Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare, chronic autoimmune disorder involving your nerves and muscles.

Generalized myasthenia gravis, or gMG, is a more severe type of MG that can weaken muscles throughout the body.

gMG is caused by harmful antibodies produced by your immune system that get in the way of signaling in the neuromuscular junction, or NMJ. The NMJ is where nerves meet the muscles they control.

In people with gMG, these harmful antibodies remain in your body longer than normal, where they continue to interfere with communication between nerves and muscles.

Up to 95% of people with gMG have anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) or anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibodies.

Healthy NMJ

NMJ impacted by gMG

Signals are sent from nerves and received by muscles as part of normal muscle function and movement.

Harmful antibodies block these signals, resulting in damage to muscle cells and the symptoms of gMG.

Neuromuscular junction with normal function

Neuromuscular junction in gMG

Learn more about key gMG terms in the glossary.

Everyone experiences gMG differently

Symptoms vary from person to person. While most people with gMG experience muscle weakness and muscle fatigue, these symptoms can range from mild to severe, and can affect any part of your body. Symptoms may also fluctuate throughout the day, and from one day to the next.

gMG symptoms can make a variety of familiar activities like climbing stairs, chewing, brushing your teeth, or combing your hair very challenging.

When compared to other subtypes of the condition, people with anti-MuSK antibody-positive gMG may experience more severe symptoms. Fewer treatments are available, and they may not respond to certain standard treatments.

This makes working with your doctor to choose the right treatment plan even more important.

Around 50% of people with gMG still have symptoms despite receiving treatment.

Rethinking your treatment goals

While some treatments can help ease symptoms, they may not all target any underlying causes of gMG.

Your voice matters

Because people with MG may appear healthy on the outside, family, friends, and healthcare providers may not realize how symptoms impact your daily life.

Share your gMG challenges with your doctor to help them better understand your unique experience with this condition. If you’re not satisfied with your treatment progress, ask if a targeted treatment option may be right for you.