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Real members of MGteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

I met somebody online whose undx’d gMG went full blast after a surgery which is similar to what happened to me. How common is that?

A MGteam Member asked a question 💭

I had symptoms for decades, but I was only diagnosed with ocular MG about nine months before the surgery.

November 30, 2025
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A MGteam Member

I believe my mg started after my femur surgery prior to that I didn’t even know I had it maybe it was just laying dormant

January 1
A MGteam Member

I had undiagnosed gMG , had a septoplasty, 4days later in the ICU with a MG crisis and that's how I learned I had gMG.

November 30, 2025
A MGteam Member

My first surgery, I had undiagnosed Myasthenias Gravis and ended up in the ICU intubated, because I went into Myasthenia crisis. I would not breathe on my own. Since then, when I have surgery, I still end up in ICU. This is usually still caused from my Myasthenia crisis, but not as bad of an episode. My breathing is still affected, but I don’t need to be intubated. My oxygen levels are low, so I need oxygen and to be monitored closely. My muscles are also affected.

January 1
MGteam

How common is it for myasthenia gravis to worsen significantly after surgery?

It's actually quite common for MG symptoms to flare or worsen around surgery, especially if someone has undiagnosed or undertreated MG going into the procedure. Surgery and anesthesia can trigger what's called a myasthenic crisis, which is when Show Full Answer

How common is it for myasthenia gravis to worsen significantly after surgery?

It's actually quite common for MG symptoms to flare or worsen around surgery, especially if someone has undiagnosed or undertreated MG going into the procedure. Surgery and anesthesia can trigger what's called a myasthenic crisis, which is when respiratory muscles become so weak you can't breathe on your own.

Several factors during surgery can contribute to this:

* Not fully recovering from anesthesia
* Stopping MG medications before the procedure
* Developing an infection
* Receiving medications that can trigger a crisis

The surgery itself, combined with the stress on your body and changes to your treatment routine, creates a perfect storm for symptoms to intensify. This is why it's so important for surgical teams to know about your MG diagnosis beforehand. Your experience of having symptoms for decades before diagnosis isn't unusual either. About half of people with ocular MG will develop generalized symptoms within the first two years, though progression patterns vary widely. Some people live with only eye symptoms for years before things change.

If you're facing future surgeries, make sure to discuss your MG with both your surgeon and anesthesiologist ahead of time. Request a surgical team experienced with MG if possible—they'll take extra precautions to keep you safe throughout the process.

November 30, 2025

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