Descriptive diagram of the MG process

Visualizing medical history of patient with Myasthenia Gravis

SOMETIME WE MUST ENCOURAGE OURSELVES

Hello friends time to share. Well most recently i have begun to encourage myself. I know what you are saying. Weren't you encouraging your self before today? Well the answer to that is yes. If encouraging myself is getting up every morning. Clothing myself,cooking and taking every opportunity to simulate the life I had prior to MG. Now I have adopted the practice of verbally encouraging my self out loud. I call myself by name and encourage my self to get up and complete a project after resting. Or I  will tell my self I can do it. If maybe a little easier to do for me, since there is no one here to hear me talk to myself. It sounds a little off the wall I know. But It seems to keep me focused and directed. Because I love myself the encouraging push is soft and caring.....JUST A LITTLE SHARING.

In January of 2013 I will have blogged about Myasthenia Gravis for One year. And just to day some one reached out to me to ask a question about one of my articles. Wow, it meant  a lot to me too know people see my blog. I feel energized  in getting my message out. It appears that no matter what electronic gadgets we have social or otherwise. Nothing beats the human touch. That simple email I received has made a big difference in my blogging frequency. Because I have not been writing with the same drive as I previously have. With that said I can catch you up a little.  My fight now is with my therapy for my shoulder pain. Which I shared with you in October. It is another symptom I am wading through. But my Myasthenia remains stable.

Discovery of Physostigmine

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

An English physiologist by the name of Thomas Willis is credited with clinically describing myasthenia gravis in 1672. Doctors Samuel Goldflam, Wilhelm Erb, and Friedrich Jolly from Germany are responsible for fully describing myasthenia gravis in 1890. In 1934, Dr. Mary Walker of London conducted a successful trial of physostigmine in a patient with myasthenia gravis. Dr. Walker discovered that a subcutaneous injection of physostigmine temporarily restored muscle function in a patient with myasthenia gravis. At that time, physostigmine was used as an antidote for curare poisoning.

Frozen Shoulder

 I had been experiencing some shoulder pain over the last couple of months. It has limited my mobility some what, Well I finally mentioned it to my doctor. After I described the pain to her and completing physical exam. She diagnosed Frozen Shoulder. Pain med was given and I was referred to P.T.( Physical Therapy) It actually was a relief to know it was just not par for the course as a patient with Myasthenia. After further reading I discovered that my long stay in ICU could have contributed. There you have it mystery solved.

Definition
Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder. Over time, the shoulder becomes very hard to move.
Frozen shoulder occurs in about 2% of the general population. It most commonly affects people between the ages of 40 and 60, and occurs in women more often than me

 Cause
The causes of frozen shoulder are not fully understood. There is no clear connection to arm dominance or occupation. A few factors may put you more at risk for developing frozen shoulder.
Diabetes. Frozen shoulder occurs much more often in people with diabetes, affecting 10% to 20% of these individuals. The reason for this is not known.
Other diseases. Some additional medical problems associated with frozen shoulder include hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Parkinson's disease, and cardiac disease.
Immobilization. Frozen shoulder can develop after a shoulder has been immobilized for a period of time due to surgery, a fracture, or other injury. Having patients move their shoulders soon after injury or surgery is one measure prescribed to prevent frozen shoulder.

SC Lowcountry Myasthenia Gravis Support Group

SC Lowcountry Myasthenia Gravis Support Group

We will have a guest speaker at our meeting this coming Saturday October 20th. And, we will be going a little afield from our MG affliction and learning something about some of the local culture.
Cynthia Holl Porcher, one of our supporting members, will talk to us about her new book, The Gullah and Geechee People: The Long Road from 17th Century Africa to 21st Century America. This book, to be published in the near future, is the culmination of a 10-year project by Cynthia researching this fascinating culture which we see every day but about which we know so little. This is a special treat and I encourage all of you to come.

 

meeting is next Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in the conference room on the first floor of the East Cooper Medical Center.

THE SMALL THINGS

To day I reflect back to my date of diagnoses. And the trauma I went through after surgery. My recovery period out of ICU.And my rehab once I returned Home. The thought that came to my mind today. I remember trying to find some form of normalcy during rehab. One of the things I did for relaxation was playing bejeweled on Facebook. I played on weekends and after work for relaxation. I attempted to do so after diagnoses. But my reflexes were slow and my hand eye coordination was not there. But a silly grin just came over my face today because I just scored 400+ in bejeweled. And to me that signals I am making it around to full circle . Some time IT IS the little things!

Myasthenia Gravis...My Life changing Event

Opening Doors for discussion about Myasthenia Gravis...My Life changing Event

I KNOW I HAVE BEEN MISSING. BEEN OUT LIVING LIFE!

Homeopathy Treatment for Myasthenia gravis

Homeopathy has effective treatment for Myasthenia Gravis. Properly selected homeopathic remedy gives a long term relief from all symptoms of the patient.
The homeopathic medicines are selected after a full individualizing examination and case-analysis, which includes the medical history of the patient, physical and mental constitution, family history, presenting symptoms, underlying pathology, possible causative factors etc. A miasmatic tendency (predisposition/susceptibility) is also often taken into account for the treatment of chronic conditions.
The focus is not on curing the disease but to cure the person who is sick, to restore the health. If a disease pathology is not very advanced, homeopathy remedies do give a hope for cure but even in incurable cases, the quality of life can be greatly improved with homeopathic medicines.

Homeopathy has shown its efficacy in reducing the frequency of relapses and improving the power and tone of muscles.The role of homeopathy is more as long term control, rather than for acute crisis control.

