Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of Michigan

The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of Michigan is committed to providing support and information to people with myasthenia gravis and their caregivers.

What is Myasthenia Gravis (MG)? Myasthenia Gravis (pronounced My-as-theen-ee-a Grav-us), also know as “MG,” is a serious auto-immune neuromuscular disease that manifests itself by varying degrees of weakness in the body. For unknown reasons, the immune system of MG patients produces antibodies that attack the junction between the nerve and muscle cells. The impulse from a healthy nerve is blocked

or altered by these antibodies so it cannot reach the healthy muscle. This defect, along with a reduction of nerve receptor sites (There is as much as an 80% reduction in the number of these receptor sites with MG), causes fatigue and weakness of the myasthenic’s voluntary muscles. Occurrence
MG can appear in all races and in both sexes from infancy to senior citizen. The prevalence of MG in the United States is estimated to be about 20/100,000 population. However, MG is probably under diagnosed and the prevalence may be higher. Myasthenia Gravis occurs in all races, both genders, and at any age. MG is not thought to be directly inherited nor is it contagious. It does occasionally occur in more than one member of the same family. Our local Great Lakes Chapter of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation, serving the state of Michigan, has approximately 550 patients on the mailing list. We know that more patients are out there either without a diagnosis, unaware of the chapter or choosing to not become a member. Treatment Options

There is no known cure for MG, but there are effective treatments available. Common treatments include medications, thymectomy (removal of the tymus gland) and plasmapheresis. Spontaneous improvement and even remission may occur without specific therapy. Treatment decisions are based on knowledge of the natural history of MG in each patient and the predicted response to a specific form of therapy. Treatment goals are individualized according to the severity of the MG weakness, the patient's age and sex, and the degree of impairment. Please contact our office for more in-depth brochures and information on treatment options. What are the symptoms of MG?
• Involuntary drooping eyelid(s) (ptosis)
• Blurred or double vision (diplopia)
• Slurred speech or nasal voice, usually after prolonged talking
• Difficulty chewing and swallowing
• Loss of facial expression, including the ability to smile
• Weakness in the arms and legs
• Chronic muscle fatigue
• Difficulty breathing

A patient may experience one, or a combination of these symptoms, and the severity varies from patient to patient. This variation has cause MG to be nicknamed the “snowflake” disease because no two patients present the same way or receive treatment in a uniform manner. Initially symptoms can often come and go, making diagnosis difficult. Diagnosis:
• Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody— a blood test for the abnormal antibodies can be performed to see if they are present..
• Anti-MuSK Antibody testing— a blood test for the remaining 15% of MG patients who have tested negative for the acetylcholine antibody.
• OfficeTests—Sleep, Ice Pack and Edrophonium tests are examinations performed by specialists to evaluate an improvement in strength that may be consistent with MG.
• Electromyography— (EMG) studies can provide support for the diagnosis of MG when characteristic patterns are present. Repetitive Nerve Stimulation is used to check for a pattern of response that is characteristic of MG.
• Single Fiber EMG— studies can provide support for the diagnosis of MG when characteristic patterns are present. The single fiber EMG and AChR antibody test are primary tests used to confirm a clinical diagnosis of MG. Sometimes all of these tests are negative or equivocal in someone whose story and examination still seem to point to a diagnosis of MG. A clinician skilled in recognizing MG and distinguishing MG from other conditions would need to determine if such a patient has MG or another disorder. There Is Hope

Due to advances in treatment, the future for a patient with MG is very bright. In some cases, MG may go into remission for a time period when no treatment is necessary. While there is much that can be done, there is still much more to learn to better understand MG. Research is ongoing and will continue until a cure is found.

06/07/2026

MYASTHENIA CRISIS
A myasthenic crisis happens when the respiratory muscles get too weak to move enough air in and out of the lungs. The patient is unable to breathe, and a machine (ventilator) may be needed to help breathe for the patient. Even if a ventilator isn’t needed a patient may be admitted to the hospital in order to prevent a full myasthenic crisis and to keep the patient breathing without a machine. Learn more at: https://mg-mi.org/what-is-myasthenic-crisis/

Our goal is to help you live your best life with MG!

06/06/2026

BiPAP MYTHS BLOWN AWAY
If you, a family member or someone you care for has breathing issues due to myasthenia gravis, you may have been told that a BiPAP cannot be used to assist nighttime breathing. Oakland University Nurse Educator, Sally O’Meara R.N., says that may not be the case. She explodes that myth and more on MG-MI's informational website. Go to the article, BiPap Myths "Blown Away" by clicking https://mg-mi.org/bipap-myths-blown-away

Our goal is to help you live your best life with MG!

06/05/2026

QUARTERLY MACOMB COUNTY REGIONAL SUPPORT GATHERING & SOCIAL
Monday, June 8, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

We invite you to join us for great conversation in an encouraging and supportive setting. Come learn, share, and connect with fellow MG patients and caregivers who understand your journey.

