Like everything else about this disease - I think each person is different. I was diagnosed in 2000 and for the first 4-5 years, I took only Cellcept and Mestinon and continued to have a fairly normal life. In 2005, I had my first crisis and my thymectomy. I have had some good periods since then, but have gotten progressively weaker. I retired on disability in Nov 2010 because my breathing was so labored and my overall weakness progressed.

So for me, it took about 10 years from diagnosis to the point I couldn't work anymore, As I said, my belief is that it is personal to the individual.

Good luck with your journey!

The first MG symptoms suddenly appeared in May 2007 and were quickly dramatically increased by a medication strictly forbidden to MGer's and that prompted a quick DX...
Pred, Cellcept, Mestinon, PLEX gradually provided a return to an almost normal life until I relapsed in September 2009 and I'm still presently struggling, 13 mg/d Pred and PLEX once a month...
My neuro is pushing for a Rituximab trial but I'm still resisting...
Maurice.