When living with myasthenia gravis (MG), there are specific complications to be aware of during surgery and anesthesia:
Potential Complications
- Respiratory Failure: Weak respiratory muscles can lead to difficulty breathing on your own.
- Myasthenic Crisis: Triggered by factors such as:
- Not fully recovering from Show Full Answer
When living with myasthenia gravis (MG), there are specific complications to be aware of during surgery and anesthesia:
Potential Complications:
- Respiratory Failure: Weak respiratory muscles can lead to difficulty breathing on your own.
- Myasthenic Crisis: Triggered by factors such as:
- Not fully recovering from anesthesia
- Stopping MG treatments for surgery
- Developing an infection
- Taking medications that can cause a crisis
Symptoms of Myasthenic Crisis:
- Shortness of breath
- Trouble swallowing
Preventive Measures:
- Presurgery Discussions: Inform your surgeon and anesthesiologist about your MG. Request a surgical team experienced with MG.
- Medication Management: Continue MG treatments until the morning of surgery.
- Anesthesia Choices: Prefer local or regional anesthesia to avoid sedation side effects. If general anesthesia is necessary, adjustments will be made.
Medications Used:
- Neuromuscular Blocking Agents (NMBAs): Such as rocuronium and vecuronium, used to relax skeletal muscles and assist with intubation.
Important Steps:
- Coordination with Neurologist: Your surgical team will discuss your symptoms and medications with your neurologist to create a treatment plan for potential complications.
If you have any personal experiences or additional questions, discussing them with your neurologist or care team is recommended.
September 19, 2024
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