I was once told after an initial fibromyalgia diagnosis from a reheumatologist that the illness can open up the doors to a myriad of other neurological dysfunctions. Recently a reader, and sufferer of fibromyalgia, came up with a few new symptoms that were not on the usual fibro list. Before long, the issue became so profound that he was transported to the hospital for a plasmapheresis. A plasmapheresis is a blood purification procedure used to treat several autoimmune diseases. It is also known as therapeutic plasma exchange.
I believe it is important to nourish our brains with as much medical information as possible to ensure the once obscure illnesses become common ground. Should you experience another lesser known illness, please drop me an email so that we can bring it to the attention of other readers. With a community of hope we can be on the offense.
Myasthenia gravis (my-us-THEE-nee-uh GRAY-vis) is characterized by weakness and rapid fatigue of any of the muscles under your voluntary control. Myasthenia gravis is caused by a breakdown in the normal communication between nerves and muscles. There is no cure for myasthenia gravis, but treatment can help relieve signs and symptoms, such as weakness of arm or leg muscles, double vision, drooping eyelids, and difficulties with speech, chewing, swallowing and breathing. Though myasthenia gravis can affect people of any age, it's more common in women younger than 40 and in men older than 60.
Muscle weakness caused by myasthenia gravis worsens as the affected muscle is used repeatedly. Because symptoms usually improve with rest, your muscle weakness may come and go. However, myasthenia gravis symptoms tend to progress over time, usually reaching their worst within a few years after the onset of the disease. Although myasthenia gravis can affect any of the muscles that you control voluntarily, certain muscle groups are more commonly affected than others.
In more than half the people who develop myasthenia gravis, their first signs and symptoms involve eye problems, such as:
Myasthenia gravis can cause weakness in your neck, arms and legs, but this usually happens along with muscle weakness in other parts of your body, such as your eyes, face or throat. The disorder usually affects arms more often than legs. However, if it affects your legs, you may waddle when you walk. If your neck is weak, it may be hard to hold up your head.
Talk to your doctor if you have difficulty:
I believe it is important to nourish our brains with as much medical information as possible to ensure the once obscure illnesses become common ground. Should you experience another lesser known illness, please drop me an email so that we can bring it to the attention of other readers. With a community of hope we can be on the offense.
Myasthenia gravis (my-us-THEE-nee-uh GRAY-vis) is characterized by weakness and rapid fatigue of any of the muscles under your voluntary control. Myasthenia gravis is caused by a breakdown in the normal communication between nerves and muscles. There is no cure for myasthenia gravis, but treatment can help relieve signs and symptoms, such as weakness of arm or leg muscles, double vision, drooping eyelids, and difficulties with speech, chewing, swallowing and breathing. Though myasthenia gravis can affect people of any age, it's more common in women younger than 40 and in men older than 60.
Muscle weakness caused by myasthenia gravis worsens as the affected muscle is used repeatedly. Because symptoms usually improve with rest, your muscle weakness may come and go. However, myasthenia gravis symptoms tend to progress over time, usually reaching their worst within a few years after the onset of the disease. Although myasthenia gravis can affect any of the muscles that you control voluntarily, certain muscle groups are more commonly affected than others.
In more than half the people who develop myasthenia gravis, their first signs and symptoms involve eye problems, such as:
- Drooping of one or both eyelids (ptosis).
- Double vision (diplopia), which may be horizontal or vertical, and improves or resolves when one eye is closed.
- Altered speaking. Your speech may sound very soft or nasal, depending upon which muscles have been affected.
- Difficulty swallowing. You may choke very easily, which makes it difficult to eat, drink or take pills. In some cases, liquids you're trying to swallow may come out your nose.
- Problems chewing. The muscles used for chewing may wear out halfway through a meal, particularly if you've been eating something hard to chew, such as steak.
- Limited facial expressions. Your family members may comment that you've "lost your smile" if the muscles that control your facial expressions have been affected
Myasthenia gravis can cause weakness in your neck, arms and legs, but this usually happens along with muscle weakness in other parts of your body, such as your eyes, face or throat. The disorder usually affects arms more often than legs. However, if it affects your legs, you may waddle when you walk. If your neck is weak, it may be hard to hold up your head.
Talk to your doctor if you have difficulty:
- Breathing
- Seeing
- Swallowing
- Chewing
- Walking
- Using your arms or hands
- Holding up your head
RSS Feed
