Interesting post Tim! I have no answers as I don't remember being tested for anything out of the "normal" range of tests (which feel like many)!

I look forward to reading our other members answers!! Who knows between us we might come up with an answer!

Gez

Many autoimmune diseases are still a mystery but there are theories about how they manifest in an otherwise "normal" person.

One theory is that things like diabetes, thyroid diseases, lupus, etc come about from frequent emotional or physical stress. For instance, many elderly people are diagnosed with diabetes after the death of a loved one. That's not to say that they were not predisposed to the disease. The theory is that the emotional stress of these events changes our hormone output. The brain is a powerful organ and is constantly being signaled and sending out signals to maintain homeostasis (metabolic equilibrium). The more trauma or physical/emotional stress you are exposed to, the greater the chances that you will develop an autoimmune disease.

Having said that, I don't know if I believe that entirely. It doesn't explain teenagers that grew up happy/healthy and develop such diseases. Then there are the individuals that don't take care of themselves, eat poorly, smoke, etc and never develop them (even with a strong family history). That's why these autoimmune diseases are still such a mystery and many autoimmune diseases have strains that still haven't been identified. It's all such a mystery and I hope that I'm alive to see those discoveries, better treatments and more importantly, cures.

I can't wait to hear what everyone else has to say on this topic. Wishing everyone a nice weekend and a good week ahead.
Aloha,
Angie

I have no answers butAngie's comments about elderly people and diabetes hit home. While I do not consider myself elderly (I'm only 67!), the last couple of years have been traumatic. My husband died in the summer of 2011, and in the spring of 2012, I had back surgery (a discectomy). Fatigue, swallow problems, and weakened arm/leg/eye muscles began sometime in 2011-2012 and I was diagnosed with MG in the spring of 2013. I've wondered if my traumatic experiences in 2011-12 have a connection to my MG.

That said, I had asthma as a child and have suffered with fatigue most of my adult life. Also, I had swallowing difficulty before 2011. So maybe the MG has been present for a while??

May this week be kind to us all!
Barbara

Tim,

My first meeting with my neurologist was not for MG specifically as I came to him with a wide variety of symptoms.The first thing my neurologist did was do a general testing for heavy metals, ciiiac disease, and tests for a wide variety of things including different globulins and electrophoresis. He also did overnight oximetry which showed a severe apnea and ordered autonomic function studies which were positive. I also had a biopsy for small fiber neuropathy which was positive. My heavy metals testing was negative. Also cilicac was negative. Marie

I had a FULL work up with a rheumatologist before they checked me for MG. (twice!) My neuro found B12 and vitamin D3 deficiency as well as PTCH (parathyroid hormone) being elevated. After correcting these things, my symptoms continued and worsened. I also finally got to a pulmonologist who told me I had asthma and weakened breathing muscles(from MG).

I know for a fact that stress makes MG much worse. Rest and enough sleep also make a difference.

I hope you find what works for you!

Hugs,
Carly

Just tossing this out there, probably not worth its own thread.

But was anyone else on PPI's long term before MG? I'm relatively young. The only medicine I have ever taken, was I was on prilosec for a couple of years a few years ago because I couldn't keep GERD under control without it.

Just noticing I'm getting some GERD symptoms back now on prilosec.