Treatment for myasthenia gravis can include the following:
Thymectomy, or removal of the thymus gland, which can reduce or eradicate symptoms in a majority of patients
Plasmapheresis, or the transfer of healthy antibodies (from donor blood) and the removal of abnormal antibodies (done intravenously)
Neostigmine or pyridostigmine, two medications which improve muscle strength by increasing the body’s neuromuscular transmission
Immunosuppressive drugs, such as prednisone, cyclosporine, and azathioprine, which suppress the overactive immune system
Respiratory intervention, which includes hospitalization, if a severe case affects the muscles that control breathing (less common)
Myasthenia gravis can be treated and hence lived with. Severe cases are more rare, and with good intervention and treatment, people with myasthenia gravis can expect to live normal lives. For further reference: www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/myasthenia_gravis.
