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Hello MG World
Hi! My name is Mary, and I was diagnosed with generalized myasthenia gravis (MG) in June 2025.
About six months before my diagnosis, I began experiencing unusual fatigue, slurred speech, difficulty chewing and swallowing, significant weight loss, and weakness in my facial muscles that made it difficult to smile or express emotion. At the time, I was working in a high-stress healthcare position with 12+ hour shifts that frequently alternated between days and nights. I was also heavily involved in ballroom dancing, taking multiple lessons each week and traveling to competitions on weekends.
Like many people, I assumed I was simply burnt out and overworked. But as time went on, my symptoms felt out of proportion to what should have been normal exhaustion. I spoke with my PCP and established care with a neurologist. Testing ultimately revealed that I was triple-positive for acetylcholine receptor antibodies—binding, blocking, and modulating—confirming the diagnosis of generalized MG.
I started treatment with high-dose steroids and Mestinon and gradually began to improve.
Since my diagnosis, I’ve been learning how to continue living a full and meaningful life while adapting to new limitations. I transitioned to part-time work and continue taking ballroom dance lessons each week. Over time, I’ve learned to recognize the things that trigger my symptoms and do my best to avoid them so I can function at my best.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the value of openness and support. Having honest conversations about my condition and surrounding myself with people who understand has made a tremendous difference. MG can be an invisible illness. People may see you functioning normally on a good day, but they don’t see the hours spent recovering on the couch when your battery is drained, or the extra effort it can take to complete what once felt like routine tasks.
Myasthenia gravis is part of my life, but it is not my identity. I don’t want to be defined by MG. I want to be defined by how I continue to live, adapt, and pursue the things I love despite it. MG may change how I do things, but it won’t stop me from doing them.
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1 Reply
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Hi Mary, welcome to the MG forums!
I’m Sarah, a columnist and moderator here. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us.
I really admire how you’re navigating this new chapter of your life, especially your determination to keep dancing and doing the things you love while learning to adapt to MG. I’m glad you were able to get a diagnosis and start treatment, and I hope you’re finding ways to make this journey a little easier.
What really stood out to me in your introduction was your perspective on MG being part of your life without defining who you are. I think that’s such a meaningful way to approach the challenges that come with this condition, and your words genuinely brought a smile to my face.
I hope you’ll find this community a welcoming space to share your experiences, connect with others, and feel understood. You have so much to contribute, and I’m really looking forward to getting to know you better!
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