Myasthenia gravis can look different for each person. Your own experience and symptoms depend on which muscles are affected, your treatment plan and other things unique to you. You may have times when symptoms get worse (a flare-up). Other times they may get better for a while (remission).
Knowing the basics
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune condition. This means that the body attacks parts of itself. In myasthenia gravis, the body’s immune system attacks what is needed for nerves to talk to muscles. Your muscles get tired and weak, especially when you use them. The muscles usually get strong again after you rest them.
Myasthenia gravis usually affects the muscles of your eyes, face, lips, tongue, jaw, neck, arms and legs. This can make it hard to do things like chew, swallow, shrug your shoulders, lift your arm up, hold on to things, get out of a chair, or walk up the stairs. Your eyes might get tired and your eyelids might start to droop, or you might see double or have blurry vision. When the muscles that help you breathe get tired, it’s called a myasthenic crisis. This is an emergency.
Myasthenia gravis is a long-term (chronic) health condition. There is no cure yet. But there are treatment options. Your neurologist (a doctor who works with diseases of the nervous system) and other care providers will create a plan to reduce your symptoms and decrease the risk of flare-ups. You’ll also learn to manage your symptoms and avoid triggers.
Living with myasthenia gravis can be challenging. Our goal is to help you understand your condition and symptoms so you have more days when you feel well.
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