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...
Sorry to hear you are having so many problems and for so long.
There is one at-home test you can try that may help you figure out if you have MG. When you have droopy eyelids, put an ice pack on them for a few minutes and see if that makes the droop go away for a while. Although that is not a sure test, it can help you.
Another type of test is to ask for a trial of a pill called pyridostigmine (brand name Mestinon). If you take a pill, it makes most folks with MG feel stronger in about 30 minutes and lasts for about 3-4 hours and then wears off. You might ask to try just one pill. It won't hurt you if you don't have MG, but if you do, it may make you feel much better for a short time. It has some digestive side effects so take it with a little food. I am not sure how you go about getting a single pill to try unless you can find someone with MG and get one,
The general first test that is done is the ACHR blood test. Maybe 70-80% of folks with MG have that positive.
Most of us who get MG at older ages notice that although we have normal muscle strength, we tire very quickly. However, if you have had MG for a long time, the symptoms are more chronic weakness and problems rather than just tiring rapidly. So it is hard to tell just from symptoms.
Although many of your symptoms are like MG, there are many illnesses that have similar symptoms. Most of us who do have MG don't get an early diagnosis.
Good Luck
Russ