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...
Hi everyone,
Thank you to this group as I have spent the last few days reading various posts and comments. It has been very helpful but I wanted to ask your help with regards my 78 year old dad (who is not too good using such groups as this online) who was diagnosed with MG a few months ago.
He has a thymoma and they want to do a Thymectomy and also start IVIG treatment. However, reading several of the posts on these topics some have mentioned 40 years old being too old. So of course doing such a surgery on a 78 year old rings warning bells to me.
My dad is pretty strong and has been very blessed with good health all his life. I know doing a Thymectomy does not always fix the issue and can take years before any improvements show, if any at all. How does one way up this option, for someone younger I would say it is worth trying. But at 78 years old when I have read about the procedure and recovery I think surgery alone will be hard enough, let alone the recovery period.
I also have some reservations about starting IVIG, as some people have posted they have gotten worse and not always better, and then treatment has to be quite frequently and this is an expensive treatment.
Sorry I am trying to weigh up the options for my dad, as my gut is telling me that he can manage on Mestinon for the time being.
I would love to hear any input people have if any with regards an older patient with MG.
All the best. Nem 123
It has been well over a year since I last posted, I hope everyone is well.
I wanted to update everyone on this forum as my dad is doing really well on taking Mestinon 3 times per day and supplementing with a lot of natural stuff.
His specialist calls it a miracle how well dad is and how strong and whatever he is doing is keeping him strong (Long may it last).
Of course doctors dont like to say it could be the herbal route as they only really believe in the medical one.
He has had a recent blood test, so waiting to see what that says.
No issue so far with his thymoma which he decided to not touch.
My dad looks like his normal self pre diagnosis and is so taken with this Malay (in Singapore) herbalist that he is now trying to help him market his natural products.
Just wanted to update everyone to give people hope, as dad has just turned 80 and is doing really well all things considered.
All the best, Nem 123
How nice of you to give us an update! I am glad to hear that your father is doing well. - Nan