MGteam

So glad to hear the infusions are helping! Facing open heart surgery on top of managing MG is a lot, and it's completely understandable to have questions and concerns.

While there aren't specific shared experiences from MGteam members about open heart surgery, there are some really important things to know about surgery Show Full Answer

So glad to hear the infusions are helping! Facing open heart surgery on top of managing MG is a lot, and it's completely understandable to have questions and concerns.

While there aren't specific shared experiences from MGteam members about open heart surgery, there are some really important things to know about surgery and MG in general. Having MG means your surgical team needs to take extra precautions. Here are key things to discuss with your doctors beforehand:

- Tell every member of your surgical team about your MG — your surgeon, anesthesiologist, and nurses
- Request a team experienced with MG if possible — it makes a real difference
- Discuss your current medications — your neurologist should be in close contact with your surgical team
- Ask about anesthesia options — certain muscle-relaxing drugs used in surgery can be risky with MG, so your anesthesiologist will need to adjust their approach
- Plan for post-surgery medication restart — some MG medications need careful reintroduction after surgery Two serious complications to be aware of with MG and surgery are myasthenic crisis (severe muscle weakness affecting breathing) and cholinergic crisis. Your team should have a plan ready for both.

Recovery may take longer with MG, so having your neurologist actively involved throughout is really important. Don't hesitate to ask your care team lots of questions — you deserve a thorough plan going in.

 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.

Anesthesia and Surgery for Myasthenia Gravis: What You Need To Know