Associated disorders

Disorders of the thymus: thymoma, hyperplasia
Other autoimmune disorders: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves’ disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, skin disorders, family history of autoimmune disorder
Disorders or circumstances that may exacerbate myasthenia gravis: hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, occult infection, medical treatment for other conditions
Disorders that may interfere with therapy: tuberculosis, diabetes, peptic ulcer, gastrointestinal bleeding, renal disease, hypertension, asthma, osteoporosis, obesity

Clinical features

The distribution of muscle weakness often has a characteristic pattern.
The cranial muscles, particularly the lids and extraocular muscles, are often involved early in the course of MG, and diplopia and ptosis are common initial complaints.
Facial weakness produces a “snarling” expression when the patient attempts to smile.
Weakness in chewing is most noticeable after prolonged effort, as in chewing meat.
Speech may have a nasal timbre caused by weakness of the palate or a dysarthric “mushy” quality due to tongue weakness.
Difficulty in swallowing may occur as a result of weakness of the palate, tongue, or pharynx, giving rise to nasal regurgitation or aspiration of liquids or food.
In approximately 85% of patients, the weakness becomes generalized, affecting the limb muscles as well.
If weakness remains restricted to the extra ocular muscles for 3 years, it is likely that it will not become generalized, and these patients are said to have ocular MG.
The limb weakness in MG is often proximal and may be asymmetric.
Despite the muscle weakness, deep tendon reflexes are preserved.
If weakness of respiration becomes so severe as to require respiratory assistance, the patient is said to be in crisis.

Grades of MG:

■ Grade 1: Only ocular disease
■ Grade 2A: Mild generalized weakness
■ Grade 2B: Moderate generalized weakness
■ Grade 3: Severe generalized weakness
■ Grade 4: Myasthenia crisis

Autoimmune disorders impact primarily women

August 23, 2012 8:00 am  •  By Jane Ammeson

The term autoimmune disorder is, in ways, a giant grab bag of diseases, some rare and often unheard-of to all but those who suffer from them. After all, names like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Myasthenia gravis and Sjögren’s syndrome aren't everyday terms. Others—such as Type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus—are much better known and much more common. Though there are more than 80 autoimmune disorders, individually many of them occur infrequently. But grouped together, autoimmune diseases—caused when our body mistakes our own cells for foreign invaders such as viruses, germs and antigens and goes on the attack—impact 23.5 million Americans.
They are also the fourth leading cause of disability among women as well as one of the leading causes of death, particularly among young and middle-aged women.
“What many people don’t know is that typically 80 to 90 percent of people with autoimmune diseases like lupus are women,” says Jan Ferris, chief executive officer of the Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana Chapter. “And typically the diagnosis happens most often between the ages of 15 and 44 years old."

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Nutritional supplements

- 

• A good multivitamin multimineral makes sure the tissues have all the nutrients they need.  Many prople with MG find eating difficult so a good multi is essential. Minerals like manganese, the B and C vitamins ( Japanese prisoners in the war developed MG simply because of starvation of vitamins), 
• CoEnzyme Q10 is essential for energy transfer inside the cells and can be beneficial in people with muscle and other fatigue symptoms.  The dose needs to be at least 100mg per day of quality Q10. 
• Calcium and magnesium are essential for nerve and muscle function so a good intake, especially of magensium (500mg/day) seems wise.
• Vitamin D is becoming increasingly appreciated in patients with immune diseases.  peple with MG have lower vitamin D levels (click here) , thus it is wise for anyone with an immune disease especially MG to take plenty of vitamin D 8000 - 10,000iu daily. 
• Fish oils are helpful for nerve structure and function, and may be helpful, but make sure they are pure oils with no toxins or mercury.

What you can we do

• Exercise is a 2 edged sword, it can lead to exhaustion if overdone, but regular gentle exercise is beneficial forthe muscles and general welbeing.   Listen to your body
• Food - watch what you eat and see if anything consistently worsens the MG symptoms.  Milk and milk products may do this.   But if foods do not affect your symptoms, and you enjoy them, then by all means eat them, despite what some web site says. 
• Eat foods rich in potassium as this may help muscle function - bananas and fruits, fish and poultry. 
• Alcohol in moderation should not cause any problems, but if you feel worse dont, but never more tan a glass or two. 
• Coffee among other things has a mild anticholinesterase activity like Mestanon.  This could make you feel better and stronger, but could also increase some of the mestanon side effects (cramping and diarrhoea). Like most things it is trial and error with MG, if it helps and you like it have some coffee, if you feel worse stop.
• Avoid STATIN drugs - these can make the symptoms much worse

Tips For Dressing

If getting ready to face a new day wears you out, try these ideas:

• Choose an easy-to-manage hairstyle. Skip the blow-drying, if possible.
• Try an electric toothbrush.
• Avoid hot baths and hot showers.
• Sit to brush your teeth, blow dry your hair, or shave.
• Get ready in stages.
• Choose lightweight, comfortable shoes—ones that are easy to put on, and help you keep your balance.

Unless otherwise stated, the information provided here is of a general nature, composed by non-medical personnel. It is meant to be accurate and helpful advice for MG patients. It is not intended to be medical opinion, nor is it a substitute for personal professional medical car

Factors That Worsen MG

Some factors can make myasthenia worse:

Fatigue, insufficient sleep Stress, anxiety Illness Overexertion, repetitive motion Pain Sudden fear, extreme anger Depression Extreme temperatures (hot or cold weather, hot showers or baths, sunbathing, saunas, hot tubs) Humidity Sunlight or bright lights (affects eyes)

Hot foods or beverages (affects mouth and throat) Some medications, including beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and some antibiotics Alcoholic beverages Quinine or tonic water Low potassium levels or low thyroid levels Some chemicals, including some household cleaners, insecticides and pet flea sprays Exposure to chemical lawn treatments

MG

Helpful Tools

When your MG is active, these items might be helpful:

Getting Around

• A lightweight cane can offer support.
• Use a city shopping cart or wheeled luggage cart for shopping at the mall. You can use it to bring things to and from the car, also.
• A handicapped parking sticker, decal or license plate makes your walk shorter when doing errands.
• Use the shopping scooters available at the grocery store.
• Consider a chair lift if your stairs keep you from getting around the house independently.

