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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Muscles & Bones
/ Myasthenia Gravis Support Group

I need your wisdom & experience

mw40love
mw40love
I am not yet diagnosed. Put On 40 prednisone for asthma and suddenly it cured a lot of other things like swallowing, speech, breathing strength. I am still very weak, but the prednisone benefit is huge. Doctors think I just have anxiety. On a recent flight at 8000 ft cabin pressure could not swallow, cough, speak, or clear my throat, started choking on my own drool. I am in Kaiser hmo. I cannot force my face into a smile. Chief neurologist did one five sequence nerve buzz in my forearm and determined it doesn't look like MG. no neck or face test. No single fiber. Both of the blood tests came back neg, but that could be the pred?

Here is the dilemma. I have breast cancer which has spread to my lymph nodes. It is only stage 2. I have been diagnosed for two months but have been waiting for MG diagnosis. They tell me I should just have the surgery and worry about the MG later. Are they trying to kill me or are they unaware of the anesthesia problems with MG? They are really insisting I have the surgery now, but tell me it will be outpatient surgery and I will be sent home by mid day. The neuro insists my lungs are strong enough but he never got even close to them or tested them.
Argh!
Help!
cgreens
cgreens
Have them give you mestinon and see how it goes. They may have it in a drip and could give it to you that way if it works for instant response. It comes.in liquid form, so...Try the pills first and see if your doctor agrees with that. It would also bring about a Dx of MG if you respond to mestinon and hopefully proceed with your surgery.
limpnoodle
limpnoodle
In light of your cancer, have they checked you for LEMS ? The symptoms are nearly identical to MG. Most people I know who have it, including myself, were previously thought to have MG.

Most of the literature associates LEMS with lung cancer, but any type cancer can trigger it.

They should definitely consider your Myasthenic symptoms when planning anesthesia. I would err on the side of caution. All of my testing at the beginning of my journey were negative, but the first time I had any anesthesia, it was not pretty. Definitely bring up your concerns with the anestjhesiologist.