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...
I went for my annual physical today only with a new doctor. I just couldn't trust my doctor any more, he missed to many things that could have helped me. I prayed a lot about what doctor to choose and asked everybody I know who they would recommend and why. Everybody had a favorite but usually because they are a great person not because of how good of a doctor they are. I finally decided on a female doctor in a local family practice group.(never had a female doctor before.) I was VERY impressed!!!! She took the time to talk to me and listen to me as well as to develop a plan to take care of all my concerns. The best part is that she knows a lot about MG. I couldn't believe it. Her husband is an anesthesiologist and she told me about how he always tells her when he has a MG patient and how he has to do things differently. She said she couldn't wait to get home to tell him that she had a MG patient today. I asked her for a flu shot and she recommended I did not take it with MG, something my old doc never mentioned. She said it would boost the immune system too much and just not worth the risk. I came away with hope for the first time in a long while.
So glad to hear about non-MG Specialists - familiar with MG.
Good move!
- Ross
PS: For many of us? A ''dead-virus'' flu shot is okay.
The ''live-virus'' flu shot - is a no-no. (... run it all by your Neuro ...)
I have refused flu shots in the past. But receive them yearly now, with the express approval of my MG Neurologist.
Jerry i'm glad you found someone to listen to you. I see a female PA and she is amazing. She even called me to come see her when she found out I was in the hospital. Nothing beats a great doctor who really listens.
I got my flu shot (Inactive virus) about a month ago and I've had no problems with it and I've gotten one every year for the last 15 years. The worst reaction I've gotten from it is the tenderness at the site. I'm glad that your doctor gave you the answer that is right for you though. Congrats!!
Angie
Getting the right primary doctor is so crucial and yet one of the hardest things to accomplish. You did your research and it sounds like you have a good fit and a good foundation for collaboration on your health. It is wonderful she has such awareness of the problems that come with myasthenia and it sounds like her husband does too. That is golden!
I recently had a surgery where I got a new anesthesiologist who was so reassuring and made my time there work better for me. I had to be awake during this surgery to give the surgeon feedback.
I had experienced a time when I did not get enough pyridostigmine immediately after surgery so had gotten permission from the surgeon and the pharmacy to have my own bottle of pyridostigmine in the surgery suite. This anesthesiologist noted I was clutching that bottle and did not want to hand it to her to put it in the chart. She told me then she had neostigmine available and would give it to me the instant I needed it. I felt I could relax then and from then on we were a team. The attitude and awareness of a physician can make such a difference in our lives and our care.
Great on getting such a responsive primary and I wish you well in your collaboration in the future for better health! Marie
I asked all my doctors about the flu shot. They all agreed I should have it. No problem with it!
You have had plenty of immune boost lately with your sickness and it will give you a some protection in general, although not specifically for flu. I did have 24 hours of exacerbation after my flu shot, eyes, swallowing, feet dragging, but all mild and all worth going through if it helps me avoid the flu.
As our situations change, the answer as to whether to get the shot may as well. Be sure and use all the other methods to avoid getting ill, especially washing hands and keeping things like fingers and other people's "cough drops" out of your eyes. When practicing peds, I wore glasses without correction. Congrats on your "find." b.
I will see my Neuro on Dec. 4th so I'll check with him then on the flu shot. Maybe she is just trying to be over protective.
I am really beginning to wish that shaking hands was such a thing in our country. Since mG I like to keep my hands to myself but so often I don't.
My husband got his shot and I hope with so many others getting their shot I will be ok.