Erica my MG is very similar. The main issues have been changing vision, swallowing and generalized weakness, since June I have had 4 or 5 instances of my jaw just running out of strength while chewing. I have had about 3 instances of slurred speech.

From the sounds of it your MG is just 'moving around' a bit....it seems to like to do that. I find mine does that, the focus areas that are affected change every so often. I would certainly mention it to your neuro.

I did notice that when I had the infection from the diverticulitis (white count at 18k) that all mt symptoms got much worse, I guess that makes sense, an infection would rev up the immune system.

Take care

Joe

I too experience tiredness and soreness in the jaw (usually while chewing almonds, also :). When my symptoms were less controlled, this would happen to me a lot and I wasn't getting enough to eat because I couldn't chew. Lately when this happens it's pretty slight and I recover by taking a break from chewing. (Mine symptoms move around too, as Joe mentions, sometimes I have weakness in my lips for a couple of days, then later in the week that will go away but my jaw will be tired.) Definitely mention it to your neuro, as they should know of any new symptoms, especially in case it gets worse and leads into more difficulty swallowing. If you need to, make smoothies or eat softer foods when you can to give yourself a rest.
Best,
Genevieve

I just told my co-worker a minutes ago, after laughing in the break room, that my cheeks were tired and sore from smiling. And, yes, chewing makes the jaws very tired. At least I can't become overweight while taking steroids, unless I switch to ice cream as a food source, but I think dairy might be contraindicated. Good times. ;-) Sigh.

One of the first things I noticed when all this started was that my jaw hurt and became weak when chewing. I agree with Joe in that MG does seem to move around. I haven't been able to put a pattern with it, it just moves and my Sjogren's (lightening bolt) pain moves around as well.
Elinora, If I could get by with it I would eat ice cream for every meal. It's my biggest weakness.

Jerry, you should go put your Sjogren's on the thread about other autoimmunity. I like ice cream, too!

Hi Erica!
re: tired jaw muscles, from chewing.

It's not exactly ominous.
Kind of a ''garden variety'' bulbar symptom, often observed with MG.
I've had this for years & years, along with many others, here on DS.

But it definitely serves notice, to be on the look-out for other bulbar symptoms, as time goes on.
- Ross

What Ross says is true. I usually have chew problems on a daily basis, but I have a saying about the more dangerous swallowing problems: where swallow goes, breathing follows. Sounds kind of catchy, but it is true.

Thank you all! I ate scrambled eggs and toast for dinner and I was fine. I'll wait on the almonds until tomorrow. I feel much better knowing that this new symptom onset isn't necessarily a warning sign of danger ahead! I am still getting to know my MG. this was weird, right when I started to think I had if figured out.

Ominous.

You find out exactly which muscles are used for what when you start having problems with them dont you?!!!

The fresh cherries were the worst for me. I had such a weak tongue and separating the cherry stones from the fruit in my mouth were a gruesome workout! The effort for 2 cherries felt like I had eaten six bags!

Whilst I did not have bulbar symptoms, I tried to outsmart the massetter muscles by trying to eat really fast at the beginning of the meal so I should only have a little bit left when those muscles quit working just a few minutes later! Of course it didnt work! And yes steak was the absolute worst. Your jaws may as well have been doing press ups.

Reading a short story to my son would start out normally and then slur more and more towards the end of the story.

Bulbar and respiratory symptoms did actually follow on afterwards but luckily those changes for me were very slow moving and with non dramatic presentation. Even so, if it comes back to the same extent as I had it I would insist on it being a priority discussion with a neuro.

(mine actually came after a very long period with generalized myasthenia)

Good Luck on Monday!

Hope to hear what your neuro has to say :)


Calmday

Yea it is a bummer.
My family always knows when I need to rest because my speech slurs.
More when I have been talking a lot or in the heat.

When my chewing issue returned my neuro decided that I needed ivig everyv2 weeks vs monthly. Sometimes now my jaw feels a bit off after eating a lot, something I like to do :), and after about a half hour, it settles back. Please monitor your symptoms,
Be well,

Lilly when you say IVIG every 2 weeks, is that the 5 day treatment? Do you know the dosage ?

Maybe it's in the almonds because I experience the same thing with them. Not just almonds but those a big one for me. I also have an issue with the occasional jaw shift even when I'm not eating. It is like my lower jaw just goes slack and then jerks to one side or the other. That's been going on for several years and sometimes I end up biting my tongue or cheek because of it. Salads really wear out my jaw and so does most protein products. I can't chew gum anymore either. It's just a waste of money. It's in my mouth for 2-3 minutes and that's all I can handle.

I'm sorry to hear that you have these new symptoms but I don't think that they are as bad as you might think. As with anything MG related though, you should certainly update your neuro and by all means keep a close eye on your symptoms. If they begin to worsen rapidly call your doctor right away.

I hope everyone here has a good week.
Angie

Erica I have the same problems with chewing. My jaw gets tired and I give up eating. I try to take my Mestinon before I eat. Like Joe said, let your doctor be aware of your findings. I also found out that the more I talk my speech gets very slurred. God bless you. Cabbage 7