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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Medical Marijuana

grecogirl
grecogirl
I live in the state of Colorado where marijuana is legal (to a point). I am wondering if anyone has tried this as an alternative treatment. I found an article on line that seemed to promote its efficacy in treating MG.
jessicadrummond
jessicadrummond
I've heard that it relaxes your body, so not a good idea. I can't drink alcohol as it interacts with my meds and I end up weaker. I guess all you can do is try a small amount and see.
nnyguy1960
nnyguy1960
I believe pot is specifically allowed for MG in Illinois, and maybe other states. I think it is more to relieve nausea symptoms that are a side effect of some MG medicines.
grecogirl
grecogirl
This is what I found on line about it. Yes it is legal in Illinois for the tx of MG. I am going to make a copy of this article and take it to my neuro next time I go.

Research suggests that cannabis, like anticholinesterase agents, has the capability of inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme responsible for the degradation of acetylcholine. By inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, acetylcholine has more time to interact with its receptor before its breakdown, or turnover, and can therefore overcome the blocked receptor and cause muscle contractions. Multiple cannabinoids have demonstrated effective at increasing acetylcholine levels and slowing acetylcholine turnover. One study found that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a major cannabinoid found in cannabis, completely inhibited acetylcholinesterase, thereby raising the levels of the neurotransmitter (Eubanks, et al., 2006). Another study showed that three cannabinoids, including THC, cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN), each caused a significant elevation of acetylcholine in the brain and THC and CBN caused a decrease in acetylcholine turnover (Tripathi, Vocci, Brase & Dewey, 1987). Additional studies have demonstrated THC and CBDs effectiveness at decreasing acetylcholine turnover rate (Revuelta, Moroni, Cheney & Costa, 1978) (Revuelta, et al., 1980). - See more at: http://medicalmarijuanainc.com/myasthenia-gravis-medical-marijuana-research/#sthash.j3OQOV7j.dpuf
cgreens
cgreens
THC is good for MG. The smoke is not. If we could take THC directly, we might have something. It is my experienced opinion that marijuana neither helps nor hurts our MG. It can hurt health in terms of smoke inhalation and potentially cause long term psychosomatic effects. There are anti-carcinogenic benefits as well. Pros versus cons up to individual.

Not an alternative treatment except for mental relaxation.
grecogirl
grecogirl
I would not smoke it, but there are patches available and edibles. I would like to try the patch. I am going to take that article and it will be interesting to see what the neuro says.