Well, that doctor is wrong, which isn't surprising. A lot of doctors read a two page spread on MG and think they know about it. MG is more complex than that.
Both hyperventilation and hypoventilation can occur in MG. It all depends upon whether the breathing out or breathing in is worse.
Here is a quote from a book on MG, by MG experts.
“Arterial blood gas measurements are a relatively insensitive measure of impending respiratory decompensation in MG since the initial changes are consistent with hyperventilation and are usually attributed to anxiety. By the time CO2 retention occurs, the respiratory muscles have already begun to decompensate.”
What that statement means is that a patient's chest wall muscles are already FAILING and they are in imminent danger. Duh. Hyperventilation in this case does not mean anxiety; it is a physiological change in a body's metabolism/breathing. Neither does hypoventilation. I'm tired of them doing this "The patient is a weak female and, therefore, is just tired or depressed or anxious or whatever" nonsense.
Sure, a low carbon dioxide can also mean Addison's Disease, so someone should check your adrenal function (cortisol, etc.). It can also mean that you have metabolic acidosis, ketoacidosis, or lactic acidosis. A lactic acid buildup can occur in an MG crisis, too.
http://books.google.com/books?id=6GQ...idosis&f=false
A smart ER doctor will do a clinical exam, run thorough breathing tests (including MIP and MEP), do an arterial blood gas, check oxygen saturation (sitting and walking), and an ECG (because low oxygenation or hypoxemia is hard on the heart).
Is your pulse higher than normal? When the body doesn't have enough oxygen, the heart beats harder in an attempt to get it oxygen, thereby raising the pulse.
You can get an oximeter (I like Nonin's GO2) on Amazon to check your O2 and pulse for yourself.
EIGHT kids?! OMG, you're a saint.
What else can we help with? I really hope you can find an MG expert. If you tell us what area you live in, someone might be able to point one out to you.
You need to bedridden, actually. Stay cool-ish. Sleep and nap a lot.
And no stress.
Annie