erniehealth
my doctor has prescribed this as a next step in treating my MG. I started with ocular MG and progressed to general body MG with still lingering effects from ocular MG. If anyone has tried this and side effects or??
thank you
erniehealth Member
Ernie still here. A lot of the symptoms in previous post has subsided a little bit. The main thing is I am adapting to my issues and trying to find a work around. My wife is a lot of help.
Unfortunately, I acquired Shingles in my left lower leg (below the knee) and all the way down to my foot. I was told this is the type of shingles that involves multiple dermatones. Went to urgent care and was diagnosed with cellulitis at first. That wasted a full week of potential treatment. The second week developed a rash and sores all down my leg. They went away within 10 days. During that 10 days no pain or itching at all. I am now in the 3rd phase of shingles were the nerves begin to take over and cause painful nerve impulses in my foot. Very difficult to walk due to pain in foot. Exercise is impossible due to balance.
The good news is that the shingles are overshadowing the MG symptoms. The bad news is the pain due to shingles is much more severe and will not cease. I have asked several Doctors will the Shingles be affected by the MG or will the MG be affected by the Shingles. No answer. It seems the Doctors do not want to commit themselves.
Doctors continue to try to dial in my Medications. Steroids are down to 20mg per day. The Mycophenolate (Cellcept) has been cut in half. Pregabalin and Gabapentin have been added (reduce nerve pain) and they seem to be working. Vitamin D3 has been doubled along with liquid drops of Vit. D3 in morning. Seem to have more energy that is stable during the day not just in spurts.
I have to have some faith in my doctors especially since they are trying to modify meds. They do keep track of me physically (by calling me) between appointments.
Well time to sign off for now. Life is full of surprises some good and some not so good. It is not how well you get thru the good days but how well you get thru the bad days that ultimately determines the quality of a persons heart and soul. I look at the Shingles and MG setbacks as a chance to rest physically and mentally.
CommunityMember43e51f Member
Yes I have, it works: here us a recent reply I sent.
Interesting, when I went into a crisis with my MG I spent 51/2 months in the hospital. I was given IVIG a couple of times, three FLEX infusions. It stabled me but was still not able to swallow and my speech was horrible. I was being fed through a gruñe fir about 1 year and 3 months. When I was told by my Neurologist that I would never be able to swallow again I refused that notion. I started to research the illness and went to many seminars on the illness. The one treatment that caught my eye was VyvGart. I found another Neurologist that stated the treatment was fairly new but suggested I give it a try. Within 7 infusions I was able to swallow again and my speech came back. I did however, had a flare up where I was not able to swallow again but it was due to some medication prescribed to me. Again, after 3 VyvGart infusions I was able to swallow again. I was getting VyvGart (anti-AChR). Sorry that the treatment didn’t work for you. Question: how many infusions before you stopped? It was a God send for me.
I get 4 infusions every other month. It worked for me.
WhyMeMG Member
Ernie, your experience with gMG is similar but not exact to myself and I'm sure many others. I had 5 or 6 series of IVIG treatments and entered the ICU of my local hospital (NM) in 2024. I then had to be medevacked to another state (Utah) to get more IVIG and Plasmapheresis. I haven't lost my sense of taste but some foods taste a bit off. Today I go for my third injection of Vyvgart Hytrulo (one more after this). It has been two weeks since my first one and no improvement, but I was told it takes four to eight weeks to be effective.
I hope you are finding some relief by now. I know how the weakness affects your life as it does mine but I'm retired and don't have to work. Good luck.
Here is one of my images that might cheer you up.
Handy Andy Member
I am taking the vyvgart hytrulio, had so many side effects to prednisone, wanted off it. Have had 3 rounds, and have 3 to go, have to take a 50 mg of steroids with each shot as found I am allergic to the vyvgart. Still weaning off prednisone for another 3 weeks, takes forever to taper off. The meds they are replacing this stuff is mycophenolate, he said it takes 6 months to be working, using 2000mg. Think my biggest problem is dry eye, probably caused by steroids from what I have read.