A Good Life with Bad Muscles - a Column by Retha De Wet

A New Treatment Combination Brings Me Hope for My Future

My health seems to follow a pattern: I’ll start a treatment plan, it’ll go well for a little while, and then I’ll suddenly experience an uncontrollable flare. I’ll stubbornly suffer until my body decides that I should stop. I’m currently at the beginning of that cycle once again after recently…

A Small Thing that Brings Me Joy

I drink a lot of Coke. People have strong opinions about that. For example, “But do you know how bad it is for your health?” Or, “You should cut out Coke and follow this generic diet, and your health will improve.” Or, “Maybe you would feel better if you drank…

I Found a Neurologist Who Gives Me Hope

A broken promise can often lead to immense disappointment. For someone with myasthenia gravis (MG), a failing immunosuppressive medication can easily lead to a broken heart. Immunosuppressive medications combat the autoimmune nature of MG. Unfortunately, I have refractory seronegative MG. Refractory means that either I do not respond to…

The Dark Horse of Depression that Followed My MG Diagnosis

Editor’s Note: This column discusses the sensitive topic of suicidal ideation.  The moment doctors diagnosed me with myasthenia gravis (MG), they prescribed me antidepressants. It didn’t make much sense to me at the time. I thought a diagnosis would result in treatment that would restore the life I…