I have read where several people on this site, indicated that they thought, to have MG, might cause you to be more susceptable to things like cancer, heart problems, or etc. Even maybe the medication we take might contibute, to things like this. At least I got that impression. Is there any real basis for that, or just guess-work. Just wanted ask, if anyone has a comment.
Thanks
FREDH

Hi, FREDH. I hope I can clarify a few things about that.

MG in and of itself does not predispose you to having cancer. Being treated with steroids and other immunosuppressants can, since they suppress the immune system. There are many examples of people who have autoimmune diseases, get treated with those drugs and end up with a cancer from them. A woman I knew who had lupus ended up with a brain tumor from her treatments. Robin Roberts, who had breast cancer, had chemotherapy and then got myelodysplastic syndrome from it. She just had a bone marrow transplant and, hopefully, she will be okay. And there are people whose family have a strong history of cancer who are advised against such treatments due to that.

But not everyone who has steroids or other immuno drugs gets cancer.

MG, if it is constantly moderate to severe, can cause higher blood pressure. Higher blood pressure can lead to other problems, like heart and kidney issues. But having a primary doctor and neurologist to monitor you yearly should help to minimize any potential problems.

LEMS (Labert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome) is a bit different than MG and can predispose patients to a type of small cell lung cancer.

A lack of acetylcholine, which MGers can have, can make someone's peristalsis (how food is moved through the GI tract) slow down. You can be more constipated due to that.

MG all by itself is a handful but it doesn't necessarily lead to other issues. It's important that if you get sick, that you see your primary doctor, and neurologist if necessary, to get treatment if you need it, since it can make MG worse.

Does that help? Are you worried about something in particular? I think a conversation with your primary doctor and/or neurologist about all of this would be a good idea. Take care.

Annie

MG can cause high blood pressure? How does that work? My blood pressure is high, and once when I was at the ER for an episode of severe hypertension, they recorded it as high as 245/140. I have finally got it under control at least for now, but I have to take medication.

Thanks Annie and Celeste. I have no special concerns, only curious as I heard that. I have MG and is very well controlled by Mestinon only, at least for now.
I am fairly new at this, diagonsed in May or June, and just wanting to get any answers that I might need.
I read nearly every post on this board, trying to learn as much as possible from the pro's.
So thanks for the info and more later
FREDH

I think you mean my topic? http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread177307.html

That some medicine can cause more problems, is a fact. It is, however, not a fact you will need this treatments or, if you do need them, you will get this problems.
But, steroids are known for on the longterm, causing more problems. if you use them for years and years, you probably get some problems.
For me, for example, my mg meds caused to name a few: a weak heart, livercirroses and diabetes.

Immune suppresors are just crappy. But sometimes you need them. Yes they can cause loads of problems, but it doesn't mean you will get tose problems. Sometimes people take those for years and years and never get any problems of it!

Good that you only need mestinon! I know mestinon can cause lower bloodpressure, gastroproblems and some more. But nothing to really worry about if you take normal dosages.
Good luck with your new dx.

For what it is worth.... I have low blood pressure.

It is my belief that cancer can cause MG (I had cancer of the thymus which was discovered while trying to discover what these crazy symptoms were all about... I'm convinced that that was the cause of my MG.) I don't think there is any evidence that the reverse is true.

I have been having problems with my lower jaw weakness, My neurogolist just raised my prednisone up to 120 mg daily from 60 mg. Isn't that a big jump at one time? I think that I will start up with only 10 mg at a time. Anyone ever went up that much at one time?

Xrpodn, that does seem like a big jump in medication to me. That much prednisone would keep me awake at night. Then again, a grasshopper chirping two miles away would probably keep me awake.....

Fred, I am glad that mestinon is doing it for you.
It was doing great for me, but this week, not so much. Hopefully there will just be good days and bad days.

I have been on immunosuppressant’s (Imuran, Cellcept) for 2 years. Earlier this year I had 2 skin cancers removed. Just in the last 2 weeks I have discovered 2 more that will be removed next month. Now if the meds caused these that cannot be proven however since my immune system has been compromised I strongly suspect this is the case.
Mike

xrpodn, You need to bring this up with your neurologist and/or primary doctor right away. Yes, that is a VERY big jump. And it could make your MG worse. Do not make any changes until you talk to your doctors.

Yes, MG can cause high blood pressure - via weak muscles. Muscles help the circulatory system, for one. Two, when MG gets worse, the heart pumps faster to get the body more oxygen, thereby raising your pulse.

Everything in the body is connected in one way or another. You know how some athletes have bradycardia (low heart rate)? It's because they are in such good shape that their hearts don't have to work as hard.

Always check with your doctor if you have a BP or heart rate that is too high or low. Know what your normal BP and HR are so that you can know if they change! Your normal may not be the same as someone else's normal.

Fred, chime in anytime with questions! There's a pretty big learning curve with MG. I hope you're doing okay.

Annie