QUESTION: Please discuss myasthenia gravis, the diagnosis, symptoms and treatment. I am 73 and have been so diagnosed. - C.L.L.
ANSWER: I'll give you a brief background of myasthenia gravis (MG), which literally means severe muscle weakness. The explanation will entail a brief description of muscle chemistry itself.For you to blink an eye, nod your head or flick a finger, nerves must first send signals to the appropriate muscles. The chemical acetylcholine conveys the message. It triggers receptor cells of those muscles. The desired action follows instantly.
In MG, antibodies have attacked the receptors and messages don't get through. The result is muscle weakness. Muscles of the eye and those of swallowing or walking are most often affected. That's really the long and short of it.
We now have tests to identify the errant antibodies of MG and medicines to control symptoms for most patients.
If you wish to delve more deeply into this subject, write the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation, 53 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 1352, Chicago, IL 60604.
QUESTION: I have been suffering from post-herpes neuralgia for two years now. I have tried various therapies - creams, drugs, neural stimulation and the rest. I am prepared now to try acupuncture. After all, the Chinese have used it for centuries, so there must be something to it. What about it, doctor? - Mrs. P.N.
ANSWER: Why not? Acupuncture has unquestioned uses, although frankly, I cannot vouch for its effectiveness in post-shingles nerve pain. Incidentally, you do not mention use of a relatively new analgesic cream developed expressly for shingles. It is called capsaicin and is marketed under the name Zostrix. It seems from my mail to be creating a fair track record in easing post-shingles pain (for some, not all). Perhaps a brief trial would be worthwhile. The booklet on shingles discusses this subject. For a copy, write to Dr. Donohue/No.28, P.O. Box 19660, Irvine, CA 92713-0660, enclosing a long, stamped, self-addressed envelope and $1.
QUESTION: My doctor wants to examine me with a colonoscope. Will this also involve removal of polyps there, if present? - B.P.
ANSWER: Perhaps. The colonoscope is equipped with a device that allows the doctor to snip off polyps of a limited size at the same time he is doing the observing.
C) 1989 North America Syndicate Inc.