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When living with a rare disorder like generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), it’s easy to feel like you don’t have many treatment options. Although there’s not a cure yet for gMG, the good news is that researchers are finding new ways to treat this chronic condition. There are more options than ever to help manage symptoms like muscle weakness and double vision.1,2
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several new gMG treatments in recent years.1 Learning more about new treatments can help you talk with your healthcare provider about your options. In this article, we’ll cover three important facts about new treatments for gMG.
Your immune system defends your body from harmful substances that can make you sick.3 In gMG, some parts of the immune system don’t work right. They mistakenly attack parts of your body and make it hard for your nerves to communicate with your muscles.2
Most older treatments for MG work by blocking your whole immune system to prevent attacks.2
Most older treatments for MG work by blocking your whole immune system to prevent attacks.2 Newer gMG treatments work in different ways. Many treatments target specific parts of the immune system that cause gMG symptoms.2,4,5
Some newer gMG treatments are injected subcutaneously, or under the skin. Others are injected into the vein by a doctor or nurse. This is known as an intravenous infusion.4,6-9 If you take a newer treatment option, your healthcare provider will first explain what will happen. They’ll also give you tips on how to make yourself more comfortable while you get the treatment.
Some treatments may work in one person with gMG but not in another.1 It’s important to stay in touch with your healthcare provider about your gMG symptoms. If your symptoms don’t improve, you can ask whether there are any other options that may work better for you.
If you have gMG with anti-muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) antibodies, your healthcare provider may recommend specific treatments that are most likely to be effective for this type of gMG.10
Read more about anti-MuSK antibody-positive gMG.
You and your healthcare provider can work together to decide on a treatment plan. Be open with your doctor about your goals and preferences. Let them know how gMG symptoms affect your daily life. Your doctor can explain details about the pros and cons of different treatments.
MGteam is the social network for people with myasthenia gravis and their loved ones. On MGteam, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with generalized myasthenia gravis.
Have you talked to your doctor about new treatment options for your gMG? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.
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US-DA-2400249 Date of Preparation: September 2024
Kelly Crumrin
is a senior editor at MyHealthTeam and leads the creation of content that educates and empowers people with chronic illnesses.
Learn more about her here.
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