Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disease causing various degrees of muscle weakness of the body. The muscle weakness increases during activity and improves with rest. Common areas of muscle weakness include muscles which control eye muscles, facial expression, talking, and swallowing. Muscles involved in breathing can also be affected as well as muscles in the extremities including the arms, hands and legs.
Myasthenia gravis is caused by a problem in trasmitting nerve impulses to muscles and occurs where nerve cells unite with muscles they control. Basically, the nerves release a chemical called acetylcholine which causes a muscle contraction. In Myashenia gravis this chemcial is blocked which prevents the muscles from contracting.
Diagnosis is made by a careful physical examination as well as special blood tests. Also, when a certain chemical is given intravenously one may show improvement in muscle power.
Some individuals with Myasthenia gravis may also have have a tumor of the thymus gland which lies in the chesst under the breast bone. This is generally benign but may become malignant. Removal of this gland is recommended in those who show symptoms. Surgery may reduce muscle weakness in some cases. However, in most cases treatment with medications will improve their symptoms considerably.
However, there are individuals who despite treatment continue to suffer from bouts of severe muscle weakness which significantly interfers with their ability to work a full day. In these cases, one must show by their medical records that they are greatly affected by their disease. According to social security rules in order to be allowed benefits two criteria must be met. 1. You must show significant difficultiess with speaking, swallowing or breathing despite prescribed therapy or 2. show significant motor weakness of the muscles of your arms or legs while on prescribed therapy. This can vary but in general if you had great diffficulty carrying objects, writing, raising your arrms overhead or be severely limited in walking to as little as under an hour over a working day, then your chances for getting benefits would be much greater.