Myasthenia gravis: regimens and regimen-associated problems in adults

Two hundred eighteen persons with myasthenia gravis (MG) responded to a mailed survey regarding experiences with their disease. The most commonly used regimen reported to control MG was taking medication on a regular schedule. One hundred ninety-four respondents reported using pyridostigmine bromide with 104 reporting experiencing diarrhea from their medication. Respondents reported situations that aggravated and alleviated adverse effects associated with their medication. Sixty-two respondents reported taking prednisone regularly for their MG. Forty-five of these respondents reported a weight gain. Seventy-seven respondents reported having had a thymectomy. The total remission rate was 11.6% for those who had undergone thymectomy and was 10.2% for those who had not undergone thymectomy. Thirty-one respondents reported having had plasmapheresis with only 3 respondents using plasmapheresis on a regular basis. Results generated by this study can provide useful information to assist nurses in the development of educational materials for persons with MG, their significant others and health care professionals.