It's Been 31 Years Now

I was diagnosed with MG in 1992 after being subjected to every kind of blood work and test available at that time. But, nothing was really positive until my doctor suggested the Tensilon test.

Getting diagnosed

At that time both my eyelids were swollen so much that I could barely see and my left arm and hand were very weak. As soon as he injected the drug into my veins, within 5 to 10 seconds, my eyelids flew open like window shades and my left arm and hand were perfectly normal. However, it only lasted for about 30 seconds and then things went back to the way they were before the injection. Luckily, it lasted long enough for the three doctors and four nurses (my wife, also) that were in the room to confirm the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis.

Where I am currently

Thirty-one years later and thousands of Mestinon pills, I still have the same symptoms. MG forced me to take early retirement, I was 46 when diagnosed and I am 77 now. I have double vision almost constantly every day, my eyelids still swell causing me to use medical-grade surgical tape to hold them up enough to see and my blood pressure consistently runs high. This disease completely destroyed all my future plans that I had when I was diagnosed 31 years ago.

If anyone has been diagnosed recently, or at any time, and might have a few questions, please feel free to write... Bill J.