My Myasthenia Gravis
Many years ago, I was diagnosed
with myasthenia gravis. It was one of the most stressful episodes in my
life. I was in my fifties—call it midlife crisis if you would.
One day I felt intense pressure on
my eyes. My first concern was glaucoma (a condition of increased fluid pressure
inside the eye). I went to see an ophthalmologist who subsequently referred me
to a neurologist, who was then the head of the neurology department in a
well-known healthcare system in Cleveland ,
Ohio . After running some medical
tests, he confirmed his diagnosis that I had myasthenia gravis.
I had developed ocular symptoms:
ptosis (drooping of eyelids) and diplopia (double vision) in my myasthenia
gravis.
My neck and limb muscles were also
weak. I had to use a neck-rest to prop up my head when I drove; I could hardly
use my fingers to control the mouse when I used my computer; and I could not
raise my hand without using the other hand to help prop it up.
Fortunately, I did not experience
any weakness of the muscles of my pharynx, which could cause difficulty in
chewing and swallowing, as well as slurred speech, in many cases of myasthenia
gravis.
Naturally, I was devastated at the
diagnosis and the conditions of my myasthenia gravis, which all happened within
a matter of days. Worst of all, the neurologist told me that there was no known
cure, although he reassured me that he could improve my symptoms.
In the first two or three years, I
was prescribed several medications not only to address the symptoms but also to
treat the side effects from the medications. There was some improvement, but I
decided to drop all medications.
I‘ll tell you
more next time.
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