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your support system

  

LIBRARY

Here, we’ve assembled some gMG support resources. Whether you’re looking for an advocacy group in your area or just need the definition of a word you don’t understand, here you’ll find support for your everyday life with gMG.

  

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ADVOCACY GROUPS

Advocacy groups can help you find people who share similar gMG experiences. Keep in mind, when you join an advocacy group, you can share as much or as little as you’d like. Sometimes, you may find it helpful to just listen.

A quick search online can help you locate advocacy groups. Whether you find a local group to meet in-person, or an online group who meet remotely, a support community can help you feel connected and learn more about gMG.

  

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GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Acetylcholine (ACh)

Acetylcholine helps your brain send messages to your muscles. In people with gMG, autoantibodies damage your muscles’ AChR receptors. This causes muscle weakness.

Acetylcholine receptor (AChR)

An acetylcholine receptor is found on your muscles. These receptors receive messages from your nerves. In patients with gMG, these receptors are damaged by anti-AChR antibodies.

Acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody

The immune systems of people with gMG mistakenly generate AChR antibodies that damage AChR receptors.

Anti-AChR antibody-positive gMG

Occurs in patients with harmful, AChR-damaging autoantibodies. This is the most common form of gMG.

Antibody

Antibodies are chemicals in your body that fight germs and infections.

Autoimmune disease

A disease that causes the immune system to mistakenly attack healthy cells.

Clinical trial

A method of testing the efficacy and safety of a given treatment. Clinical trials are reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to determine if a treatment can be used in humans for a specified condition.

Diplopia

Double vision, a common symptom of gMG.

Dysarthria

Slurred speech, a common symptom of gMG.

Dysphagia

Problems swallowing, a common symptom of gMG.

Dysphonia

Problems speaking, a common symptom of gMG.

Exacerbation

Sometimes known as a flare, exacerbation is a time when muscle weakness is either more severe or more frequent than normal.

Generalized MG

Also known as gMG, this is the most common type of MG. In generalized MG, the condition affects muscles in the patient’s eyes, face, neck, arms, and legs.

Immunosuppressive therapy (IST)

A type of medication used for overactive immune systems. IST medications reduce the strength of the body’s immune system.

MG-ADL scale

The Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) scale assesses the impact of MG on your daily functions. This scale is a tool that helps you measure the symptoms that most affect your daily living and communicate your symptoms with your doctor.

Myasthenic crisis

A period during which the muscles that help you breathe get weaker than normal.

Neurologist

A doctor specializing in conditions of the nervous system, like gMG.

Neuromuscular junction

A place on your muscles where nerve receptors are located, including the acetylcholine receptor (AChR).

Ptosis

Drooping eyelid, a common symptom of gMG.

Remission

A period of time when symptoms go away completely, with less or no treatment.

Thymus

The thymus is a gland located over the heart and behind the breast bone. This is usually the part of the immune system that does not work properly in people with MG.

Thymectomy

Surgery to remove the thymus gland.

Thymoma

A tumor on the thymus gland. May be cancerous or non-cancerous.

Benefit period

The amount of time you are covered under the terms of your insurance plan.

Benefits investigation

An analysis, usually done by a doctor’s office, to see if a service or prescription is covered under your insurance plan (also known as benefits verification).

Coinsurance

Your share of the cost of a covered healthcare service, usually a percentage of the allowed amount for the service (for example, 10%). You pay coinsurance after you’ve met your deductible.

Co-pay

A flat fee you pay for certain covered services such as a doctor’s visit or prescriptions. The amount can vary depending on the type of insurance you have or the service being performed.

Deductible

A flat dollar amount you must pay out of your own pocket before your plan begins to pay for covered services.

Exchange plan

The insurance you set up through the Health Insurance Marketplace®.

Income verification

Proof of how much money you earn from your job or receive through government assistance.

Inpatient

Healthcare treatment you receive when you’re admitted to a healthcare facility like a hospital or nursing facility.

Medically necessary

Healthcare services or supplies that are needed in order to diagnose or treat an illness, injury, disease, condition, or symptoms and that meet accepted standards of medicine.

Medicare

Medicare is a federally funded health insurance program for people age 65 or older, people younger than 65 with certain disabilities, and people of all ages with end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant). Please visit www.medicare.gov for more detailed information on Medicare policies.

Medicare Advantage

Also known as Medicare Part C. This Medicare plan is offered by private companies that contract with Medicare to provide beneficiaries with Medicare Part A and Part B benefits.

Medicare-approved cost

The amount Medicare will pay for a specific healthcare service or treatment.

Medicare Part D

A program that helps pay for prescription drugs for people with Medicare.

Medigap

Extra health insurance you can buy from a private company to pay healthcare costs not covered by original Medicare (for example, co-pays, deductibles, and healthcare if you travel outside the United States).

Minimum essential coverage

The amount of insurance coverage a person needs to meet the individual responsibility requirement under the Affordable Care Act.

Open enrollment period

The time period when a person can sign up for a health insurance plan.

Out of network

Healthcare services received from providers who are not under contract with a particular insurance plan.

Outpatient

Healthcare services you receive without being admitted to a hospital or healthcare facility.

Premium

The amount of money that you must pay for health insurance. You (or your employer) may pay your premium every month, every quarter, or once a year.

Prior authorization

Getting your health plan’s approval for a service or prescription ahead of time to confirm that a service or prescription will be covered.