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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Enlarged Thymus

Kimber71
Kimber71
I had my CT last week and this week I was told that I have an enlarged thymus and may need surgery to remove it. My doc wants to work on balancing my meds first. That makes complete sense to me. I am at 30mg Mestinon 3 times a day. I am already feeling much better. The overall feeling of extreme exhaustion is now tolerable. However moderate activity still leaves me weak and shaky. I'm guessing that I'll end up increasing the dosage to help with the weakness and shakes? My question is have any of you or someone you know had a thymectomy for an enlarged thymus vice a thymoma? And would/did any of you have a thymectomy without an actual thymoma?

Kimber
becwithkids
becwithkids
My CT results showed an enlarged thymus with no thymoma too. I have chosen to get a thymectomy because I am 39 and I am early in the course of MG. I believe the odds of me getting some relief of symptoms, less need for medication and even possible remission are high enough to get this surgery.
I am working to get mine done in Houston, Texas because they are doing this procedure in a far less invasive way by using a robot to remove the thymus through a couple of small incisions between the ribs. I got this surgery option information from another member here and listened to the therapy option audio from the MGFA 2010 conference for the statistics before making this choice.
Love, Becca
Ceegee22
Ceegee22
Of what I have read, it is best to have even an enlarged thymus removed even though there is no thymoma. Mine was not enlarged nor did I have a thymoma. Not that I want surgery, but almost wished I did, because I agree with becwithkids that you have a better chance of remission having the surgery. Good luck in making your decision.
Cathy