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...
Hello all. My question concerns organ donor. Having been recently diagnosed and not on a defined treatment medication yet, I was wondering if a person with MG can be a donor.. I am not sure what affect this all has on the quality of the organ itself.
Diagnosed in Oct 15. have been in hospital 3 times for IVIG and scheduled for more. On Mestinon 60 daily, Prednisone 40 daily and soon to start Imuran 50 daily. Have had no real luck so far, but still hopeful.
My biggest problem is the eyes. They really get messed up. My breathing is also a problem and the cramps in my arms and legs.
Any help or advice in this matter is appreciated. Thanks
Diagnosed in Oct 15. have been in hospital 3 times for IVIG and scheduled for more. On Mestinon 60 daily, Prednisone 40 daily and soon to start Imuran 50 daily. Have had no real luck so far, but still hopeful.
My biggest problem is the eyes. They really get messed up. My breathing is also a problem and the cramps in my arms and legs.
Any help or advice in this matter is appreciated. Thanks
says, if I interpret it right, that it may not be a good idea. The jargon and abbreviations are in the original article. The one part "autoimmune effector cells and, therefore, autoimmune diseases can be transferred from the donor to a recipient through allogeneic HSCT. Diseases range from a transfer of atopy29 to myasthenia gravis,"
"Transmission of autoimmunity
Autoimmunity results from a dysregulation of a complex network of cells and molecules occurring on a particular immunogenetic background. Reports of 'transfer' of autoimmunity occurring after allogeneic HSCT should be interpreted with caution, since similar new autoimmunity has also been seen with profound immunosuppression, for example, CAMPATH 1H,50 and autologous HSCT.51 These events probably reflect a loss of suppression through T regulator cells (CD4+CD25+), are almost always organ or epitope specific, for example, platelet antigens and mostly resolve with time. In addition, it may be difficult to distinguish new autoimmunity from the altered immune phenomena, both clinical and serological, occurring during GVHD.52
Autoimmune diseases may undergo long-term remission following autologous and allogeneic HSCT.53 However, autoimmune effector cells and, therefore, autoimmune diseases can be transferred from the donor to a recipient through allogeneic HSCT. Diseases range from a transfer of atopy29 to myasthenia gravis,28 thyrotoxicosis of autoimmune type31, 32, 33 and diabetes mellitus type I.34 Furthermore, sarcoidosis,35 celiac disease36 and autoimmune thrombocytopenia37 were acquired from allografts. The role of the host in disease expression should also not be forgotten. One case of transfer of SLE antibodies (but not clinical disease)30 and another of relapse of RA, in which all lymphocytes were of healthy sibling donor origin,54 emphasize the complexity of immune regulation. The use of an HLA-matched sibling donor who has autoimmunity remains a clinical risk/benefit decision and is the subject of ongoing study.