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...
Today I spoke with the neurologist who initially suggested a diagnosis of MG several months ago and I'll be getting the blood panel this week. I wasn't a huge fan of this physician because he wasn't very familiar with the diagnosis of the cystic brain tumor I had and brushed it off. Now that I have had surgery to have that removed and treated by a specialist neurosurgeon...I have decided to go through with the tests and go through this neurologist.
When I saw him, he pointed out that my eyes seemed droopy to him (I thought my eyes were just "tired") and he believed that was causing my double vision and those issues...not the brain mass. Since surgery, my vision has not improved and has at times seemed to get worse. The double vision comes and goes but I usually have it at some point during the day, usually at night, and when my eyes get tired.
I'm not sure what to think about the possibility of MG or if I may have it. I'm 24 year old female and he said this is a very prime onset time especially with my "droopy eyes", double vision when tired, and fatigue.
He has also warned that very frequently the blood panel can give you a false negative and I may need more testing after. How many of you guys got a negative on the blood panel yet do have MG or Ocular MG?
Thanks!
When I saw him, he pointed out that my eyes seemed droopy to him (I thought my eyes were just "tired") and he believed that was causing my double vision and those issues...not the brain mass. Since surgery, my vision has not improved and has at times seemed to get worse. The double vision comes and goes but I usually have it at some point during the day, usually at night, and when my eyes get tired.
I'm not sure what to think about the possibility of MG or if I may have it. I'm 24 year old female and he said this is a very prime onset time especially with my "droopy eyes", double vision when tired, and fatigue.
He has also warned that very frequently the blood panel can give you a false negative and I may need more testing after. How many of you guys got a negative on the blood panel yet do have MG or Ocular MG?
Thanks!
MG is sometimes difficult to diagnose as there appear to be several variations including two that are found by blood tests.
The first blood test will be AChR-Ab looking for the most common antibodies indicating MG. If that is negative, a second test may be performed, MuSK-Ab looking for a different set of antibodies.
However, if the first test is negative, you may have a test to determine muscle fatigue next.
You can read about various tests at http://www.myasthenia.org/WhatisMG/TestDiagnosticmethods.aspx
and all about MG at the same site -- www.myasthenia.org
Good Luck