Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder in which patients frequently experience muscle weakness. Corticosteroids are a common treatment — but what are they, and why are they used?
Understanding this autoimmune disorder
Before exploring corticosteroids, let’s break down what “autoimmune neuromuscular disorder” means.
“Autoimmune” refers to the fact that your body’s own immune system is mistakenly attacking itself. Typically, our body’s immune system counters the attack from foreign agents, such as an infection. In MG, the body’s immune system is directed against itself, causing inflammation.
“Neuromuscular” refers to the site at which the body’s immune system launches its attack. The body’s immune system attacks the site at which nerves and muscles communicate. This lessened efficacy in nerve-muscle connection is what drives the symptoms of MG.
Tool for alleviating inflammation
Because of the abnormal action of the immune system in attacking the site of nerve-muscle communication, it needs to be suppressed for symptoms such as reduced muscle strength to improve.
Corticosteroids are prescribed for this very purpose. They are a type of drug very similar to the hormone cortisol, which reduces inflammation in the body. Corticosteroids work by suppressing the overactivity of the immune system, which reduces disease activity at the site of nerve-muscle communication. Prednisone is the mostly frequently used corticosteroid for MG.
Patients with MG who begin taking corticosteroids typically see at least some of their symptoms start to ease. Your doctor will adjust your corticosteroid dose according to what is needed by your body.
Read more about MG treatment and care
Long-term use
Corticosteroids are typically prescribed long-term in patients with MG. At present, there is no cure for MG, so some form of immunosuppression is needed to keep symptoms to a minimum.
Aside from corticosteroids, your doctor may also prescribe you other immunosuppressants to work in concert with corticosteroids to control an overactive immune system.
Long-term use of corticosteroids has risks of its own, and may come with side effects such as weight gain and weaker bones. Hence, your doctor will seek to taper your corticosteroid dose to be as low as possible to prevent these side effects from manifesting. The exact combination of therapies and their doses very much depends on how your body responds to treatment. This is why it is important for you to attend all your scheduled follow-up appointments, because these are opportunities for your doctor to monitor your symptom progress and adjust your medications if needed.
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