Questions posted in the
Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
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Subject: Re: relationship between CMV infection and myasthenia gravis : this is for anyone out there who might can help me. I have had a lot of health problems due to CMV infection. Two years ago I spent seven days in the hospital because of CMV. Since then, it has been reactivated five times. What I mean is, my cmv blood titer or levels,(what ever you call it) has been over 3.57 or more. I can hardly make it through a normal days work. Three months ago I started having problems with my left eye closing. It happens several times a day. I have also had cluster headaches on the left side (only). My doctor knew about the headaches and the extreme fatigue I have been having. He just thought it was the cmv. I didn't tell him about my eye lid closing. I didn't think it was a big deal. Well my sister and her husband did. He's a neurosurgeon. She called my doctor and they in turn called me back, demanding I come to see them right then. I did , and had an MRI done. It came back fine. They were looking for Bell's Palsy or Multiple Sclerosis. He never said anything about myasthenia gravis. maybe he is thinking more about the cmv and not looking for myasthenia gravis. Do you think there is any link between the cmv and myasthenia? Please let me know your opinion of this. THANK YOU!! Kim C.
= Dear Kimberly, I have been unable to find any reference to a link between CMV and myasthenia gravis however there is a very well described link between cluster headaches and eye closure on the same side. This eye closure is known as Horners syndrome, it results from impairment of the function of a branch of the nervous system on the side of the symptoms, it may be permanent I in the case of injury to the nerves from a variety of causes or transient in association with cluster headache. Myasthenia gravis on the other hand can present with problems with eye drooping although both eyes are usually involved and it is worse near the end of the day, Myasthenia is associated with benign tumors of the thymus a gland in the chest and with other diseases in which the immune system attacks the body like MS, some thyroid diseases, lupus and some forms of arthritis, an association with infection is not described. If you are still concerned about the possibility of Myasthenia you could see a neurologist and have specific testing (Tension test or EMG ) which would put your mind rest on this score at least. the neuromuscular section of the Neurology department here in the Cleveland Clinic sees numerous cases of Myasthenia , should you wish to have a consultation the appointments section can be contacted at (216) 444 5559. This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. | |
