Related Health Concerns
If you have myasthenia gravis, it’s not uncommon to have additional medical problems, too.
- Other autoimmune diseases
- Sleep problems
- Medication side effects
Other Autoimmune Diseases
People with MG are more likey to suffer from another autoimmune disease as well. These can include thyroid disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. With thyroid disease, an episode of hypothyroidism may trigger a flare up of MG weakness.
Medication Side Effects
When MG patients gather, first they compare symptoms, then treatments. Inevitably, talk next turns to medication side effects.
Almost every medication has side effects—effects on the body that are not intended and are not helpful. Which side effects you experience depends on your individual makeup, the dose, the length of time you take the medication, other drugs you’re taking, and so on. Simply put, everyone is different.
It’s important to discuss the side effects of every medication you take with your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe extra medications and vitamin supplements, for example, to ease digestive problems or prevent bone loss.
Corticosteroids like prednisone are worth a special mention here. They are used often as a first line of defense with MG because they work more quickly than other immunosuppressant drugs. But the side effects can be numerous. And sometimes a “side effect”—even from medications for another condition--can become more serious and life-changing than your MG. Read the fine print that comes with your medication. Keep up with regular blood tests, eye exams and other recommended checks.
Sleep Problems
Myasthenics often have sleep problems, either with the quantity or quality of sleep. You might experience insomnia, or symptoms of sleep apnea such as loud snoring, daytime sleepiness, and repeated stops in breathing as you sleep. Your sleeping partner may be aware of such problems before you are.
MG doesn’t necessarily cause these symptoms directly. Instead, the culprits can be MG medications, depression, or inactivity that leads to being overweight.
Be sure to discuss sleep problems with your doctor to rule out other, more serious causes. Many sleep concerns can be treated easily with improved sleep habits.
Unless otherwise stated, the information provided here is of a general nature, composed by non-medical personnel. It is meant to be accurate and helpful advice for MG patients. It is not intended to be medical opinion, nor is it a substitute for personal professional medical care.