In the Kitchen

• Electric appliances such as an electric can opener and electric mixer can conserve your energy.
• Put the things you need within easy reach. Avoid getting down on the floor or up on a ladder to get what you want.
• Choose the medium or small containers at the store. Avoid the discount sizes that are too heavy to lift.
• Lightweight plastic dishes and lightweight silverware are surprisingly helpful.

In the Bathroom

• Install secured grab bars in the shower and bath. Not sure where to put them? Area building codes might give you guidance.
• Use a plastic shower chair. Check second-hand resale stores to reduce costs.
• Try a flexible hose attachment for the shower head, so you can sit while washing.
• Use railings for the toilet. Some attach to the toilet itself and can be used temporarily.

For Yourself

• A properly-fitted removable cervical collar can support your neck, for instance when you write, use the computer, prepare dinner or pay bills.
• Tape up your eyelids. Your eye doctor may have light-adhesive tape that temporarily keeps your eyelids from drooping. Or try silk tape that’s used in hospitals.
• If your breathing is weak, your doctor may prescribe the use of a C-PAP (or Bi-PAP) machine. While you wear a mask, the C-PAP forces regulated puffs of air into your lungs, giving your breathing muscles a break. You can sleep with the C-PAP, and use it as needed throughout the day.

Unless otherwise stated, the information provided here is of a general nature, composed by non-medical personnel. It is meant to be accurate and helpful advice for MG patients. It is not intended to be medical opinion, nor is it a substitute for personal professional medical care.

Set Your Own Pace

Physical stress and emotional stress can worsen MG symptoms. With this in mind:

• Don’t rush. If you’re going to be late, what the heck? Be late.
• Learn to ask for help when you need it. Be direct and specific. ("I need a ride on Tuesday at 10 a.m." "Please don’t hold my arm; I’d rather hold onto you.")
• Get plenty of rest. You may need more sleep compared to pre-MG times.
• Build naps into your day without guilt.
• Rest your eyes regularly while reading or working on the computer.
• Learn what triggers your myasthenia. Can you avoid it? Can you rest before or after?
• Learn strategies to handle stress—for instance, special breathing or imaging techniques.
• Don’t give up the things you love—yet. If myasthenia gravis is forcing you to stop gardening, golfing, biking, or whatever—it may be temporary. For example, can you focus on several planters instead of a larger garden?
• And hey, tomorrow is another day.

Unless otherwise stated, the information provided here is of a general nature, composed by non-medical personnel. It is meant to be accurate and helpful advice for MG patients. It is not intended to be medical opinion, nor is it a substitute for personal professional medical care.

Outlook

Do you see a glass half full? Half empty? Or simply holding four ounces?

For the most part, MG won’t change your unique view of the world. Still, when you see life through the prism of illness, that view can be altered by your attitude. When facing illness, can you be positive? Can you feel hope, gratitude and humor? Sometimes we have to intentionally choose and practice a positive attitude.

A positive attitude helps you get through each day, manage your worries, and maintain relationships. With or without MG symptoms, it allows you to feel better mentally.

You can improve your positive thinking, even if it doesn’t come naturally. Try these steps:

• Practice. Can you think of something you appreciate right now?
• Put it in your daily schedule. Express something positive when you brush your teeth, at mealtime, or before you sleep.
• Hang out with optimistic people. If a group conversation turns petty or whiny, maybe it’s time to excuse yourself.
• Research. Try the library or a book store for books that discuss how to live with illness. To get started, read Hoping, Coping & Moping, Handling Life When Illness Makes It Tough by Ronna Jevne, Ph.D.

Purposefully insert positive thoughts and affirmations into your day.

Unless otherwise stated, the information provided here is of a general nature, composed by non-medical personnel. It is meant to be accurate and helpful advice for MG patients. It is not intended to be medical opinion, nor is it a substitute for personal professional medical care.

Supplemental Therapies

Myasthenia gravis can be fought with traditional medicine. But how else can you take a measure of control over your illness?

• Eat healthy. Good advice for everyone, right? Does your medication increase your appetite, or causes fluid retention, bone loss, or anemia? Ask your doctor if you should adjust your diet to ease medication side effects.
• Exercise. Naturally you have to tailor your activity to your illness. Consider yoga, chair exercise, isometrics, or taking a walk.
• Manage stress. Consult with your doctor and consider options such as acupuncture, biofeedback, meditation or massage therapy.
• Talk to others. Combat isolation by calling friends and family. Or contact a support group.
• Trust your spiritual side. For many, dealing with illness can be a conversation-starter with God.

Unless otherwise stated, the information provided here is of a general nature, composed by non-medical personnel. It is meant to be accurate and helpful advice for MG patients. It is not intended to be medical opinion, nor is it a substitute for personal professional medical care.

 

Depression

Many people who are diagnosed with a threatening medical condition can develop depression. Depression is very real and can be debilitating. It can keep you from reaching out for help when you need it most.

Symptoms may include a lack of joy, magnified sadness, feelings of emptiness or isolation, persistent pessimism, loss of interest in daily life, difficulty making decisions, loss of appetite, sleep disturbances – being unable to sleep or sleeping too much, gloominess or thoughts of suicide.

Because the mind and body are so closely connected, depression can make your myasthenia gravis worse. Working to overcome depression is essential to improve your overall health. If possible, seek help from a trusted, competent therapist.

