As a chronic autoimmune disorder, myasthenia gravis (MG) cannot be cured. However, it can come and go; symptoms might completely disappear for long periods of time, even years. This is called remission. Remission doesn’t happen in all patients, and the reasons for remission from MG are not always known.
What leads to remission in myasthenia gravis?
Remission describes when someone with MG no longer has any signs or symptoms of the condition. Up to 40% of people with MG will experience remission at some point — sometimes permanently.
The exact reasons for remission and why it occurs in some people but not others are still being studied. However, research has shown that effective medical treatment such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, steroids, immunotherapy or surgery to remove the thymus gland are key factors in achieving remission for many patients. Patients are more likely to experience remission if they are diagnosed before age 40, and if they are diagnosed within the first year after symptoms appear.
Learn more about myasthenia gravis FAQs
What does remission look like?
There are different kinds of remission in MG:
- Spontaneous remission: This is rare, and refers to remission without medical treatment. In spontaneous remission, MG symptoms disappear on their own; the reasons why are often unclear. This form of remission is more common in cases of juvenile MG.
- Pharmacological remission: This type of remission is more common, and means a patient’s symptoms are completely controlled with medication.
- Complete stable remission: Complete remission occurs in 10%-20% of people living with MG. It describes when a patient has experienced no MG symptoms for at least a year, has taken no medication for MG during that time and a medical specialist can’t find any signs of muscle weakness.
While not considered to be remission, minimal manifestation status is often considered the treatment goal for MG. When a person living with MG is categorized as having minimal manifestations status, they have no symptoms or functional limitations but still manifest with weakness of some muscles.
What is living in remission like?
Despite the benefits of living without symptoms, some people in remission from MG report having mixed feelings, as they constantly worry about triggering a relapse. How long remission from MG will last is difficult to predict: Symptoms might not return for years, or they could return next week.
To avoid an MG flare-up, those in remission should maintain a healthy lifestyle. The same advice as before remission applies: Eat a healthy diet, make time for moderate exercise and get enough sleep. While there are no guarantees in preventing remission, a healthy lifestyle will contribute to your overall well-being.
If you experience any MG symptom flare-ups or changes in muscle strength, it is important to inform your doctors so your treatment plan can be adjusted.
Sign up here to get the latest news, perspectives, and information about MG sent directly to your inbox. Registration is free and only takes a minute.
