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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When Does MG Peak?

strizzlow20
strizzlow20
I've seen on some websites and literature that MG typically peaks in 3-5 years. Is this accuarate? I'm assuming that there are atypical cases. I've had symptoms since 2008 but wasn't diagnosed until early 2009. I seriously think I am getting weaker by the day. My symptoms of fatigue fluctuate, but they are really bad right now and pretty consistent that past couple of weeks. I can't deal with the Florida heat, plus my AC is out right now in the car. I feel weakness really bad in my hands, forearms, neck, and legs/feet. Typing and writing is becoming difficult too. I don't think I'm a typical case because of my mild symptoms for years, but something has apparently changed.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I would completely agree with what you wrote at the bottom of this message, Ross....
Without any doubt I reached that peak, slowly creeping, increment by increment with symptom severity (like you describe) after 3 years. It was bad enough to need a wheelchair and not be able to brush my own teeth, but at that time it hadnt yet spread. I am so very grateful that my deltoid trunk and hand muscles were more determined to be involved than my bulbar and respiratory ones when reaching that peak.

Calmday

" To strizzlow, 007dan, and everyone:

Would you agree - that at the top of the list - for the creeping, warning-signs of worsening MG - are the bulbar symptoms?
Symptoms like: increasing shortness of breath, increasing difficulty with swallowing, increasing difficulty with talking (including increasing hoarseness).
These are the specific symptoms that I watch in myself, so as to catch any problems, earlier than I have, in the past.
I'm not ignoring generalized MG, and the weakness that comes with it.
But these bulbar symptoms are tell-tale symptoms, at least for me.
angepugin
angepugin
Hi Strizzlow. Sorry to hear that you are having such a tough time and really hoping that you get the help you deserve sooner rather than later. Yeah Ross I totally agree! For me, increased bulbar symptoms are a big warning bell. Particularly neck weakness, choking and even more so my voice getting hoarse and disappearing. When that happens to me I know I better hit the hospital immediately. Its nice now that I know this because it means I am alerted to a problem and can get help on time. We need to get to know our bodies and the warning signs they give us. Strength to all!
Ange
strizzlow20
strizzlow20
I started with bulbar symptoms, that's why my doctor even tested me for MG because he wasn't sure. I haven't had too many problems over the years that I couldn't learn to deal with. My would feel heavy and fluctuate. I only had a few times where I felt like I couldn't breathe very good. I've noticed when I am talking I seem to be hard of breathing, but what is new is the body wide weakness and vision. My limbs are feeling very heavy and get tired easily. My right leg gets heavy when I drive, especially at night. I've never had a crisis but I have had a lot of problems, more so now than ever.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I don't want to sound preachy or tell you what to do... BUT from what happened to me - don't wait until August 20. See if your local neuro can get you in soon and see what he or she says again. I'll be honest, my neuro still wanted to wait to see what the specialist said, but my GP listened to me.

I wish I would have started more aggressive treatment a month ago.
GreenMarie
GreenMarie
I agree with the top of the list symptoms but would add two that I experience. One is a change in gait. I feel like one side of my body lags behind the others. The other thing is feeling muscle fatigue that makes it too hard to lift a fork to eat. This is often a first symptom for me besides the harder breathing and such.