Myasthenics face a catch-22: many antidepressant medications can worsen MG, or may not be effective. If you see a mental health professional, make sure that person knows your full medical history.

Unless otherwise stated, the information provided here is of a general nature, composed by non-medical personnel. It is meant to be accurate and helpful advice for MG patients. It is not intended to be medical opinion, nor is it a substitute for personal professional medical care.

Safety At Home

Use your good judgment:

• If you feel weak or unsteady, let someone else change the light bulbs. Skip the shower, and opt for sponge baths.
• If you live alone and feel very weak, ask someone to check in on you.
• Do what you can to avoid falls. Put away throw rugs. Keep walkways and stairs clear. Clean up spills promptly. Don’t wax floors.
• In the event of a power outage, keep a flashlight handy. Also keep a working telephone available.
• Pay attention to the expiration dates of your medication. Throw out old medications.

Unless otherwise stated, the information provided here is of a general nature, composed by non-medical personnel. It is meant to be accurate and helpful advice for MG patients. It is not intended to be medical opinion, nor is it a substitute for personal professional medical care.

Physiotherapy treatment of Myasthenia Gravis

Build and maintain your muscular strength
Utilise warm up effects to reduce the impact of Myasthenia Gravis
Develop strategies for effective management of your condition specific to your individual needs
Decrease your risk of falling
Enhance your ability to function daily
initial appointment will involve an assessment with to review current mobility, movement that at each of joints, coordination, balance and strength. physio will also assess your capabilities with functional tasks like walking, standing, sitting and lying and how you cope manoeuvring into each position. The outcome of this initial review will then be discussed between you and your physiotherapist and some main goals will be set for you. You will then follow a programme of clinic or home treatment with your physiotherapist along with some home activities to help with your progression. The activities you complete with your physiotherapist may focus on:


Muscle strengthening
Joint flexibility / range
Completion of functional tasks and maintenance of independence
Balance
Smoothness and coordination of activities


Dr.Avinash Saini

REST

"COME TO ME, ALL YE THAT LABOR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST. TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU, AND LEARN OF ME.....AND YE SHALL FIND REST UNTO YOUR SOULS" (MATTHEW 11:28,29)

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PLASMAPHERESIS

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease. Under normal circumstances, the body’s immune system protects against infection from invading bacteria and viruses. In MG, the immune system produces antibodies that become overactive and cause undesirable effects. These antibodies, called acetylcholine receptor antibodies (AChR), destroy or block certain receptor sites, resulting in muscle weakness. During plasmapheresis (also called  plasma exchange), these abnormal antibodies are removed from the bloodstream.



Plasmapheresis is a procedure in which blood is separated into cells and plasma (liquid). The plasma is removed and replaced with fresh frozen plasma, a blood product called albumin
and/or a plasma substitute. The procedure is often referred to as plasma exchange.

Jewelry by Cash Modeled by my equally Beautiful younger Daughter Erin

By Jewelry by La Cash

Jewelry by Cash as Modeled by my Beautiful daughter Shade'

Wishing her a Happy Birthday Today!!!!!

WISHING MY TWINS GIRLS A HAPPY 29TH BIRTHDAY!

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My first Showcase is scheduled for today. Wish me Luck.

Genes related to myasthenia gravis

Researchers believe that variations in particular genes may increase the risk of myasthenia gravis, but the identity of these genes is unknown. Many factors likely contribute to the risk of developing this complex disorder.
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder, which occurs when the immune system malfunctions and attacks the body's own tissues and organs. In myasthenia gravis, the immune system disrupts the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles by producing a protein called an antibody that attaches (binds) to proteins important for nerve signal transmission. Antibodies normally bind to specific foreign particles and germs, marking them for destruction, but the antibody in myasthenia gravis attacks a normal human protein. In most affected individuals, the antibody targets a protein called acetylcholine receptor (AChR); in others, the antibodies attack a related protein called muscle-specific kinase (MuSK). In both cases, the abnormal antibodies lead to a reduction of available AChR.
The AChR protein is critical for signaling between nerve and muscle cells, which is necessary for movement. In myasthenia gravis, because of the abnormal immune response, less AChR is present, which reduces signaling between nerve and muscle cells. These signaling abnormalities lead to decreased muscle movement and the muscle weakness characteristic of this condition.
It is unclear why the immune system malfunctions in people with myasthenia gravis. About 75 percent of affected individuals have an abnormally large and overactive thymus, which is a gland located behind the breastbone that plays an important role in the immune system. The thymus sometimes develops tumors (thymomas) that are usually noncancerous (benign). However, the relationship between the thymus problems and the specific immune system malfunction that occurs in myasthenia gravis is not well understood.
People with myasthenia gravis are at increased risk of developing other autoimmune disorders, including autoimmune thyroid disease and systemic lupus erythematosus. Gene variations that affect immune system function likely affect the risk of developing myasthenia gravis and other autoimmune disorders.
Some families are affected by an inherited disorder with symptoms similar to those of myasthenia gravis, but in which antibodies to the AChR or MuSK proteins are not present. This condition, which is not an autoimmune disorder, is called congenital myasthenic syndrome

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Watch Your Meds

Medication errors are rising-but these simple steps can help keep you safe
 BY BETH HOWARD
Changes at Discharge :

PREVENTION: When you leave the hospital, ask how your drug regimen is changing and why you're receiving any new medicines, Unroe advises. And be sure to take your discharge papers- including your new drug list-to your next appointment with your primary care physician. _
 




 Be Drug-Savvy:

• Know every medication you take and why you take it-a surprising number of
people don't, says pharmacy specialist Todd Semla, Pharm.D.
• Buy your drugs from a single pharmacy. Most have computer programs that
catch potentially dangerous drug interactions, which can result when you get
prescriptions from different doctors.
• Develop an ongoing relationship with an individual pharmacist who will look
out for your safety. Start by scheduling a "brown bag" appointment, to which
you bring every over-the-counter and prescription medicine you take. This helps
identify negative side effects and any overlapping therapies. -B.H.

