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...

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/ Myasthenia Gravis Support Group

Soreness and tiredness with chewing

ericavt
ericavt
My myasthenia Affects mostly my eyes with double vision and Eye-crossing but sometimes Overall decreased strength Throughout my body. Right before my first IVIG treatment I had a lot of slurred speech. I have noticed this afternoon that my jaw is getting tired While chewing. Just now I ate a serving of almonds and some dried cherries and my jaw is extremely sore and I couldn't eat anymore because of fatigue Brought on by chewing. This is new for me. I have a neurology appointment on Monday afternoon. Do you think this sounds ominous or is a possibility that it's nothing Of great concern? Thanks in advance for any advice.
lindsayamaral
lindsayamaral
Just a few days ago I was on the go and overdid it. When I realized I hadn't eaten all day I grabbed McDonalds French fries while walking past. My jaw got so tired chewing I had to throw them away.
SeattleWriter
SeattleWriter
Issues with eating (chewing, but more often swallowing) and breathing were among the first symptoms I had with MG. (I'm only now getting the ocular symptoms after several years!) I've learned that, when the chewing and swallowing gets difficult, it's best to go for a liquid-based meal, because there's no reason to push it. A nutritional drink called Vega-1 is my current go-to when things are bad on the eating front.

I agree with the others here who suggest that when the chewing/swallowing gets tough, the breathing gets tough, too. That's certainly been true for my experience. I find it better to just give that whole centralized area a break when things are bad.