Nine-time Grand Slam laureate Monica Seles discloses her diagnosis of myasthenia gravis.
Monica Seles Opens Up About Living with Myasthenia Gravis
Monica Seles, tennis legend and member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, has revealed her diagnosis with myasthenia gravis (MG) in a recent interview. The chronic neuromuscular disease, which affects voluntary muscles, has required Seles to adapt multiple times throughout her life.
Seles first noticed symptoms of MG while playing tennis, including missing balls, experiencing double vision, weakness in her arms, and difficulty blowing her hair. These symptoms, which are common in both adults and children with MG, caused her to "reset" several times in her life.
The disease has impacted Seles's life significantly, but she remains hopeful and determined. She characterizes her life with MG as another in a series of life steps that required adapting, comparing it to having to adjust to a bouncing ball in tennis.
Seles was diagnosed with MG three years ago and is speaking publicly about it for the first time ahead of the US Open. She hopes to raise awareness about the condition, also known as MG, and help others who may be experiencing similar symptoms.
Seles returned to competition at the 1995 US Open, 30 years after her first appearance. She made it to the final of the tournament that year, a memorable moment she refers to as a welcome from fans in New York.
In addition to her tennis career, Seles is mentoring young tennis players and advises them to always adjust to new situations. She is also partnering with argenx, an immunology company, to promote their Go for Greater campaign.
MG is a neuromuscular autoimmune disease that causes weakness in voluntary muscles. It most commonly impacts young adult women under 40 and older men over 60, but it can occur at any age, including childhood. The condition often starts with weakness in the muscles controlling the eyes, leading to drooping eyelids (ptosis) and double vision (diplopia). Over time, muscle weakness can generalize to affect facial muscles, those controlling chewing, swallowing, speaking, neck posture, limb movement, and in severe cases, breathing muscles.
Treatments for MG focus on managing symptoms and improving muscle function, as there is currently no cure. Main approaches include acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, immunosuppressive drugs, corticosteroids, thymectomy, and plasmapheresis or intravenous immunoglobulin during myasthenic crisis or severe exacerbations. Patients require regular monitoring, education about symptom triggers, and prompt treatment of exacerbations to prevent complications such as respiratory failure.
Seles's resilience and determination serve as an inspiration to many. Despite the challenges she has faced, she continues to adjust to living with MG and remains committed to raising awareness about the condition.
References:
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2021). Myasthenia gravis fact sheet. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Myasthenia-Gravis-Fact-Sheet
- Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America. (2021). What is myasthenia gravis? https://www.myasthenia.org/living-with-mga/what-is-mg
- Mayo Clinic. (2021). Myasthenia gravis. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/myasthenia-gravis/symptoms-causes/syc-20369255
- American Academy of Neurology. (2021). Practice guideline update summary: Diagnosis and treatment of myasthenia gravis: Report of the Guideline Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. https://n.neurology.org/content/97/15/e2161
- National Health Service. (2021). Myasthenia gravis. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/myasthenia-gravis/
- Monica Seles, a sports icon, disclosed her battle with Myasthenia Gravis, a health-and-wellness issue that affects not just the voluntary muscles, but also athletes, particularly tennis players, such as herself.
- Given her diagnosis, Seles has shown mental-health resilience and determination, viewing her struggle as an adaptation challenge akin to adjusting to a bouncing tennis ball.
- In an effort to increase awareness about this neuromuscular autoimmune disease, Seles is partnering with argenx, a company in the field of fitness-and-exercise science, supporting their Go for Greater campaign.
