I was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis in the fall of 1995. I had experienced muscle weakness in my arms and legs earlier but my doctors believed it was related to my having lupus, another autoimmune disease that affects the joints and connective tissues. When I was hospitalized with breathing difficulties in 1995, tests were done that confirmed I had myasthenia gravis. Treatments for my Myasthenia Gravis include Mestinon, Prednisone, Imuran, and IVIG. Since the MG seems to affect my breathing the most, I have a portable oxygen tank and oxygen room concentrator to use at home and traveling as needed.
I had previously worked ten years as an Administrative Secretary for a
School District and five years as Loan Department Assistant in a local
bank. I attended Tyler Junior College and Northeast Texas Community College
majoring in banking and English. In the spring of 1994, I was forced to
retire due to health problems. I am married and have a daughter and son.
After suffering another MG crisis in the summer of 1999, I began searching
for more information and support from the Internet, as I knew nothing
about myasthenia gravis. I became a member of the MG and Ocular mail list.
I joined the nearest support group, the Dallas/Fort Worth MG Chapter,
which is located over 100 miles away and became active in the group. In
April of 2001, I formed Bette's Myasthenia Gravis Support Club in Yahoo.
This MG club received the Purple Cup Award 4/20/01 from Advertising For
Great Clubs in Yahoo and the Hall Of Fame Blue Ribbon Award on 5/7/01
from The Advertising Club in Yahoo. There are currently over 500 active
members and it serves as a place for members to provide support and information
to each other and attend daytime chats.
My goal is to help all Myasthenics, their family and friends, understand
their disease and treatments a little better and not be left in the dark
as I was when first diagnosed.
MGnet