Hi everyone - I just wondered how you all get/got on with those resistance tests the Neurologists do? My symptoms fluctuate and get worse with activity, my most persistent symptom is my facial droop is always there and will go from a drop on my top lip to a full one sided droop which affects my eyelid. I can move my face even at its worst by concious effort it usually feels heavy and takes effort but doesnt move automatically when I talk etc. My neuro always asks me to purse my lips, blow air into cheeks etc which I can do for the few seconds he requests. I have problems with my legs when symptoms are bad and he has done the resistance tests when they have been ok and said the strength seems fine (which I agree it is for one test and when I am not having a bad day with them!) I don't know how they would be if he repeatedly tested them though!

So, I wondered how you all find them? I have just had a negative achr blood test and he has asked to see me again at the end of the month and to contact him if my symptoms get worse again before then. I have requested an EMG and am waiting for his reply but just wondered if maybe you might be able to tell me if you think my problem might not be MG related after all??

Thanks again to you all for taking the time to read and reply.x

Actually the 2 Neurologists that I saw didn't do a very thorough test on me. It was almost like a quick DUI test. Walk 10 steps heel to to toe, check reflexes, push & pull only one time, then because the MRI & nerve conduction tests were negative, they say it's all in my head?. My first visit with a Rheumatologist he did a way more thorough push/pull strength tests, sit on floor then try to get up without using hands, etc. asked a lot more questions and also listened to me. He couldn't believe how bad/weak my muscles were and said there was no way it was in my head or depression related. I've pretty much given up on the Neurologists and am relying on my Rheumatologist. Hope that you have better luck than I've had so far. Plus I'm having tremors in my right hand everyday that's progressing which looks like I might be getting Parkinson's instead of Myasthenia.

I do very poor on the strength test. My left side is substantially weaker than the right. My left hand has no strength at all. The weakness gets worse at the testing progresses. Neck muscles are very weak as well, it has no resistance. The neuro even tested the strength of my tongue pressing against my cheek which must have been really bad because he said I bet you have a lot of problems swallowing because your tongue cannot gather the food to help with the swallowing and he was absolutely right. That is why I do not eat much carb and have a very mushy diet.

But those symptoms have gotten worse. For a long time my strength remained good, but was easily fatigued. For the last 6 month, I have noticed that my strength is gone and has not returned even with the mestinon and pregnisone.

kathie

Hi Kathie,
A few years ago, I posted the testing procedure my neuro follows each time we meet to quantify my MG.
For those who are interested, it is on
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...825#post406825
It is certainly adequate for generalized MG which may not be your case.
Also for you information, my score is now 97/100.
Maurice.

I do fine on the strength tests, except once when the neurologist had me push back on his hand...and keep pushing...and keep pushing. My strength is quite normal at first--it's just that I wear out faster than normal. So if they only test my strength for a few seconds per muscle, I seem normal. I think that my kind of weakness is typical of mild-to-moderate MG, and that therefore a neurologist who suspects MG should ask the patient to sustain the push.

I'm seronegative, too (blood tested negative for antibodies). I was diagnosed by single-fiber EMG.

Abby

My first symptom was just a droopy eyelid. It was almost completely closed. It came on suddenly on a long trip. Concerned about a stroke, I went to the ER. Our hospital just started an urgent care facility that I thought was competing with the commercial urgent care facilities, sort of a pre ER, but the prices they charged Medicare on my behalf were ER prices. They said that because the rest of the face was not involved it was not a stroke and referred me to an ophthalmologist. The first diagnosis was Ptosis, but a need for cataract surgery was also diagnosed .It was not until after double vision, tunnel vision, getting very tired but recovering quickly etc occurred that MG was suspected and then confirmed with the blood test. I was then referred to a Neurologist. Now, 10 weeks and 11 doctor visits later I am now in treatment with a CT scan of the chest, muscle fiber test, and for some reason a sleep APNEA test in the process of being scheduled. All of us with MG seem to be different, and MG is a very serious disease, but if your whole face droops before the other eye symptoms start, are you sure you don't have something even more serious?
A negative ACHR does not mean you don't have MG but a positive one is a very strong indication that you do.