VOLUNTEER WORK

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“I have returned to my hometown of Charleston to promote and advocate my long-standing commitment to the youth”. The foundation addresses the needs of today’s youth by developing enrichment programs designed to build self-esteem, promote education, increase fitness and health awareness, as well as foster young leaders to be productive in the community.

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With one of the beautiful modeling volunteers

Watch your Meds.

Medication errors are rising-but these simple steps can help keep you safe
 BY BETH HOWARD

 Hospital Admission Errors:

 PREVENTION: Prepare a detailed list of prescription drugs-including doses, as well as any over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements you regularly take-and keep it with you at all times. ''You never leave home. without your driver's license and insurance card," Gleason says. ''Your medication list is just as important."
(You can keep track of all your prescription and over-the-counter medications with the AARP Health Record at aarp.org/healthrecord.)

Watch Your Meds

Medication errors are rising-but these simple steps can help keep you safe 
BY BETH HOWARD

 Swamped Stores:

PREVENTION: Fill your prescriptions when the pharmacy isn't at its busiest,Conry advises. "Ask the pharmacy what the best time is," she says. Or use the drugstore's automated refill system, allowing the staff plenty of time to process your prescription. And try to avoid filling a prescription the first week of the month. Deaths due to medication errors rise 25 percent above normal early in the month, researchers at the University of California at San Diego found. Study author David P. Phillips, Ph.D., a UCSD sociologist, believes this is because people tend to fill their prescriptions not long after receiving Social Security and other government-assistance checks, and the sheer number of prescriptions filled then is greatest.

Watch Your Meds

Medication errors are rising-but these simple steps can help keep you safe 
BY BETH HOWARD

Pharmacy Foul-ups:

PREVENTION: One review of prescription  of errors found that 89 percent of reported mistakes were discovered during medication counseling offered at the drug counter and were corrected before patients left the store. So don't waive your right to such counseling, Conry says. Instead take the time to review your prescription with the pharmacist, look at the dosage and confirm that this is what you discussed with your doctor especially if it's a new prescription. If you're refilling a prescription, open the container before you leave the store and make sure it's the same pill you usually take. Medications can differ from refill to refill; the pharmacy may have switched to a generic that is a different color or shape but contains the same active ingredient. ''You have a right to ask the pharmacist if it's the right drug for your condition," says Frank Federico, RPh., vice chair of the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention, an independent body of  nearly 30 member organizations that promotes the reporting and prevention of medication errors.

Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG)

With IVIG, a patient receives high dose immune globulin intravenously. Immune globulin is a human blood product pooled from multiple donors who are carefully screened. By providing the body with normal antibodies from donated blood, IVIG treatments appear to temporarily modify the immune system. For most individuals, MG weakness typically improves within a week of treatment and lasts for several weeks or months. IVIG treatments are very expensive and offer short-term relief from MG symptoms.

Side effects—for instance, headache or allergic symptoms--are usually related to how fast the drug is administered.

Can Myasthenia gravis cause a sudden collapse?

Posted on July 3, 2012

In response. YES !!! YES !!! YES !!!
Sudden collapse is the most pronounced symptom of Myasthenia gravis. A severe case of Myasthenia gravis is marked by a sudden collapse due to extremely sudden weakness of all the muscles in the body, from the eyelids to the chest, to the arms, to the body, to the legs. Such extreme sudden weakness will cause total muscular collapse every 20 minutes.
It takes about 8 to 10 minutes to drive from San Bruno, California, to the San Francisco International Airport. Someone with Myasthenia gravis has enough strength only to drive to the airport but will not be able to drive back to San Bruno. One has to rest in the car on the side of the road for at least 15 minutes for the muscle strength to recover.
Walking in a shopping mall is very frightening for someone with Myasthenia gravis because every 15 to 20 minutes the person will feel that he or she is going to collapse completely onto the floor. The person cannot even shuffle his or her way along. The distance between the seats in a shapping mall are too far apart for anyone with Myasthenia gravis to even reach by walking.

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TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY AND I HAVE SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL  . HERE'S TO ME

TRUST IN DIVINE POWER

IN ORDER TO HAVE PERFECT HEALTH,OUR HEARTS MUST BE FILLED WITH LOVE AND HOPE AND JOY IN THE LORD..E.G. WHITE

Famous people diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis

 Phil Silver (May 11,1911-November 1, 1985)
Comedian, Actor. He is best remembered for his classic role of ‘Master Sergeant Ernest G. Bilko’, in the television series, "You'll Never Get Rich," later changed to "The Phil Silvers Show" (1954 to 1959). Born Philip Silversmith in New York City, he started in show business as a child actor in vaudeville, and by 1934, he was working in Minsky's Burlesque, where he trained in comic routines and perfected his timing. Eventually, he was brought to Hollywood, and in a classic Phil Silvers comedy routine, he relates that they didn't know what to do with him, so the Hollywood moguls have him test for a role of vicar in "Pride and Prejudice".

He suffered a Heart as cause of death.

Reality Check-Up

Since diagnosed I try very hard to simulate a life unaffected by Myasthenia. But there are times, that no matter how you look it's humbling. One of those time for me is when I have to get my blood work done. I suffer from lack of veins syndrome. And when blood work is needed it becomes a big ordeal for me and my arms. I in the last month and 1/2 have suffered through Shingles and Pneumonia. And my one  arm shows a tract road map of the blood work places. The Doctor appointment went well, with a 3-month follow-up. Now that I am done with my most recent reality check I will rest. And wait for the next reality check in three months. For me it is most appropriate to call it that instead of Doctors appointment.

