The Beginning: Subtle Signs in a Busy Life

Meet Ms. Susannah, a 38-year-old schoolteacher who loved her job and spent long hours teaching, grading papers, and helping her students. But a few months ago, she began noticing something unusual..

By afternoon, her eyes felt heavy, and her vision sometimes blurred. During long conversations, her speech became slightly slurred. By evening, she could barely keep her eyelids open while reading.

After a good night’s sleep, she felt completely fine again — ready to start the next day. She thought it was just stress or lack of rest, like many hardworking professionals do.

Why would this be something serious?

Over the next few weeks, her symptoms quietly worsened. Her arms began to feel weak while writing on the board, and during dinner, chewing food became tiring. Simple tasks started demanding unexpected effort.

The pattern became clear — fatigue increased with activity and improved after rest. That’s when Mrs. Susannah realized this wasn’t just tiredness. It was something more.

Seeking Answers: The Neurology Consultation

During the examination, the doctor noticed:

This raised suspicion of a neuromuscular junction disorder, where the signal between nerve and muscle is disrupted.

The Diagnostic Journey

To confirm the suspicion, the doctor ordered several tests:

Repetitive Nerve Stimulation (RNS) Test: Showed a drop in muscle response with repeated nerve stimulation — a classic sign of Myasthenia Gravis (MG).

Anti-AChR Antibody Test: Came back positive, confirming the diagnosis.

CT scan of the Chest: Revealed mild thymic enlargement often linked to MG.

Final Diagnosis: Generalized Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system attacks the receptors that help nerves communicate with muscles.

As a result, muscles tire quickly and recover after rest — creating the pattern of “weakness that comes and goes.”

How It Affects:

The immune system blocks or destroys acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction.

Muscles, especially those controlling eyes, face, and speech, become weak with activity.

Common Symptoms:

Drooping eyelids

Blurred or double vision

Slurred or nasal speech

Difficulty chewing or swallowing

Fatigue that improves after rest

How It Affects:

More common in women under 40 and men over 60

Can be associated with thymus gland abnormalities

Sometimes triggered by stress, infection, or certain medications

Management and Hope

Mrs. Susannah was started on:

Lifestyle modifications – taking rest breaks, avoiding excessive heat, stress, and overexertion

To improve nerve-muscle communication.

To suppress the autoimmune attack

Within a few weeks, her energy and strength returned. She could once again teach with confidence, manage her household, and enjoy time with family.

Regular follow-ups helped monitor her progress and keep her condition well controlled.

How It Affects:

Daytime fatigue or muscle weakness that fluctuates is not normal.

Don’t ignore symptoms like drooping eyelids, blurred vision, or slurred speech.

Myasthenia Gravis is treatable, and early diagnosis leads to a normal, fulfilling life.

If your fatigue improves after rest, it could be your body’s way of asking you to get checked.

Consult a neurologist for timely evaluation. A few simple tests can reveal what’s really happening beneath the surface.