Michelle Gonzaba

Rare Disease Day is February 28. I always find it to be a good time to reflect on the advances made in the MG world and what still needs to be done.

Are you participating in any Rare Disease Day events? Which events?

It’s one thing to have a rare disease, but a totally different thing to feel rare. 

The first time I felt really rare was when I was talking to a close friend about my MG. My friend’s reaction and her complete confusion over my rare disease made me feel rare in the weirdest way.

In what moment did you feel most rare? How does this insp…[Read more]

With so many diseases and limited funding available, it’s hard for a rare disease like MG to get the funds it needs for research and care.

For what aspect of research/care would you like to see more funding in the MG community?

As a member of the rare disease community, BioNews (this site’s parent company) invites you to join our Rare Disease Day 2023 campaign. Throughout the month of February, we will be featuring on BioNews social media accounts our community’s responses to the question “Why does rare disease awareness matter to you?” Participants can include anyone…[Read more]

MG columnist Shawna Burns recently wrote a column about managing weight gain due to prednisone. 

I gained a significant amount of weight when I was taking 60mg of prednisone a day. I made some attempts at dieting while on the medication, but it felt like I could never make a dent in my weight.

If you’ve ever been on prednisone, did you ga…[Read more]

According to Myasthenia Gravis News, transient neonatal MG is a rare form of myasthenia gravis (MG) that typically affects 10–20% of babies born to mothers with MG, including those with minimal or no disease symptoms.

According to MG News, the symptoms of transient myasthenia usually begin within the first 24 hrs after birth and include difficul…[Read more]

Myasthenia Gravis News columnist Shawna Barnes recently wrote about living with an implanted port. As someone who doesn’t have experience with a port, I found her column really informative and interesting.

Do you have an implanted port? Have you had one in the past? What are your experiences with an implanted port?

An MG crisis is always awful. When I had one many years ago, it was a frightening experience, but my doctors were able to stabilize me. 

One of the frustrating things I remember was my neurologist saying he didn’t think I was in a crisis and that I was just experiencing major weakness because I was weaning off of steroids. It was frustrating tr…[Read more]

I always feel pressure to make big New Year’s resolutions, and when I have in the past, I always seem to come up short. But for the past few years, I’ve focused on smaller, more manageable goals. 

For example, one of my 2023 goals is to cut down on sugary drinks like soda and sweet tea and drink more water.

What are your goals for the new…[Read more]

With so many holidays being celebrated this month, it’s fun to see what foods are must-haves during the season!

What foods do you eat to celebrate the holidays? Which are your favorites? Have you had to make any adjustments to your favorite foods due to your MG?

A recent study showed that smoking is linked to earlier onset MG. I’ve never smoked, but it doesn’t surprise me that smoking may cause MG to show up earlier.

What do you think of this study? Are you a smoker with MG? Are you a former smoker who quit because of MG? 

We all have goals for ourselves and things that we want to improve on. 

Whether that is eating more veggies, exercising more, or simply taking more breaks during the day. I could definitely try to limit my screen time and spend more time outdoors.

What is that one thing that you know you should be doing more of?

In the U.S., there have been a few natural disasters this past year. And with the weather turning colder, more could come. 

The more I read about disaster prep, the more I realize how unprepared I am. And as someone with MG, I should have more of a plan in case something happens.

Do you, with your special MG needs, have a plan to deal with…[Read more]

I recently got my flu shot and my COVID booster at the same time. The day after, I felt so tired I had to call in sick at work. Even though I felt pretty bad for about 24 hours, I’m glad I was able to knock out both vaccines in one sitting. 

Have you gotten your flu vaccine? Did you have any symptoms? Will you get your COVID booster?

Traveling during the holidays can be very stressful, especially for those with MG. While it would be fun to go somewhere for Thanksgiving, I would rather avoid the large crowds and potential illnesses.

Are you traveling for Thanksgiving? Do you do anything to make traveling easier for you? 

For most of my MG journey, I’d never met someone else who had MG. At the time, I didn’t think much of it – I was too focused on my treatment. But as time passed, I wished I had someone to talk to who really understood what I was going through.

The first person I met with MG was my co-moderator, Jodi. The first time we met, we both talked abo…[Read more]

Caregivers give their all for their loved ones, but they need to take a break before they reach their own breaking point. According to an article on GoodRx, some signs that a caregiver needs to take a break are:

• Easily losing patience
• Feeling hopeless
• Having trouble sleeping 

Caregivers, what are YOUR warning signs that you need a…[Read more]

Almost three years into COVID-19, life looks different for everyone. Some have gone back to their pre-pandemic lives and habits while others are still taking many precautions. Personally, I go out a bit more than I did a year ago, but I still wear a mask when I am indoors. 

How much is the COVID-19 pandemic still affecting your life? Does it…[Read more]

I try not to consume too much sugar throughout the year, but I always make sure to grab my favorite candies during the Halloween season. 

When I had weakness in my mouth, I enjoyed lollipops because I didn’t have to chew them. Now that I’m in remission, I love eating Twix and Twizzlers.

What is your favorite Halloween candy? Is there a type…[Read more]