LA CASH PRODUCTIONS PRESENT:

The is a platform for Christian Artist to perform and connect with like minds. A merger of writers, entertainers, as well as musicians. All networking to further the Kingdom of God. Come out every third Friday as we take christian entertainment t in South Carolina to the next level.

If you are interested in showcasing your talent or making an presentation at our nest gathering.

Contact us at lacashproductions@gmail.com

And remember "FOR WHERE TWO OR THREE ARE GATHERED...."Matt. 18-20

THIS EVENT IS FREE

Friday, July 20, 2012

7:00pm until 9:00pm

Olde Village Community Center 4820 Jenkins Ave. North Charleston SC

Prostigmin Fights Myasthenia Gravis

Treatment for  myasthenia gravis is available with prescription drug Prostigmin (Neostigmin). It works by helping to improve the transmission of your nerve impulses, as they relate to your muscles. Prostigmin (Neostigmin) is an anti-cholinesterase type of medicine which can help to make your muscles work more effectively. 

Myasthenia Gravis Awareness month.

 JUNE IS MYASTHENIA AWARENESS MONTH

 Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is a Greek and Latin combination meaning “grave muscle weakness”. I would not be surprised that you’ve not heard of this disease. This autoimmune disease affects 1 in 100,000 individuals. It is considered a form of Muscular Dystrophy. This disease disrupts the lives of our  families and friends, because we are no longer able to do the things we’ve done in the past, but now must depend on them to step in and do them for us. Over exertion, stress and heat are main contributors to the worsening of our symptoms. While friends and family enjoy parties out in the beautiful sun and surf, we must be content with air conditioning and an easy chair. It affects each of us individually. MG was killing 65 percent of the people who contracted it prior to the 1930’s because there was no effective treatment. Mestinon was discovered and the death rate dropped dramatically. It now stands at 5 percent because of the advances in medications. As it stands today, it is not curable. There are some who go into periods of remission. Many of those are the ones who have had thymus glands removed, but even this does not guarantee a remission. Where diseases like cancer and MS have hundreds of case studies in process at any given time, MG currently has less than 20. It seems the reasoning behind this is that MG is controllable with medication and is no longer as life threatening as it once 

was. The fact remains that it is incurable and we would much rather live a normal life than the new “normal” we do now.

Jewelry by La Cash

Dr.Gwendolyn Todd-Houston modeling Jewelry by La Cash. Looking oh so pretty in Pink. http://www.jewelrybycash.bigcartel.com/

Myasthenia Patients require Med-Alert Bracelets!

To Purchase a bracelet visithttp://www.medicalert.ie/

Who needs MedicAlert

You need MedicAlert medical ID if:-

• You have any type of hidden medical condition
• You have an allergy
• You have had any type of implant
• You take regular medication
• You would like your blood group to be recorded
• You have a living will or wish to be an organ donor
• You simply want someone else to know if you have been involved in an emergency

And this is just the beginning. It is important to understand that everybody, irrespective of whether they are 100% fit and healthy, could justify becoming a member of MedicAlert®. We do not simply provide medical id, but a complete life-saving system. In an emergency it may be just as vital to know who your next of kin are as it is to know your medical details.

JUNE IS MYASTHENIA AWARENESS MONTH

 MYASTHENIA EDUCATION

Recognizing Myasthenia Gravis

June 5, 2012

By Charles Lieberman

The neuromuscular disease myasthenia gravis is often difficult to diagnose. It can take up to two years after its effects start to appear before doctors can get a handle on what is going on.
Myasthenia can affect any muscle in the body that you can voluntarily control, but the most common symptoms are:

• Weakness in the muscles of the chest wall, which can make breathing difficult
• Soft or nasal speech, or having to struggle, physically, to speak
• Unexplained hoarseness or changes in the voice
• Droopy eyelids, double vision, or problems maintaining a steady gaze
• Weakness or paralysis of the muscles in the face, and a markedly curtailed range of facial expressions
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing, and frequent drooling, gagging or choking
• Unexplained fatigue and a feeling of having to work extra hard to move
• Trouble lifting your head and facing forward rather than down
• Sudden inability to lift things, stand up from a chair, or climb stairs

Symptoms of myasthenia gravis often improve after a rest, but they tend to get steadily worse over time. The difficult breathing can be life threatening.
If you develop double vision, you have trouble chewing or swallowing, you find your eyelid drooping, or you experience intermittent muscle weakness, contact a doctor. These are the most obvious signs of myasthenia gravis, and a doctor can help you create a treatment strategy.

JUNE IS MYASTHENIA AWARENESS MONTH

Myasthenia Education

People going through a crisis can collapse at home or in public, and are often incorrectly assumed to be intoxicated – even by paramedics.  The more people that know about this disease, the less likely someone is to die while someone misunderstands what is happening to them. While most of us do get warning signs that our condition is heading downhill, it is also entirely possible to be able to function near-normal one minute, and literally collapse the next.

June is Myasthenia Gravis Month

MYASTHENIA EDUCATION

  Myasthenia Gravis can affect any age, gender or race. But, most often, it is women younger than 40 and men older than 50. Having said that, even newborns and young children can get it.

To learn more or to donate, contact the Myasthenia Gravis Association of America.  http://myasthenia.org/

The T-shirt For those who have made it thru

http://www.zazzle.com/grannycash.

