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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.

If you have mg can you sometimes start having other autoimmune diseases?

A MGteam Member asked a question 💭
Middletown, NY

I'm starting to have strange symptoms like swelling in my hands with stiffness and legs too. I'll feel warmer too. Could it be RA? I'm having trouble typing this now my fingers are so stiff and slightly swollen.

May 7
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Reactions
A MGteam Member

I'm praying for all of you that's going through this
I was on 60mg in October of 2024 was down to 15 in November of 2025 and had an episode where my eye lid started dropping so my doctor increased it back to 40mg
Now he have me on cell cept to replace the prednisone so I'm lowering it 5mg a month I'm down to 20mg as well as the cellcept so we'll see how this goes .Keep me in prayer as I will you all.
Have a beautiful blessed day 🤗

.

May 12
A MGteam Member

Yes, Marybeth, I have had Lupus for 35 years. Recently, 6 months ago I got mg. About 4 months ago, I had severe temporal pain. Have a biopsy of my temporal arteries. To confirm I now have Temporal arteritis. Which attacks
My veins and arteries. I bleed out
And now have two pulmonary embolisms in my right lung. And a Hematoma in my abdomen wall. A procedure was done to suction out the blood. Through my groin. So , yes I now have 4 autoimmune conditions. Lupus, hypothyroidism, temporal arteritis, and myasthenia gravis

May 8
MGteam

Those symptoms sound really uncomfortable, and it's completely understandable to be concerned. Please reach out to your doctor as soon as possible — swelling, stiffness, and warmth in the joints are symptoms that need to be evaluated promptly.

To answer your question: yes, having myasthenia gravis does increase the risk of Show Full Answer

Those symptoms sound really uncomfortable, and it's completely understandable to be concerned. Please reach out to your doctor as soon as possible — swelling, stiffness, and warmth in the joints are symptoms that need to be evaluated promptly.

To answer your question: yes, having myasthenia gravis does increase the risk of developing other autoimmune conditions. The immune system is already in an overactive state with MG, which can make it more likely to mistakenly attack other parts of the body too. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one condition that has been found to occur alongside MG more often than in the general population. Research suggests that between 1% and 4% of people with MG also have RA. The symptoms you're describing — swollen, stiff, warm joints — are classic signs that a doctor would want to investigate.

Some other autoimmune conditions that can occur alongside MG include:

- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) — causes joint swelling, stiffness, and warmth
- Thyroid conditions — such as Graves' disease or Hashimoto's thyroiditis
- Lupus (SLE) — causes inflammation throughout the body, including joints

It's also worth knowing that some MG medications, particularly long-term corticosteroid use like prednisone, can cause joint-related side effects too. So your doctor will want to consider that as well.

Please don't wait on this — contact your neurologist or doctor today and describe exactly what you've shared here. Early evaluation really matters.

May 7
A MGteam Member

Speaking with my niece and othe family members, as autoimmune dx's go. Its not uncommon to have other autoimmune deficiencies once you have a dx.
Our personal opinion, they may have always been there and one probably precludes another.
But that was just us talking.

June 9
A MGteam Member

Awe, Marybeth, thank you 😊 so much. I’m blessed to live within my faithfulness with God. Who has lifted me up; to feel spiritually fulfilled. I have never felt so satisfied, joyful and at peace in my entire life 🙏❤️

May 11

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