Myasthenia gravis targets the connection between muscle and nerve

DEAR DR. ROACH: What can you tell me about myasthenia gravis? I’d like to know how it’s contracted, and what the treatment options are. — Y.H.

ANSWER: Myasthenia gravis is a disease of the connection between nerve and muscle. It is caused by an autoimmune process — meaning, the body mistakenly destroys one of the nerve/muscle receptors, which is how the nerve communicates information from the brain to the muscle. The most common receptor is the acetylcholine receptor, but a smaller number of people with MG have antibodies to a different receptor, the muscle-specific tyrosine kinase. The thymus, an obscure organ in the neck (and the “T” of T-cells), may be the source of the autoimmune reaction.

The symptoms of MG are weakness and easily fatigued muscles, especially the muscles of the eye, which is where symptoms usually start. The muscle weakness comes and goes, and often people (or their friends) notice a drooping eyelid on one or both sides. Double vision is a common symptom.

There are many treatment options. Initially, many people with MG will be prescribed medication such as pyridostigmine (Mestinon). This keeps the acetylcholine in the synapse (the connection between the nerve and muscle) longer. In some people, it provides a dramatic benefit.

Medications used for other autoimmune diseases also are used in MG. These agents — such as steroids, azathioprine and cyclosporine — suppress the immune system and reduce the destruction of the receptors, but increase the likelihood of infection. The antibodies can be removed with plasmapheresis, but the benefits last only a few weeks; this therapy is used for crises and if surgery is needed.

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Finally, surgical removal of the thymus gland can improve symptoms and reduce medication need.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 90-year-old man who has been diagnosed with macular degeneration. What treatments are available for this? — E.D.P.

Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in industrialized countries. In both types of macular degeneration, progression can be slowed down with vitamin supplementation, such as the AREDS formulation. (Current or former smokers should not take the standard supplement, as it contains beta-carotene, which may increase lung cancer risk.)

In wet AMD, the most effective treatment is to inject medication into the eye that blocks growth of new blood vessels, such as bevacizumab (Avastin). Laser treatment used to be common, but is used much less often now.

Apart from the vitamin supplementation, there is no accepted effective therapy for dry AMD. It sometimes can progress to wet, so it needs to be carefully monitored. There are ongoing trials with laser therapy and stem cells, but these have not been clinically proven to work.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 77-year-old man in good health. I take 7.5 mg amlodipine a day for hypertension. Since taking the medication, I have developed annoying lower-leg swelling. Are you aware of any adverse consequences from the edema associated with this medication? — L.B.

ANSWER: Amlodipine, like similar calcium channel blockers, works by relaxing blood vessels. This reduces pressure, but it can allow fluid to leak out of the vessels. The fluid tends to be pulled down to the feet by gravity. People worry about it because foot swelling can be a sign of serious liver, kidney or heart disease. However, the swelling from amlodipine usually is just annoying, and can be managed by raising the feet periodically or wearing compression stockings. Rarely, people can develop chronic skin changes.
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       Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu or request an order form of available health newsletters at 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803. Health newsletters may be ordered from www.rbmamall.com.
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