Myasthenia Gravis

We are a specialized, multidisciplinary team focused on providing compassionate and cutting edge care for patients with myasthenia gravis. We are a recognized “Partners in Care” clinic by the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America.

Our services and facilities include:

• Initial consultation or second opinion together with follow-up care as primary managing team or in cooperation with local clinical care teams
• On-site electrodiagnostic testing, including Repetitive Nerve Stimulation (RNS), electromyography (EMG) and single fiber EMG
• Robust clinical research and clinical trial opportunities
• Neuro-ophthalmology, physical therapy, and genetic counseling on site
• Rare antibody testing, muscle biopsy and pathology interpretation
• Therapeutic plasma exchange
• On-site infusion center

Treatment

Our team of experts specialize in what’s needed to care for pediatric and adult neuromuscular disease. We coordinate care tailored to the needs of patients and families.

With treatment, most can expect to lead normal or nearly normal lives. Some cases may go into remission temporarily, and muscle weakness may disappear so medications can be discontinued. In a few cases, the severe weakness of myasthenia gravis may cause respiratory failure, which requires immediate emergency medical care.

Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, general health, and severity of the disease. It may include:

• Medicine—Anticholinesterase medicines, steroids, or medicines that suppress the immune system’s response
• Thymectomy—a surgical removal of the thymus gland
• Plasmapheresis—a procedure that removes abnormal antibodies and replaces the blood with normal antibodies
• Immunoglobulin—a blood product that is given intravenously (by IV) to decrease the immune system’s attack on the nervous system
• Infusions of monoclonal antibody—includes eculizumab and others which are effective for people with the more common form of MG
• Physical therapy