Hi Everyone--I am a newbie here but have been reading for well over a month now. I want to say how much I admire everyone's tenacity as you live with this horrible, insidious disease. I offer encouragement and support to you as you deal with MG every minute of every day. I did not know much about MG until my sweet, very healthy-up-to-that-point mother was diagnosed Dec. 30. Can you imagine getting this diagnosis at age 92 1/2???? She noticed a problem with her vision while driving in Sept. and promptly went to her Opthamologist. She KNEW something was just not right and he sent her for an MRI, which showed nothing. He told her to rest her eye, keep it closed or wear a patch and return to him in 6 weeks. My mom lived 10 hours away from me---I kick myself now for not going up there to delve into this further because, at the time, I didn't think it sounded right. When she returned to him in Nov., he just said she had double vision but did no further tests, did not send her to a neuro, etc. She was an hour away from DUKE!!! But...not knowing details, I just thought I would take her to my Opth. in Dec. when she would be visiting my family for the holidays. She called me on Dec. 8 saying she could not manipulate anything with her hands...she didn't know what was going on, thought she may have had a stroke...and even thought she might have ALS. She was diagnosed with a mini stroke by her family doctor who did not refer her to a neuro. I got her to my house where she saw a neuro at the University Med. center and was positively diagnosed with MG. Her symptoms were classic and VERY severe. Drooping eyes, unable to wash face, brush teeth, feed herself at times. The mestinon, initially, was like a miracle drug because her symptoms quickly abated. However, she was unable to conquer swallowing problems--even with IVIG and a stint in the Neuro ICU. The mucus was unbelievable and her O2 sats not good. She died peacefully (right before her planned plasmapheresis) the end of Jan. surrounded by her loved ones. It was such a difficult time and was heart breaking to see someone so spunky, so alive struggle with the simple task of eating. She spent more time in the hospital in that last month--3 weeks, with just 1 week at home on O2--than all total in her entire life. She had lived a fantastic life--a great one--and said if it was her time to go, she was ready. My dad died 15 1/2 years ago and she was ready to be reunited with him. In those last 2 weeks, every one of her 11 grandchildren came from all over the country to be with her. It was amazing. I don't want this to be a DOWNER...but I just had to jump in here after reading all your posts and "getting to know" some of you through this. You are all so knowledgeable and educated about your disease and I commend you. I was just on the front end of that process when her battle became a major crisis. I read what I could but didn't find this forum until it was all over. I still have an avid interest in learning all I can about this disease. Time was just not on my mom's side and her age was a mitigating factor in the whole picture. I thank you for letting me vent and may jump in with a question or comment here or there, if that is okay. I am still in the grieving process and, somehow, it just helps to share a tiny bit of her story with people who understand and experience this awful disease. You are all so much younger than she---and that is a huge advantage. You are in my thoughts and prayers as I read your posts and imagine your challenges and struggles. As I sit here in tears, I can honestly say I hate this disease and the speed in which it overtook my precious mom's body. She hated it too---she hated her dependence on me and others, for she had always be so INdependent and such a strong person. Her exercise regimen, even at her age, put us all to shame. She did 2400 total reps per day, taking 1 hour 20 minutes to complete EVERY day until MG. Even then, after her diagnosis, she would exercise her arms and legs when she was able. I am so sorry for this rambling. I want to be an encourager to all of you---hang in there, you CAN do it, educate yourselves and support each other. Thanks for letting me have this moment.