My wife’s MG support group calls her their poster girl. It just shows how helpful a support group can be, and ours cares not only for their members, but for caregivers as well.

The official diagnosis of MG by my wife's internist in 1993 was correct, but we had difficulty locating a neurologist who could prescribe a medication regime to benefit her.

Prednisone was first prescribed. While she was adjusting to it, we made a trip to see our son in Japan. All of his friends showed every courtesy and concern to lessen any strain. But climbing stairways from the subway and getting on and off trains was a constant difficulty for my wife.

The report of this experience to her doctor, plus the fact that prednisone caused elevated pressure in her eyes, resulted in a change of medication to Mestinon. Unfortunately, Mestinon seemed to have no effect. But wishful thinking kept her on this prescription far to long. Her symptoms were poor speech (no one could understand her), inability to chew or swallow and general fatigue. She became thin (95 lbs.) and slept a lot. Social functions were a trial to be endured.

While I urged her to report her symptoms more fully to the doctor, we both wondered if we just had to endure the situation. That’s when the support group encouraged us to seek different medical advice. We did, and a positively wonderful response to Imuran therapy was most welcome.

Now when new people join our support group these remarks follow: "This is our poster girl. You should have seen her two years ago." In fact we have a video of a seminar she attended and you can hear her voice. Her slurred speech made it almost impossible to understand her when she asked questions.

So, on her 73^rd birthday (this December ), we are celebrating because she is in remission and does not take any medication.

Editor's note- I have know this couple for five years. Since she began receiving the correct medication, the results have been remarkable. I cannot urge people enough to seek other medical help if they are not getting good results from their medications. (But never change medications on your own.) This story attests to the fact that MG is an illness most of us can live with. Also, sometimes we forget that the caregivers are also part of our struggle with MG. I take my hat off to this couple because they struggled through a very difficult time, and they made it through together.

Marleen Burns