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What happened during your myasthenic crisis?

That sounds absolutely terrifying, and it's incredibly brave of you to share your experience. What you went through was a myasthenic crisis—a life-threatening situation where the respiratory muscles become so weak that breathing becomes nearly impossible.

A myasthenic crisis Show Full Answer

What happened during your myasthenic crisis?

That sounds absolutely terrifying, and it's incredibly brave of you to share your experience. What you went through was a myasthenic crisis—a life-threatening situation where the respiratory muscles become so weak that breathing becomes nearly impossible.

A myasthenic crisis can happen when you stop taking your MG treatments, like Mestinon, which is likely what triggered yours. About 1 in 5 people with MG will experience at least one myasthenic crisis in their lifetime.

The symptoms you described—violent tremors, severe difficulty breathing, and feeling like you might die—are all recognized signs of this emergency. The respiratory muscles become too weak to move enough air in and out of the lungs.

Why short breaths may have helped:

Your instinct to try short breaths when deep ones were impossible was resourceful in that terrifying moment. During a crisis, the weakened muscles simply can't manage deep breathing, so shorter breaths may have been all your muscles could handle while still getting some oxygen.

Important points about myasthenic crises:

They usually don't happen suddenly—warning signs often include:
- Worsening shortness of breath
- Increased difficulty swallowing
- Increased muscle weakness

If you notice these symptoms developing again, contact your care team immediately. A myasthenic crisis requires medical intervention, often including mechanical ventilation support until symptoms improve.

Thank you for sharing what helped you survive this frightening experience.

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

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