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

In Limbo

madoak
madoak

Just been told that my foot operation designated for next Tuesday has been cancelled until I have a definite yes or no to Myasthenia.  Frustrating really as I had the blood tests done three weeks ago and still nothing at all back and they couldn't find anything on the hospital database.  EMG studies are scheduled for the 9th of December in London. What differences would there be to a general anasthetic if I test positive? My foot is a pain and needs to be repaired.

wbdolphin
wbdolphin
It would make a possibly life threatening difference. Some of the anesthetics used during surgery paralyze/weaken breathing muscles for a length of time. MGers' respiratory systems often can not recuperate fast enough, causing dangerous respiratory problems, sometimes needing to be incubated. Until you are diagnosed, it's a good idea to not have any voluntary surgeries. And if you are diagnosed, always tell any medical staff that you have MG before any procedure or surgery.
madoak
madoak
Actually feel very ill
Tonight after the activity of today and actually feel glad I'm not having surgery next Tuesday. Can hardly hold my head up.
wbdolphin
wbdolphin
Oops, Intubated, not incubated.
Steve0716
Steve0716
Better safe than sorry. The doctors are correct in wanting to know your MG status before surgery. I have had a couple of surgeries with my MG and during the last one, my breathing became very shallow, my blood pressure dropped and I actually had heart failure because of my MG causing such body weakness. After every episode of anesthesia I have had a MG exacerbation which kept me in the hospital for several days after the normal surgery recovery. If the doctors know before hand they can be watchful and may be able to prevent some problems. Hope you do well.
madoak
madoak
Thank you so much. I had two surgeries where I woke up with laboured breathing and blood pressure bottomed out. No-one including me had any idea what was wrong. Nursing staff just put me on a drip and let me struggle on until things thankfully resolved. However, saying that, I am more poorly these days , so yes, I think avoiding surgery is a definite.