Over the last few months, I’ve noticed a swelling in my neck. At first, I thought it was just fat creating a turkey neck under my chin, but it seemed to be asymmetrical from side to side. Thymomas can be a concern for people with Myasthenia Gravis, so I thought it would be best if I had it checked out. I went to the doctor and he ordered an ultrasound. The ultrasound came back normal. It seems age and the few pounds I’ve put on lately are trying to tell me to get in better shape. I go to the gym, but maybe it’s time to up my exercise regimen as I’ve gained instead of lost a few pounds.
In any event, I thought I should spend a little time talking about some of the conditions of which someone with MG should remain aware. Yes, MG can be associated with, or increase the risk for, certain other conditions primarily during to its autoimmune nature and the effects of long-term treatment.
People with MG are at a higher risk for other autoimmune disorders, including:
- Thyroid Disorders – including Hyperthyroidism (often due to Grave’s disease) or Hypothyroidism (like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis – chronic joint inflammation
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus – a multisystem autoimmune condition that can affect skin, joints, kidneys and more
- Pernicious Anemia – caused by autoimmune destruction of stomach cells, leading to B12 deficiency
- Type 1 Diabetes – especially in individuals with multiple autoimmune syndromes
- Thymus Gland Abnormalities – like thymomas (tumor of the thymus) or thymic hyperplasia (enlargement or overactivity of the thymus)
In addition to these autoimmune disorders, there can also be treatment-related complications due to long-term use of MG medications, especially steroids or immunosuppressants. Treatment-related complications can include:
- Osteoporosis
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Diabetes
- Increased infection risk
- Cataracts or glaucoma
And then, of course, we have the psychological effects of having MG. Chronic illnesses and constant fatigue can lead to depression or anxiety in some individuals. It’s good to know that cognitive function is not directly affected by MG, but be aware that fatigue, brain fog, and emotional stress may interfere with concentration.
I hope I didn’t depress you with this information. That certainly wasn’t my intent. I simply wanted you to be aware of some of the symptoms or conditions which could occur. Don’t assume any little change in your condition means a progression but be aware of changes and share them with your doctor. While we don’t want to be running to our doctors with every little thing, if something is going on in your body that’s different than normal, it’s probably a good idea to share that with your doctor so they can decide if it needs to be pursued.
Truth be told, I’m not the best at going to my doctor when I detect things that are abnormal. I usually sit on them until my next appointment. In this particular case, I became a little concerned when the swelling was asymmetrical and I had difficulty buttoning the top button on a shirt. The ultrasound resulted in good news that it really wasn’t anything to worry about.
Now for the bad news: This turkey neck means it’s time for me to buckle down on exercising a little more and eating a little less. Goodbye planned desserts. I will miss you the most!