Stress can amplify the sensation of pain, it can increase inflammation and push us towards unhealthy coping mechanisms that are detrimental to our physical condition (like smoking) or our general wellness (like disordered eating). Before taking any new medication, check with your doctor to ensure it’s safe.One of the most dangerous potential complications of MG is myasthenic crisis. The way modern life is structured, however, is only part of the picture when it comes to the particular kind of stress people with MG experience. This can also help you loved ones to understand your situation better. Subscribe to receive new blog posts on clinical trials and healthcare.We already know that our mental state can have a huge impact on our physical wellbeing. Until recent decades, MG was often fatal, with mortality rates for myasthenic crisis (i.e., respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation), which affects up to 20% of myasthenic patients at some point in their illness, as high as 30% to 70% in the early 1960 s []. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a rare clinical syndrome defined as a profound but reversible left ventricular dysfunction in the absence of coronary artery disease.We report a unique case of a 60-year-old Hispanic woman with myasthenia gravis who developed takotsubo cardiomyopathy and concomitant myasthenic crisis that appear to have been triggered by a stressful life event. Myasthenia gravis (MG), the most common disorder of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), is a post-synaptic autoimmune disease. Her treating neurologist gave her pyridostigmine and mycophenolate mofetil, and she was discharged after improvement of her myasthenic symptoms.One month following the diagnosis of MG, she presented to our emergency department with severe mid-sternal chest pain and shortness of breath shortly after a personally significant stressful life event. 2009, 71: 243-250. According to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, the disease affects about 14 to 20 people out of every 100,000 people. A myasthenic crisis is a severe form of myasthenia gravis. You can also search for this author in Some people will only have mild symptoms. We know that there can be a physical manifestation of our sorrow – the Managing stress and difficult emotional situations can be even more important if you’re battling a chronic disease. The latter could mean close monitoring of myasthenia gravis patients is required during times of intense emotional stress because of the potential risk of developing takotsubo cardiomyopathy – a heart condition that mimics a heart attack but is not indicative of any underlying cardiovascular issues. You can learn a lot about your symptoms, triggers and limitations by keeping a journal. You’ll need to learn to slow down and realise you can’t keep pushing yourself as hard as before you got diagnosed. A myasthenic crisis may occur for no known reason. 10.1253/circj.71.990.Elenkov IJ, Chrousos GP: Stress hormones, proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and autoimmunity. It involves an injection of a drug called Tensilon, which temporarily improves muscle strength in people with myasthenia gravis. Her troponin I level was elevated, while cardiac catheterization revealed no significant coronary artery disease. All rights reserved. Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular junction post-synaptic autoimmune disorder. Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a long-term neuromuscular disease that leads to varying degrees of skeletal muscle weakness. Accepting your body’s limitations doesn’t mean you have to like your current situation – it just means you have to adapt. Both reports suggested that the MG crisis itself and/or plasmapheresis treatments played a causative role in the development of TC [TC, also called transient left ventricular apical ballooning, is an increasingly recognized clinical syndrome characterized by a profound but reversible left ventricular dysfunction. We advocate careful cardiac monitoring of MG patients during acute emotional or physical stress, as there is a potential risk of developing TC.Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and any accompanying images. The authors declare that they have no competing interests.SRB is the neurologist in chief who dealt with and advised on the patient's neuromuscular condition and management and was a major contributor in writing the manuscript. Brain Res. Be it counselling, talk therapy, art therapy (if your condition allows it), a hobby, a sport if your treatment team gives you the green light or even just a friend who has the mental space to be a good listener as you vent.