Hysterectomy before MG diagnosis
 

I am noticing a significant number of posts from women who had a hysterectomy shortly before being diagnosed with MG. Just wondering if there is a correlation and if so what. I had a hysterectomy in 2001 and started having issues with MG within that year. Any ideas?
Gabrielle

Hi Gabe,
I'm not sure of any direct correlation between hysterectomy and MG, but I am fairly certain I've read there is a high rate of symptoms emerging after hospital and dental procedures (sorry I don't have the reference). For example, my MG really on-set after I had my wisdom teeth removed. I experienced an anaesthetic-induced crisis in the recovery room and since that point my MG has continued to develop and worsen. Looking back at photos I probably had MG before (my eyes can be a bit droopy etc) but everything was working fairly normally until my surgery. It seems crazy to blame my MG only on the surgery, or the trauma of the crash after, but I think it definitely brought the symptoms out.

I have since had two other surgeries, gall-bladder removed and laproscopic surgery for endometriosis with no complications. My MG is way out of whack at the moment - I'm on 60mg of pred, 60 mg Mestinon every 3 hours, 150 mg Azathiprine and went for my first IVIg treatment a month ago but nothing seems to be helping. My breathing and swallowing are fine though (thank goodness), so the doctors aren't immediately concerned.

Take Care, Kathy

Hi Scots Cat,
It tooks me almost 5 months for my treatment (up to 75 mg/d Pred, 8 x 60 mg/d Mestinon and 2 x 2 g/d of Cellcept to start to act…and now after 6 1/2 months, I'm down to 55 mg Pred, 4 x 60 Mestinon, no change in Cellcept) and in far better condition (Osserman score at 87, the worst at the start of Pred was way down at 30…) so be patient…
As far as the question put by Gabe is concerned, it is well known that surgery is a factor which could trigger MG ( like pregnancy and delivery) but I wonder what would be the mechanism: crisis due to inadequate antibiotic or anesthesic products in case of latent MG or perturbation of antibody immunitary system…?
Maurice.

Hi Gabe,

Your post really caught my eye. I had a hysterectomy(and as part of the surgery, an unplanned appendectomy) in Oct. 2006-after years of battling endometriosis (pain, difficulty w/ preg, multiple surgeries, meds, injections, & so on). Prior to the surgery, I had a colonoscopy. Anyway, at that time, I did not have an MG diagnosis. However, I has my 1st episode in Feb. 2007. This resulted in 4 day hospitalization and an eventual diagnosis og MG. I have asked my neuro & my OBGYN if there is a connection. I have yet to get a definitive answer. It does make me wonder though-especially when people like you have the same question. Clearly there needs to be more research!!!!

By the way, I have also developed some food allergies, and had more issues w/ already exsisting allergies, since my diagnosis. Have you heard of this w/ others diagnosed w/ MG??? Wierd huh?

I wish you peace & good health,
Nancy Lee