Myasthenia Gravis

Diagnosis

A common way to diagnose this disease is to test how your body responds to certain medications. Other tests may include:

• Blood tests—look for antibodies
• Nerve conduction studies—stimulate nerves
• Single-fiber EMG—records the transmission of signals from nerve to muscle
• Genetic tests—see if it runs in families

Treatment

With treatment, most can expect to lead normal or nearly normal lives. Some cases may go into remission temporarily, and muscle weakness may disappear so medications can be discontinued. In a few cases, the severe weakness of myasthenia gravis may cause respiratory failure, which requires immediate emergency medical care.

Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, general health, and severity of the disease. IT may include:

• Medicine—Anticholinesterase medicines, steroids, or medicines that suppress the immune system’s response
• Thymectomy—a surgical removal of the thymus gland
• Plasmapheresis—a procedure that removes abnormal antibodies and replaces the blood with normal antibodies
• Immunoglobulin—a blood product that is given intravenously (by IV) to decrease the immune system’s attack on the nervous system
• Infusions of monoclonal antibody—includes eculizumab and others which are effective for people with the more common form of MG