Myasthenia gravis

These three case histories exemplify current treatment strategies and prognosis in a previously chronic, severe and sometimes life-threatening disease. The nurse's challenge in working with and caring for these individuals include: patient education-concerning disease process, medications and cholinergic vs myasthenic crisis. Long term emotional support of both the patient and family are important in a disease which may take years before remission occurs. Patient support groups and literature may often be of benefit. The hospital stay for a myasthenic may be relatively short (e.g. during thymectomy only). The home health care team, family physician, and outpatient neurological team rely on the patient and his family to have a solid knowledge base and continual telephone contact in order to maintain optimal care. Immunosuppression and plasmapheresis may well be a contributing factor to improved prognosis and cure in a previously "grave" disease.