June is Myasthenia Gravis Month

MYASTHENIA  EDUCATION

Myasthenia Gravis can be fatal if a person is in crisis and someone does not recognize it soon enough. In that case, a person might be unable to breathe, or may choke for lack of being able to swallow, for example. But it in no way causes the fatalities that it once did. Today, with the combined knowledge and awareness of the disorder and the success of intervention and various treatments, it is much more manageable and controllable. Most patients can lead nearly full and productive lives.

I find it works better for me to keep my Mind,Body and Spirit involved. So I will be doing a little spoken word. I always get a little jittery prior to public performers So hope to see you in the audience..

June is Myasthenia Gravis Month

MYASTHENIA EDUCATION

  There have been truly great advances in treatment. In the early days, people died from the disease because when the lungs would become involved, the patient would go into crisis. Since it’s considered an autoimmune disease, surgery is sometimes done today to remove the thymus gland. The thymus, located behind the breastbone, produces antibodies, but in this case it has—in layman’s terms—run amuck. One theory is that the thymus may produce receptor antibodies that can attack a person’s own body and actually lead to myasthenia gravis.

Likewise, an exchange of the body’s plasma can reduce the number of wayward antibodies as well as other measures including the use of medications which are being used today to suppress this autoimmune reaction. The specific cause of MG remains unknown, but our research continues.

June: Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month

The month of June promises many things to us. It promises beautiful flowers, warmer weather and a big, blue sky with more hours of sunlight each day.
June is also Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month. Like any disease, myasthenia gravis takes away from humanity. Those who suffer from myasthenia gravis themselves or know of someone suffering from this disease will attest to its symptoms of weakness and pain.

June is Myasthenia Gravis Month

 MYASTHENIA EDUCATION

There was a time when MG was often misdiagnosed in its early stages because there could be other reasons for most of those symptoms  mentioned.  Myasthenia Gravis remains  a problem still today?

It  is  referred to as the ‘snowflake disease,’ because in its early stages, it manifests itself differently in different individuals, making it seem that there are no two patients and symptoms that are exactly alike. MG is rare enough that many practicing physicians never see a case in their entire careers. In the United States, MG will develop in only about 20 to 30 patients out of 100,000. Because of that rarity, it is easily mistaken for other neuromuscular disorders or even as stress and general tiredness. The first thing that most of our patients notice is the droopy eyelid, so it’s often eye doctors who send their patients with that symptom to us.

My jewelry line provides many opportunities to meet people and get out of house. It is a form of thereby for me and helps as i learn to live with my illness.So off to my first event after fashion show.

Fashion & Beauty Meet and Greet at Wing Time.
Sunday, June 3, 2012, 5pm until 8pm.
2810 Ashley Phosphate Rd. Ste A1.
N. Charleston, SC 29418

I Have pain

Myasthenia gravis and back pain between shoulder blades

 As like others like my self I was treated for a thymoma on my thymus.
The location of the thymus gland and thus the thymoma is in the middle of the chest right below the lungs behind the chest bone. That is why in the Myasthenia gravis operation, the surgeon has to literally saw the chestbone apart to get to the thymoma and put the chest bone back together again. It is an open chest bone sawing operation.
That location projected to the back is exactly between the shoulder blades.
This brings us to two situations: (1) pre-surgery Myasthenia gravis; and (2) post-surgery Myasthenia gravis.
(1) In pre-surgery Myasthenia gravis, the pain is due to the thymoma. (2) In post-surgery Myasthenia gravis, the pain is a phantom pain. However, due to the surgery, the healing of the cut wound of the chest bone will tighten the chest muscles and the shoulder blade muscles.

I read a description of Myasthenia Gravis as "Rag doll Illness" from my new twitter friend @mgaireland, Because of the muscle weakness associated with the illness. I thought it was very appropriate and I have adopted it as well. My personal description was wading thru the waters of live with a lead jacket on.
But how ever you decripe it ,this is How I live with MG.

THIS IS VIDEO FROM MY FASHION SHOW

Stephen "STATIC" Garrett

Stephen Garrett checked into Baptist Hospital East Feb. 25, 2008, and after a number of tests was diagnosed with a rare condition called myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disorder with hallmark symptoms of muscle weakness and fatigue.Stephen Ellis Garrett (November 11, 1974 – February 25, 2008) also known as Static Major, was a Grammy Award-Winning American rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer from Louisville, Kentucky. He was a member of the R&B trio Playa. Static Major gained posthumous fame for appearing on Lil Wayne's 2008 album Tha Carter III on the song "Lollipop". Static Major was a producer of songs from several artists, including Aaliyah, Ginuwine, and Pretty Ricky.^] Static Major died suddenly on the operating table before Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III album was released.

Garrett died at Baptist Hospital East on Feb. 25, 2008. After a number of tests, he was diagnosed with a rare condition called myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disorder with hallmark symptoms of muscle weakness and fatigue. Doctors recommended a procedure called plasmapheresis, a treatment similar to dialysis that removes toxins from the blood using an implanted catheter as a central line through the neck and into the chest area." A large bore catheter must be inserted into the patient's arm in order to perform this procedure. When a nurse was instructed to remove it, he went into respiratory distress and did not recover.

Difficulty Swallowing and Chewing

1. Avoid or Modify very Dry Foods
     - Breads, short breads and cookies
     - Use sauces, soups ,liquids to moisten


2. Modify food textures/ and consistencies
    - Chop meats to small pieces
    - Puree or blenderize foods
    - Chose softer foods

My Model Steffanie Miller

Model Marcus Maybank

THIS IS THE DAY OF MY JEWELRY AND ACCESSORY LINE UNVEILING 

Model Kimberly Mock

BACKSTAGE PHOTOS PRIOR TO SHOW TIME

Picture of the runway as seen by Our guest.

