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Yes, my exposure was to drugs injected into my body. Don’t forget that these are Chemicals, too.
My double vision and spasms in my 4th and 6th cranial nerves started the day after I had a complicated root canal. I was given extra doses of lidocaine during the dental procedure, because it took longer than expected. After 10 days of double vision, I saw an opthomologist who suggested I see a neurologist. The only way I could see one was through the Emergency Room. They admitted me for what they thought was a stroke, and that night gave me both types of dye, meglumine and radioactive Iodine for two different scans. Fortunately it wasn’te a stroke, but then had full blown generalized MG, caused by dyes. I could open only 1 eye, had difficulty talking, eating swallowing, and walking due to loss of balance. These were not corrected with 100 mg of mestinon 3x/day plus 240 mg Imurane/day, plus IVIG for 5 days a week, every 4th week for 4 months.
I then had a thymectomy. Following that I was intubated about for about 18 hours, and given 5 plasma exchanges. After that I had my swallow study, and was permitted solid foods. Some of the symptoms cleared up. I could talk and move somewhat more easily. The double vision never cleared on those drugs. I finally stopped Imurane after I found my platelets were down to 37! That took 15-16 months to develop. I have not had that drug and for over 2 years, and I am still troubled by it . Twice I’ve had GI bleeds, and also last year I had surgery for cancer. The neurologists was been willing to check my liver enzymes to see if they indicate damage. In fact, they did not even check my CBC’s again after I had been on the drug for 6 months. Fortunately my PCP did. I had begun to have physical signs of thromocytopenea 9 months before it was confirmed by a lab! Each time I saw my neuro. Dr.’s I complained about the Purpura (these were huge purple and black spots on my arms and legs), and they never addressed it. That is one of the early warning signs that your liver and/or bone marrow are being damaged.
The MG Foundation gave me a list of drugs to avoid, of course Lidocaine and Megalumin as well as the Iodine (iothalamate) are on the list of drugs that exacerbate MG. Keep us posted on the VA and Agent Orange. I am also a Vietnam era vet. While I didn’t go there, almost all of my patients had been evacuated from there within 48 hours of their injuries.