Hi all,

I'm so glad I found this forum. I was just diagnosed with MG this month. At this point my sypmtoms are minor (only ocular) compared to a lot of you, and for that I am thankful. My diagnosis was swift and actually I had found out about MG by doing a google search for droopy eyelid + double vision before my first doctor's appointment.

My story / background:

Female, 56 (well almost 57) -- aren't I old to be getting this?
Homemaker (took "early" retirement 8 years ago after working in office environment for 30 years)

First noticed "eye" problems on July 2 while driving to do some shopping. Had hard time focusing and almost called my husband to come get me, but I didn't. While I was in the first store, I felt like I was a bit drunk and everything around me just seemed weird. I just thought I had overdone it on the computer. I had just been to the optometrist for an eye exam the month before and everything was OK. Even did a trial of the multi-focal contact lenses, but didn't like them.

Over the weekend the vision didn't improve and I noticed that my right eyelid would droop and double vision was definitely there. I called to get a re-exam with the optometrist which was scheduled for 2 days later. That morning before the appointment I had found MG on my google search and thought "that's me." I printed out the fact sheet for occular MG and put it in my purse. My exam showed no problems with my eyesight (when I could focus), but she wanted me to see a neuro opthamologist. I told her I was scheduled to leave on an 18-day vacation that Saturday (2 Alaska cruises). She got me an appointment for that Friday (one day to spare). I asked her if it could be MG and she didn't say yes or no.

At the neuro opthamologist appt. he said he thought it was MG and ordered a blood test for acetycholine receptor antibody. He gave me a recommendation for a neurology group to see for a neuro evaluation. He hedged on whether or not I should take my vacation. I told him we had trip insurance and that if we cancelled he would be required to fill out a physician's statement for us to get reimbursed. He said no problem. If we were only going to be gone a week and be land-based I probably would have gone, but to be on a cruise ship for 14 days with stops in small Alaska cities, I just found that too unsettling. So we dediced to cancel.

The following week I got the results for the blood test and they were positive. I still had almost a week before my visit with the neurologist, but at least there was no question.

Met with the neurologist earlier this week and he has put me on Prednisone 40mg (4 10mg tablets) and Mestinon 60mg 3 times a day. I started on them 4 days ago. The first day I took them I noticed a vast improvement later that day in both my double vision and eyelid droop. A miracle I thought! I do notice that my eyelids twitch from time to time. I drove yesterday for the first time in 2 weeks -- just about 3 miles to church and back. Still don't feel comfortable driving longer distances, esepcially with lots of traffic.

The neuro also ordered a CT scan for thymus and blood test for thryroid (THS #4 I believe). I had the CT scan this past Friday and should have results in a day or 2. Keeping my fingers crossed there is no problem with the thymus.

Sorry this is so long-winded, but it's just good to get it all out. I have been keeping a daily diary with symptoms, doctors' appointments, etc., so that I don't have to rely on my memory.

I haven't read this entire forum yet, but feel like I already know some of you. Some of you are dealing with so much more than I can even imagine, you are my heroes.

Kathy