Profile

Name

Patricia E

Last Name

Kaspi

Nickname

Pekaspi

Short Bio

I took 23andMe’s DNA + Hlth Report assuming that I might have a marker for Inherited Retinal Disease. Instead, I was notified of a marker for Myasthenia Gravis and my sample was sent to another team of rare disease scientists who said MG was secondary to Small Cell Lung Cancer. This information was received after an Autolaryngologist said he suspected I had MG, which was 6 months prior to 23andMe’s findings. Sadly, most GPs have no idea about the disorder and I am double sero-negative due to the inheritance. However, the Doctors I’ve seen think I’m grossly mistaken. It’s so hard to find a Dr or get a referral to a Neurologist who is trained in MG or Rheumatologist. I went for a swallow test and the Speech Pathologist said that I would have a difficult time getting someone who understands what’s happening to me. She urged me to keep up the fight. So, here I am still fighting 5 years later, while continuing to decline. The saddest part is my youngest child is an Anesthiologist and she thinks I’ve become an attention seeker. Fortunately, my stepfather (a retired VA Medical Mgr) has advocated for me and has said that my symptoms are real. I live him since I need help with ADL’s. It’s very depressing to be dealing with this disease. I’ve always been strong, but I knew something was terribly wrong beginning in 2016. Most experts say the average time before diagnosis is 10 years with 3 years left before death. I want to have another 5 years to see my grandchildren grow up, but that may not be my reality. 😕 😞

Year of birth

1958

Gender

Female

Location

Florida

Relationship

Patient

How did you hear about us?

MG Website

How long have you or the person that you are caring for had MG?

8 years

Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

I agree