Amazing Grace Lutheran Church
29860 Dequindre Rd
Warren, MI 48092

https://mg-mi.org/event/quarterly-macomb-county-regional-support-gathering-social-2/

06/05/2026

SLEEP APNEA & MG
Sleep and comfortable breathing is a big issue for people with MG. Learn more about that in one of the many videos posted on MG-MI’s YouTube channel. Dr. Christopher Morgan is a neurologist and the Director of Trinity Health Sleep Center. You can find his video on sleep apnea and MG here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2fJKz17VIY

Our goal is to help you live your best life with MG!

06/04/2026

MG SUPPORT GROUPS
One of the most valuable things that MG-MI does is to help organize in-person and virtual support groups around the state. Organized by a local host, often someone with MG, these get-togethers offer people living with MG the opportunity to meet and discuss their condition in a private setting. Often, there is a medical expert or special support person who may speak. Go to https://mg-mi.org/upcoming-events/ to find a group meeting near you. Don’t see one in your community? Let us know! We’ll do our best to get one set up.

Our goal is to help you live your best life with MG!

06/03/2026

MG-MI VIRTUAL TOOLBOX
MG-MI’s first mission is to provide information and resources to Michigan MG patients so they can “Live Their Best Lives with MG!” That’s why we added some new features to our website, including a list of helpful “tools” at https://mg-mi.org/living-with-mg/mg-toolbox/ .

There you will find an ever-growing list of resources for you to download.

-Current Treatment Chart
-MG ADL Form
-List of Helpful Resources
-MG Brochures
-And More!

Check back often as we continue to add more useful resources.

https://MG-MI.org

06/02/2026

UNDERSTANDING MYASTHENIA GRAVIS
The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of Michigan (MG-MI) was founded in 1976 to raise awareness about MG and provide resources and support to persons living with MG and their caregivers. While our focus is on helping those in Michigan, our website is accessed by people all over the world looking for resources and information about MG. You can learn more about MG by going to https://mg-mi.org/

Or download a free brochure right now athttps://mg-mi.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MGMI-brochure-2023.pdf

Our goal is to help you live your best life with MG!

06/02/2026

IT'S TODAY! VIRTUAL SUPPORT MEETING 6:30 - 7:30

Amgen medical director Blanca Canales discusses MG treatments during this virtual presentation. To register for this event and get more information, visit https://mg-mi.org/event/tuesday-june-2/

Our goal is to help you live your best life with MG!

06/01/2026

WHAT IS MG?

This is the first day of Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month. Follow MG-MI’s posts all month long and learn more about MG and how our organization helps patients and caregivers in Michigan.

Myasthenia Gravis (pronounced My-as-theen-ee-a Grav-us), also known as “MG,” is a serious auto-immune neuromuscular disease that manifests itself by varying degrees of weakness in the body. Find out more at https://mg-mi.org/living-with-mg/about-myasthenia-gravis/

Our goal is to help you live your best life with MG!

Photos from Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of Michigan's post

05/31/2026

Myasthenia gravis patients, caretakers and others interested in the neuromuscular autoimmune disease met in Kalamazoo Saturday, May 30 for the MG-MI regional Health Summit and Resource Fair. In-person and virtual attendees got tips on how to live more easily with MG, focusing on energy conservation, exercise, diet and emotional health. Sponsors were also present to answer questions about MG treatments and services.

Speakers included:
Michelle L. Crooks, MD and April Davenport, LMSW, CDP, who talked about living with a chronic condition.

Olivia Buckhout, MS, CCC-SLP and Dr. Laura Lenkey, PhD, CCC-SLP spoke on the importance of speech and language pathology services for MG patients especially surrounding issues of swallowing and speech conservation.

A Patient Panel, hosted by MG-MI’s Lisa Gigliotti and featuring Brandie DeHaan, Wallace Fu & Lynn Huls, presented a personal profile of MG. Panelists shared their stories and answered questions from in-person and virtual attendees.

Wrapping up, Susan Woolner, CPXP discussed a new program in the works at MG-MI called “Fueling the Care” which will be a comprehensive service for MG patients focusing on wellness, access to care and identifying appropriate resources on an individual basis.

MG-MI would like to extend its sincere thanks to its sponsors who make programs such as the regional health summit possible.
Platinum sponsors: Alexion, Amgen, and argenx. Gold sponsors: Johnson & Johnson, UBS and Vor.

Saturday’s presentations have been recorded and will be available for viewing soon at the MG Video Library at mg-mi.org.

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Location

Grand Rapids

Telephone

+16169560622

Website

http://www.mg-mi.org/

Address

2660 Horizon Drive, Suite 235
Grand Rapids, MI
49546

Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of Michigan

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