RH on Autoimmune diseases and Mito - pregnancy improving symptoms

[Guest guest]

rh could you just explain again why pregnancy might improve symptoms (that's

something to hang onto..) thks in advance.

Autoimmune diseases and Mito was:Re: hypothyroidism not

linked?

Hi Ann-Marie,

I think in my case that there are too many coincidences with

autoimmune issues and mito for me to think they are independent. For

example with the (IMHO) strong evidence that pregnancy HUGELY

improved my symptoms. Unfortunately, as I think laurie posted, the

doctors have a lot more on their plate than adult mito patients who

aren't in life and death struggles, so figuring out an autoimmune

condition link to mito, especially if it seems to be more prevalent

in relatively well-functioning adults, is not their priority.

I guess I also wonder why I am relatively healthy compared to many on

this list, so I asked Dr. G at NEMC about whether they somehow could

figure out how my body is compensating well for a complete Complex I

defect, and others have significant issues. It would make sense to

me that if my immune system varies in its antibody protection

and " bad antibody " filter due to diet and/or supplments, my conditon

could vary (independent of sleep, exertion, and illness). Too bad we

each can't have a personal physician!

I think going to the MDA clinic neuro makes it less likely that a

connection between autoimmune and mito would be looked at - on the

other hand, autoimmune conditions were the MAJOR differential dx

(conditions to rule out) when I had my fresh muscle biopsy in Atlanta

with Dr. Shoffner. Those of us with undx'd mito might want to keep

that in mind when choosing a MDA doctor vs. a doctor with another

more general affiliation.

It is frustrating - what little treatment/palliation there is for

mito disease and its symptoms, I think there is less for all but the

most common autoimmune diseases, so that may not be a productive

road - in our lifetimes

Take care,

RH