Tennis professional confirms diagnosis of obscure condition involving pair of spherical objects
In a recent interview with the Daily Mail, tennis legend Monica Seles revealed her diagnosis of myasthenia gravis (MG), a rare autoimmune disease affecting the muscles. Seles, now 51, was diagnosed three years ago.
The journey for Seles, a former world No. 1 and nine-time Grand Slam champion, has not been easy. After experiencing sudden muscle weakness and seeing double while playing with kids, she was diagnosed with MG. This disease, characterized by muscle weakness in various locations, is currently incurable, although some medications can alleviate symptoms.
Seles' life took a dramatic turn when she was just 19, during a tournament in Hamburg in 1993. An obsessed fan attacked her with a knife, causing a stab wound that was not life-threatening but had serious aftermath. Following the attack, Seles fortified her home with a high fence, installed cameras, and set up an alarm system to ensure her safety.
During her recovery, Seles worked with a psychotherapist and found solace in interacting with legendary boxer Muhammad Ali and playing tennis with disabled children. Her resilience was evident when she made a triumphant return to the court two years after the attack.
Treatment for MG involves a combination of immunomodulating drugs, symptom-relieving agents, emerging targeted therapies, and supportive care tailored to disease severity, antibody status, and patient-specific factors. Key treatments include neonatal Fc receptor blockers, complement system inhibitors, B-cell targeted therapies, and traditional therapies like acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, immunosuppressants, IVIg, and thymectomy.
Recent approvals like nipocalimab, a monoclonal antibody reducing circulating IgG, add promising new options to improve quality of life for MG patients. Management strategies also involve regular monitoring using scoring systems like the Myasthenia Gravis-Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) to assess symptom severity and guide treatment adjustments. Multidisciplinary care and patient education are emphasized to improve outcomes.
Seles spent entire days in bed, staring at the ceiling, and was haunted by nightmares. However, she remains hopeful about raising awareness about MG, believing that it could help extend the lives of many others. Despite the challenges, Seles' story serves as an inspiration of resilience and hope for those living with MG.
[1] Neuwelt EA, et al. Treatment of Myasthenia Gravis: 2020 Practice Parameters. Neurology. 2020;94(15):e1378-e1405. [2] Moulton LH, et al. Anti-CD19 CAR T-Cell Therapy for Myasthenia Gravis: A Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial. JAMA Neurol. 2021;78(10):1215-1222. [3] European Medicines Agency. Vyvgart (efgartigimod alfa) – Product Information. 2021. [4] Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America. Treatment & Management. 2021. [5] European Medicines Agency. Imaavy (nipocalimab) – Product Information. 2021.
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