Neuro Note 6: Myasthenia Gravis (MG)

 

Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder that affects the neuromuscular junction of voluntary muscles. More specifically, it is the acetylcholine (an important neurotransmitter for muscle movement) which is no longer being transmitted due to its receptor antibodies destruction of it before it gets to the muscle. Knowing this information you could suspect that the first symptom that arises is muscle weakness, followed by fatigue and diplopia. 

    Today I am going to be discussing an individual with MG, named Holly, who shared her story on YouTube for others to hear. Holly is a mom of 7 children, therefore you could see how her occupations could be highly affected by this disease. Prolonged years of fatigue, major battles with diplopia, and issues  with swallowing, Holly knew something was not normal. The symptom that was affecting her life the greatest in the early stages however, was the double vision. Friends and family would say to her, "oh you're getting close to 40, you're just getting the elderly people eyes". There were moments when Holly would think, am I over thinking these things? 

    Initially Holly saw an eye specialist, who told her if the medication he prescribed to her worked, he could diagnose her with ocular MG. In shock, Holly for the first time, was able to see details, one tree on the side of the road vs. a cluster of trees she had been seeing for years. As time passed, the muscle weakness came, standing to do dishes was no longer an option, spending time with her arms raised to fix her hair became nearly impossible. Holly then knew it was time to see a neurologist, where he observed the drooping of her eye, the speech difficulties, and the slouching posture she obtained. Ocular MG was not longer the diagnosis, but instead general MG. Through a long journey of medication trials, Holly has finally found the treatment for her symptoms, IVIG or Intravenous immune globulin therapy. 

    You can tell the emotional impact this disease has caused Holly by the tears she sheds telling about her first encounter being able to stand to cook again. I chose to write on Holly's story because there may be many people who have never heard of MG before, but there might be someone reading this who is fighting their own battle with MG. Holly highlighted at the end of her video how important family education is, because there have been times where she couldn't speak, but her family had to be her voice. Increasing awareness of MG can allow so many others to be the voice and help support those who's lives have been effected by MG. Please refer to the link posted below to hear Holly's incredible story for yourself! 

YouTube. (2017, July 13). Holly's story: My experience with mg treatments. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8mF1sL5ZMM. 

YouTube. (2019, May 11). Myasthenia gravis. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il3vvxNpls8.