Avatar feed
Responses: 5
Sgt Wayne Wood
3
3
0
I was diagnosed with MG 4 years ago. I lost 35 pounds in a few months because i couldn't chew or swallow. The VA just kidded me along for 4 months until i went to a civilian Neurologist. It took him less than a minute to diagnose me. I had him write everything up & took it back to the VA. My primary care Dr still refused (and refuses) to accept the diagnosis. He put me in for a neurological consult & eventually the Neuro clinic took over & i began treatment.

In my case, the MG affects my face, throat, shoulders, and arms/hands. I have one pill that allows me to eat, another for evetything else. I was a college professor, had to quit because i couldn't lecture anymore. After about 15 minutes or so i'd start to slur my words & drool (couldn't swallow), my speech would sound like Donald Duck on helium (loss of tongue control & vocal chords).

Eventually i made movies of my lectures & labs, but at some point you're done.
(3)
Comment
(0)
Sgt Wayne Wood
Sgt Wayne Wood
8 y
Maj Kim Patterson - remission? Both the VA & the civilian Neurologist said the best i could hope for was stabilization. My version is cyclic with about a 3 month overlapping period. My "goods" aren't that great but my "bads" really suck. The fact that you achieved remission gives me hope... thanks & Merry Christmas!
(1)
Reply
(0)
Maj Kim Patterson
Maj Kim Patterson
8 y
6b755038
52a870bc
54c19799
August and last weekend when I went dancing. I have been on and off the vent, wear a semi stiff brace to support my head until I get stronger. I take it off for pictures because of vanity. I wear it all day because of necessity. I returned to equine therapy as well. In between, I must rest or risk plummeting back to death.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Maj Kim Patterson
Maj Kim Patterson
8 y
Sgt Wayne Wood Merry Christmas! There is hope, each of us is different and often it has looked grim but here I am! They are researching as effectively as possible. I pray better days are ahead for all of us.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Maj Kim Patterson
Maj Kim Patterson
8 y
I am still a nurse but had to take a break from forensic nursing. I cannot work. But I can volunteer on my good days. They understand those are unpredictable.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SFC George Smith
3
3
0
The Difference between a true ailment ... and the Politically Correct Version of Thin-skinned and easily Offended Moronic Sophomoric Entitled generation of Spoiled Rotten Children with a lack of Vitamin "N"... of Snowflakes and Buttercups...

Symptoms, which vary in type, severity and combination, may include:
Drooping of one or both eyelids
Double or blurred vision
Weakness in arms, hands, fingers, neck, face or legs
Difficulty in chewing, smiling, swallowing or talking
Excessive fatigue in exercised muscle groups
Shortness of breath, difficulty taking a deep breath or coughing
MG is often called the “snowflake disease” because it differs so much from person to person. The degree of muscle weakness and the muscles that are affected vary greatly from patient to patient and from time to time.
(3)
Comment
(0)
Maj Kim Patterson
Maj Kim Patterson
8 y
SFC George Smith check check check check check check. Exercise actually makes us sicker. The majority of my friends with MG were superachievers before symptoms flared. Several died over the summer. Extremes of heat or cold are also deadly. One of the things used to treat it is plasma from someone else to attack antibodies that have turned and are attacking us. I can't tolerate it but it is life saving and donating pays cash in most locations. Put $ in your pocket, find a cause, help someone out.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Maj Kim Patterson
(0)
Reply
(0)
Maj Kim Patterson
Maj Kim Patterson
8 y
86243162
Often, the diagnosis comes too late. I am on a private site that only allows MG patients or those that are in process of diagnostics and symptomatic. We are at about 2000 worldwide and losing.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
CPT Jack Durish
2
2
0
Inasmuch as MG is a physical ailment, I would hope that sufferers are not emotionally crippled so as to suffer from a mixed metaphor. "Snowflake" is applied to MG, according to this article, because the disease presents itself in an infinite variety of symptoms as a snowflake presents itself in an infinite variety of shapes. "Snowflake" as applied to emotionally immature people is an apt description because they are as delicate as snowflakes. No disrespect intended in the case of the former and all disrespect intended for the latter.
(2)
Comment
(0)
Maj Kim Patterson
Maj Kim Patterson
8 y
CPT Jack Durish as a Snowflake with MG, I can tell you it is not for the weak. What it does to our bodies kills. And no treatment is guaranteed to work; over the last 40 years, I have been on and off ventilation, lost most of my vision, my ability to speak, walk, hold my own head up. With the blood work and infusions, my vascular system gave up. So did my kidneys, my lungs, and several other body parts. Most likely you take breathing for granted. Panic begins and I must conciously focus on taking a breath when I start to flare. Coordinating it with swallowing is trickier than walking a tightrope. It affects my ears, my heart. I am currently rehabbing from the months spent on bed; I grow stronger and am glad to be well enough to participate in this thread. Thanks Capt Tom Brown I appreciate the support.
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

close