View Single Post
Old 05-14-2018, 05:36 PM
AnnieB3 AnnieB3 is offline
Grand Magnate
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,306
15 yr Member
AnnieB3 AnnieB3 is offline
Grand Magnate
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,306
15 yr Member
Smile

Hi, Dave. I'm sorry that you feel confused. Did the doctor who ordered the tests talk to you about what the results might mean?

Since all of your Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody tests were positive, chances are high that you do have myasthenia gravis. Do you have symptoms of muscle weakness? Your binding results were off the charts. Your blocking were highly positive as well. The modulating antibodies, when you have high binding, are relevant. Some people with MG (4 - 6%) only have modulating antibodies.

Make sure that you ask a lot of questions tomorrow. You really need to think about the drug options. Mestinon is a helper drug that allows more acetylcholine to get to the muscles. That drug does not address the autoimmune antibody attack that is going on in the neuromuscular junction.

Steroids can cause serious side effects and disease states (steroid-induced diabetes, infections, cancer, and so many other issues such as fluid retention). There are other drugs that are more useful, but can come with risks for cancer (Imuran, Cellcept, etc.). Only you, along with your doctor, can figure out what is best for you. These decisions depend on many things, such as your overall health, any family history of cancer, what age you are, etc.

Do you have any questions we can answer?

You can also go to Home for more information.

I hope you have a good neurologist (a MG expert is better). If you can, bring someone with you to take notes so that you can focus on what to do next. There is a lot to learn about MG.

Just ask if you need more help!

Annie
AnnieB3 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
azwild (05-16-2018), pingpongman (05-14-2018)