All I want to know is: Does anyone know if thymectomy can be successful after years of having MG? Or does it need to be done within the first few years? (Thymus appears normal)...Any response would be appreciated

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I don't know that I would call mine successfull as in remission of mg, but I do know I would be dead right now if I had not had the thymectomy - but that's just me.

Diagnosed in 2000 and was told that at 50, I was to old for a thymectomy to do much good. MG progressed until 2005 when I had a crisis and had IVIG for the first time. Long story short, I had to have other surgery in my thorasic area and I insisted that if they had to open my chest, they could take out the thymus too - neuro agreed but we had to convince the surgeon that even though the CT scan didn't show any problems with the thymus, it wouldn't hurt to remove it.

Turns out I had a Stage II tumor in the thymus and because they got clean margins, I didn't have any chemo, just 28 radiation treatments. The MG was better for a couple of years, still did mestinon and cellcept, but was able to cut way nack on the IVIG. However, I have had a lot of problems the last few years amd retired on disability last fall.

Don't know if this helps, just wanted to give my experience. Hope you find the answer for you.

If your thymus is hyperplastic, then yeah, it may help. If the thymus is not hyperplastic you'll not likely see any change (from what I've been told from the neuro that I asked more details re. tymectomies from.) I had my thymectomy to remove a tumor... the details I was digging for was to find out if it would help with my MG after the fact.

This is the first Ive heard of hyperplastic thymus...google time. Thnx

I just read an article stating that there has been some success with thymectomy with long time mg. Sorry I can't find the article I read or I would link it to you. How long have you had MG? Does your neuro do periodic CT scans of your thymus to make sure there have been no changes over the years?
I had a thymectomy due to thymoma 16 months ago and there has been no change in my symptoms but am still hoping for remission!
Best wishes,
~sherry from texas

Had neuro apt. recently - - she said that there is some recent research that has put the benefits of thymectomy (in the absence of tumor) into question. I'll try to get the name of the study from her at apt next month.

Please be careful! I have been to many doctors who want to remove my thymus even though mine has always shown normal. The thymus is a important organ that we DO need. The thymus may not be working properly but that is not a reason to remove it.