Six years to a tentative diagnosis. Seven years to a confirmed diagnosis. Eight years to thymectomy. Eleven years to find a treatment plan that worked. These are the landmarks of my myasthenia gravis (MG) journey. The starting point was my medical retirement from the U.S. Army…
When I was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG), I thought I understood the illness. The years since have been eye-opening. My MG has spiraled out of control several times. On those trying days, I wondered, “Why me?” I think I’ve finally found an answer to this question. After…
On June 27, Rystiggo became the first generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) treatment to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adults with antibodies against either the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) or muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) proteins. While other treatments have been cleared for patients with anti-AChR…
Patterns of facial weakness can be quantified with facial recognition software and computer models and used to diagnose and monitor myasthenia gravis (MG), a study finds. “This study delivers a ‘proof of concept’ for a [deep learning] model that can distinguish MG from [healthy controls] and classifies disease…
Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with prednisone. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. It’s been a year since I started writing about the weight gain I experienced while taking high-dose prednisone to manage…
An under-the-skin formulation of efgartigimod is now being considered for approval in China for treating adults with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), according to Zai Lab, which will market the therapy if approved. Chinese authorities have agreed to review a biologics license application (BLA) seeking the approval of this…
The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China has agreed to consider approving batoclimab (HBM9161) for treating generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG). Submitted as a biologics license application (BLA), the request is supported by positive top-line data from a Phase 3 clinical trial (NCT05039190) from China. The trial…
The song “Build Me Up Buttercup” always plays in my head when someone tells me to “fill your cup.” But how do we fill our cups when we’re too weak to pour from the kettle? This topic has been on my mind lately as I dive into self-care…
Each day we try to make sense out of seemingly random events. We do this at both an individual and societal level. It’s seen in the creation stories found in all cultures. The Egyptians believed the world was created by the sun god Ra. The Romans believed their…
Vyvgart (efgartigimod alfa) has been approved in China as an add-on to standard therapy for adults with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG). The approval, announced by the therapy’s developer Argenx and its partner Zai Lab, was made by the Chinese regulatory agency the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). The approval is…
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