Does anyone know about ocular myasthenia gravis? Does it always progress to further muscular weakness in say, the respiratory muscles eventually?

The past few weeks I have notice a marked increase in weakness in my legs and arms after usage. Like walking while carrying something. It is like I can't make them move anymore. They are so weak that the muscles twitch. I recover after I've rested awhile, depending on how severe the "attack" was. It may take a day or more or just a few hours. So far I have not had trouble swallowing or eating. Is this a progression of the MG or could it be a reaction to a statin medication I started taking a month ago? I also thought it might be an increase in the symptoms of fibromyalgia, which I also have. Can anyone comment?

November 26, 2011 - 6:04pm

As an MG sufferer I can agree with Maryann, although in my case it started more ocular, then more generalised within a about two weeks. I am fortunate now that it has backed off, the ocular is almost non noticable, and the more generalised (breathing, swallowing, walking etc) is still there but in the background. I only notice it now if I do something stupid like overdoing a simple task that I used to do, putting up wall brackets with a screwdriver, I now know to use an electric one.

November 14, 2011 - 6:40am

Thank you so much, Maryann. I truly appreciate your comments. They are very reassuring and informative. I have only been diagnosed for a little under a year, so I guess my future is still up in the air as to whether it will progress or not, but I feel very reassured. Thank you.

November 8, 2011 - 5:56am

I am glad to share some information about myasthenia gravis. Ocular myasthenia gravis is a form of myasthenia gravis (MG) in which the muscles that move the eyes and control the eyelids are easily fatigued and weakened. Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disorder, that involves the muscles and the nerves that control them. It is also classified as a type of autoimmuned disorder. In people with myasthemia gravis, the body produces antibodies that block the muscle cells from receiving messages (neurotransmitters) from the nerve cell. Myasthenia gravis causes weakness of the voluntary (skeletal) muscles. Voluntary muscles are those that are under your control. In other words, you think about moving your arm, and it moves. The muscle weakness of myasthenia gravis worsens with activity and improves with rest. About one in six or seven people with MG (15%) will have only ocular problems or ocular myasthenia gravis. Among the people with MG who have only ocular problems during their first year of illness, about half will go on to develop more generalized muscle weakness. People who have had only ocular MG for five years will probably not develop additional weakness. I must point out that this is general information obtained from the website of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America. Every case is a unique as the diagnosed individual. Please ask your doctor to explain the specifics of your case with you and also, what can you expect in the future. Wishing you well, Maryann November 7, 2011 - 5:36pm

Go to https://lists.asu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=OCULAR and you will get plenty of responses to your question.

November 7, 2011 - 5:16pm