Nutritional Implications

• Difficulty Swallowing
• Difficulty Chewing
• Weak facial muscles
• Difficulty Breathing
• Drooping Head
• Fatigue 

2012 Fashion & Beauty Expo Guest on "The Tammy Show" talking about the upcoming EXPO. The date of the EXPO is April 29 & 30th at the N. Charleston Convention Center. For information call 843.789.3439 or www.lowcountrybeautyexpo.com




Here is my Public Display of Jewelry by La Cash My line of Eco-Friendly Wood Jewelry.

Brandon Cox
(born October 31, 1983 in Trussville, Alabama), is a former American football quarterback, who played collegiately for Auburn University. As Auburn's starting Quarterback from 2005–2007 he guided the Tigers to a 29–9 record and was a member of the winningest Senior class in Auburn history, winning 50 games during their time on the Plains.

 He was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis in his 10th grade year in high school, but fought the disease and continued to play football.

General health Tips

• Eat little or no Trans-fatty acids. - store bought baked goods such as cookies, crackers, and cakes, french fries, onion rings, donuts and processed foods.
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol and tobacco
• Drink six to eight glasses of water daily

Lowcountryexposure 7th Annual Fashion and Beauty Expo

Here is the commercial for the Fashion Show I will be doing. It is an introduction of my line of Eco-Friendly wood Jewelry.

CONNIE HAINES
(January 20,1921-September 22,2008)
Often appearing next to Frank Sinatra while with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra during the early '40s, Connie Haines delivered a few of Dorsey's chart hits and recorded on her own during the '50s and '60s. Born Yvonne Marie Antoinette Ja Mais in Savannah in 1922, she learned the art of vocals quite early; her mother was both a voice and dance teacher. Living in Jacksonville after her parents divorced, she began airing over the radio before the age of ten. In 1931, she appeared over NBC radio as Baby Yvonne Marie, the Little Princess of the Air, sang with Paul Whiteman's Orchestra one year later, and in 1934 won a vocal contest on The Fred Allen

Connie died in Clearwater, Florida, at age 87 of myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune neruomuscular disease. She was survived by her children and the one woman who influenced her the most -- her mother and manager, Mildred, who was 109 at the time of Connie's death on September 22, 2008.

General Healthy Tips

• Eat Lots of Antioxidant Foods
• Avoid "White" Foods such as white breads, white pastas, and especially sugar
• Eat less red meats and more lean meats. - cold water fish, tofu ( soy if no allergy) or beans for protein
• Use healthy oils - olive oil, canola oil, peanut oil.

How to translate "doctor speak

by SC Lowcountry Myasthenia Gravis Support Group on Monday, July 11, 2011 at 7:20pm ·

(From The American Legion Magazine, Nov 2010)
"If you've ever returned from a doctor's visit and realized you don't remember or quite understand what you were told, you're not alone. Nearly nine out of 10 adults say they have trouble understanding medical informeation,including instructions given by their physician.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality offers these tips to help you eliminate the confusion at your next medical appointment:

• Bring a list of questions so you don't forget anything
• Take notes or ask for written instructions; some people even tape-record the visit (ask permission first).
• Bring a friend or family member with you.
• Ask questions; otherwise, the doctor may assume you understand everything.
• Ask your doctor to draw pictures.
• If you need more time, ask for it. You may be able to speak to a nurse or physician assistant, or talk to the doctor by phone later.
• If you get home and realize you're unclear on instructions, don't hesitate to call your doctor."

I suggest you write everything out (2 copies; one for the doc and one for your records).

CHRISTOPHER ROBIN MILNE 
Christopher Robin Milne, bookseller and writer: born London 21 August 1920; author of The Enchanted Places 1974, The Path Through the Trees 1979, The Hollow on the Hill 1982, The Windfall 1985, The Open Garden 1988; married 1948 Lesley de Selincourt (one daughter)

British Author in his own right, he was better known for being the son of famous author A. A. Milne, who wrote the celebrated "Winnie the Pooh" stories. Born the only child of Alan Alexander "A. A." Milne and Daphne "Dorothy" de Selincourt Milne, he was raised mostly by his nanny.

Christopher Robin Milne died in his sleep of myasthenia gravis, a neurological disease, at Torbay Hospital near his home in Stoke Fleming, England.

SHINGLES

I have been under the weather for the last week or so. After 3 visits to the Emergency Room for severe abdominal pain. An abdominal CAT Scan, Abdominal Ultra Sound and even a vaginal ultrasound, blood work and urine X 2. I left with 2 prescriptions for pain medication 1 for nausea and 1 for muscle spasms. But no diagnoses. Saturday after noon i am sitting on my couch slightly sedated from pain medication. I causally grab my left side,pretty much like i had been doing during this whole ordeal. I discover a rough redden rash on left side making it's way to center of my back. I take a picture of it with my cellphone. I then goggle rashes and match my rash up with Shingles.

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a virus that causes painful and concentrated skin rashes with blisters.

What Is It?

After a person has suffered from the chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus goes dormant in certain nerves of the body. Should the virus ever become active again, many years after the first outbreak, the person becomes infected with shingles instead of chickenpox. While the shingles rash may appear anywhere throughout the body, it most often appears around the waistline or side of the trunk. Shingles is not considered a life threatening virus, but can become quite painful. Early treatment is crucial to prevent further complications caused by shingles.

Symptoms

Many shingles patients experience pain before they develop a rash or blisters. Within several days, the pain will become stronger or escalate into feelings of numbness or tingling. They might also experience itchy burning. Red patches on the skin will begin to appear, along with blisters. These blisters might burst, forming ulcers that are dry and become crusty. This crust should fall off on its own within two to three weeks, with permanent scarring being a rare occurrence. Aside from the side of the trunk and waistline, the rash may appear in other areas of the body, typically around face and ears.