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...

1,709 Members
7,414 Posts
0 Online
Muscles & Bones
/ Myasthenia Gravis Support Group

Lambert-Eaton variation of MG

LastBestChapter
LastBestChapter
When I was in the hospital for leg weakness (left leg had no strength to get me up stairs) and I could not get out of a chair or off the floor. Yet all the neurologists said that even though I had double vision too, I did not have generalized MG. Optomologist said I had Ocular MG.

When I did more research I seem to fit the Lambert-Eaton syndrome. where activity does not make you weaker as in MG, and it is 95% more focused on your legs.

Does anyone out there have this diagnosis that can be mistake for MG?
deleted_user
deleted_user
the lambert eaton syndrom usually diagnosed with cancer. Have you een evaluated for that? Did the neuro suggest you had lamert eaton instead of MG?
deleted_user
deleted_user
oups sorry for my typo mistakes...
catnap2
catnap2
There is bloodwork that is done for Lambert-Eaton. Was it mentioned to you? My neuro did the bloodwork at our first meeting along with a host of other blood tests. It is associated with a type of lung cancer and should definitely be ruled out. It's hard to understand why they insist you have ocular mg when your symptoms are generalized.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Oh, and do you mean you have no weakness in your arms at all? only your legs are affected?
deleted_user
deleted_user
I don't have a diagnosis yet, but have wondered about lambert eaton, especially after this doc at mayo told me to walk every day. I noticed that half way through my walk I would start walking normal, then would be back to my usual gimpy self before getting home. Also i have suspected it since my legs are the weakest part of my body. From what I have read with lambert eaton exercise temporarily improves symptoms. I was tested for it, and of course it came back negative like every other test.

In a few weeks I will be going to see an MG specialist and I intend to ask her how they differentiate between the two without positive bloodwork.
Good luck. Hope you get answers soon.
LastBestChapter
LastBestChapter
Thanks for all your responses. I saw than Lambert Eaton can be assoicated with cancer which I have never had...but there is a % with no cancer association. I will be asking for a test when I see my neurologist in January. I tried going off mestinon as my neuro optomologist suggested but I felt weaker so I went back on.
angepugin
angepugin
Hi. Like some of the others, even though my disease was very generalised with a strong respiratory muscle component, I was also originally tested for Lambert-Eatons. As far as I remember the EMG's are incremental ie the response gets stronger and stronger as the nerve is stimulated. That is the opposite to what happens in MG. Have you ever had EMG's done? Also ELS is characterised by autonomic symptoms such as changes in BP and heart rate. Have you ever had any of these? There is also the blood test as the others have mentioned. Like Cathi says though it's strange they insist you only have ocular disease. I really hope you get an answer soon!!
Ange