YouTube Videos

MGF of Illinois has abridged versions of its educational videos on

• MG Treatments: Conventional to Cutting Edge (75 min) DVD, April, 2011. Dr. Michael Merchut discusses how MG affects the body and reviews the full range of MG treatments - from current to on-the-horizon. Dr. Bruce McLeod describes the science and procedure of plasmapheresis.
• MG Across Generations (58 min), DVD, October, 2010. A patient / physician panel talks about the unique challenges faced by MG patients of different ages as they meet life's milestones - starting college, immersed in family and career, entering retirement. Advice and inspiration.
• De-Mystifying Insurance (53 min), DVD, April, 2010. Two speakers from Lifecare Innovations discuss practical issues and solutions to accessing care and maximizing coverage. Lessons include how to be your own advocate, how to negotiate with providers and insurers and how to manage health insurance claims.
• What Else Can Go Wrong? Chronic Illness & Mental Health (1 hour, 25 min) DVD, October 2009.  Panelists Suzanne Yellen, PhD, therapist Susan O"Connell, M. Ed., and William Frerichs, MG patient, discuss the many impacts of illness on patients, caregivers, family and friends.
• Living Strong - Clinical Research & Treatment (1 hour, 29 min) DVD, August 2009.  Drs. Julie Rowin and Matthew Meriggioli discuss current and future treatments for MG, side effects of treatment, the immune system, clinical trials and how new treatments are researched and tested.
• Swallowing and Chewing Issues with MG (1 hour, 18 min.), DVD, April, 2009. Jennifer Cross, a speech pathologist, discusses symptoms, tests, evaluations for MG patients and specific suggestions about chewing and swallowing. Ms. Cross is followed by Dr. Lee Akst, from the Loyola Swallowing Center, discussing bulbar symptoms, the differences in normal and MG patient voice and swallowing and possible outcomes. ($15.00)
• Attacking MG—Redefining the Limits, (56 min.) DVD, September 2008. A young college athlete discusses how she redefines her own limits and maintains a positive outlook.
• Experiencing Relaxation, (1 hour, 19 min.) May 2008. Scientific studies show that stress can worsen medical symptoms. Dr. Albina Tamalonis discusses the effects of stress and demonstrates several relaxation techniques.
• Fatigue, Sleep and MG, (59 minutes), October 2007 Dr. Wayne Rubinstein discusses the difference between fatigue and sleep and ways to manage the symptoms and effects. Sleep apnea and hypersomnia in MG patients is presented.
• Ocular MG, (53 min.) April 2007 Dr. Thomas Mizen presents a layman’s explanation of the physiological causes of ocular MG, along with diagnosis and treatment options.  
• Myasthenia Gravis – What You Probably Don’t Know, (2 hours) October 2006 Dr. Robert Pascuzzi presents the history of the disease and the latest in research. He talks about depression, energy sappers and nutritional guidelines.
• Beauty Does Lie: The Untold Stories of Autoimmune Diseases, August 2007 A documentary that explores the lives of seven women as they cope with their individual autoimmune diseases. The purpose of the documentary is to spread awareness of how people deal with an autoimmune disease diagnosis and to offer a message of hope. To order, go to: http://www.fanlight.com/catalog/films/477_bdl.php