all facial M.G. leads genral

chuckie1
chuckie1
I would like to know where to find in writting that all facial M.G. if treated or not treated will lead to general?
If any one knows where I can find out this information I would be very thankfull!!
Chuckie1
CarlyMichelle
CarlyMichelle
Do you mean that your MG mainly affects your face?
bweeds
bweeds
Chuckie,
There is ample evidence that ocular myasthenia In more than half the cases progresses to generalized myasthenia. There is the suggestion in studies that do not meet strict statistical requirements that the use of prednisone or immunosuppressants early in the course may make a difference in whether there is progression. Some neuromuscular specialists do use steroids, some use them as last resort because of their side effects. It seemed like the patients who did best used the higher doses.

I searched for "ocular myasthenia progression." There were some early papers around 2004 until 2010 and Dr. Kaminsky's comments in a recent book--here is that link :

http://books.google.com/books?id=DampyXkudq8C&pg=PA100&lpg=PA100&dq=ocular+myasthenia+progression&source=bl&ots=ED6WTvLHpk&sig=qXisKH0EFTTQl2ol_9OxKJtcytw&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Cv0CUuvlLcPk4AP6lIAI&ved=0CDQQ6AEwBDgU#v=onepage&q=ocular%20myasthenia%20progression&f=false

I hope that answers your question. Unfortunately, I do not think the evidence is in as to whether it helps or is worth the risk for strictly ocular symptoms. Since almost all the progression takes place in the first three years and it seemed from the abstracts that the people who did best were treated early, if you have had ocular myasthenia for some time without progression, it may not be worth the risk to use the steroids. Something for serious consideration. b.