Autoimmune Conditions Common With MG
"Like many other autoimmune conditions, research shows that people who develop MG may have inherited genes that make them more likely to develop autoimmune conditions.
Doctors also know that people with MG are at higher risk of already having or developing other autoimmune conditions.
Worldwide, about 5 out of every 100 people have 1 or more autoimmune disorders. In people with MG, 13 to 22 out of every 100 people have a second autoimmune condition.
The autoimmune conditions that people most often have in addition to MG include:
Thyroiditis (autoimmune thyroid disease)
Lupus
Multiple sclerosis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Sjogren’s syndrome
Scleroderma
Ulcerative colitis
Addison disease
Pernicious anemia
Red cell aplasia
Sarcoidosis"
https://myasthenia-gravis.com/related-autoimmune-diseases.
Do you live with any of these conditions?
MG is my second autoimmune disease. I have had lupus for over 20 years
Yes I have Sjogrens
Hi
, how have you been managing both conditions? Also, I see that you are new to our community and I wanted to take this opportunity to welcome you! I am so glad you found us. Please know our community is here to provide support in any we can. Don't hesitate to reach out anytime. Again, welcome! -Jessica, MG Team Member
Yes, I also have Hashimoto’s and Fibromyalgia. I think that may be why it took so long (10 years) to be diagnosed. I was also misdiagnosed with Addison’s before finally seeing a neuro-muscular doctor who quickly saw the MG.
I start IVIG in three days. Infusions once a day for 5 days as a first dose then once a month. I’m praying that I will feel better. At last I finally have hope.
I know the IVIG won’t help my chronic pain, but if I can finally SEE and swallow and the muscle exhaustion gets better, it will be amazing. I finally have hope. I finally know I’m not just crazy or a hypochondriac. I have hated myself for years for my inability to function like other people.Best of luck as you start the IVIG. This article shares some tips to help mitigate side effects and make the process as pleasant as possible, https://myasthenia-gravis.com/living/ivig-lessons-learned. I wholeheartedly understand that awful feeling of hating ourselves when comparing our abilities to others. Jessica did a great job putting that into words and sharing how she rediscovered herself after MG, https://myasthenia-gravis.com/living/rediscovering-normal. - Jodi, Team Member
These autoimmune conditions pointed us to "Autoimmune Polyendocrine Syndrome Type II" https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/autoimmune-polyendocrine-syndrome-type-ii/#
where we found Myasthenia Gravis as a possible associated disorder. One Doctor confirmed Myasthenia Gravis but he was not a specialist. At this time we are still trying to find an MG specialist that can help us do more testing and put together a treatment plan.
My wife and family have been super supportive through all these 13+ years of struggle, and I am forever grateful for their support. I now work from home with a flexible schedule and assistive devices such as a battery chair to conserve strength and avoid flares.
I do not yet know which or what drugs/treatment will work best.After reading more about the AChR test and reviewing my results in more detail I wonder if perhaps I am wrong about it being negative... I did 2 AChR test's about 3 months apart, the first test result was .30 and the second was .42 That, which appears to be a small amount, should equate to an MG diagnosis, as healthy individuals(those without MG) do not have AChR present. - Jodi, Team Member
