Saturday, October 24, 2026
💜 Dear Diary,
I have a question.
Who exactly is supervising my immune system?
Because clearly, somebody skipped orientation, ignored the employee handbook, and completely misunderstood the job description. 😂
Your immune system is supposed to protect you from harmful invaders. But when you have an autoimmune disease, that same defense system mistakenly targets your own body.
Apparently, mine decided one autoimmune disease wasn’t enough.
Crohn’s Disease joined the organization in 2003, and Myasthenia Gravis (MG) officially joined in 2023.
Now I’ve got two autoimmune roommates operating in different departments, causing entirely different problems, and neither one seems interested in following company policy.
And management? Management is exhausted. 🙄😂
But have you ever wondered what actually happens inside your body when an autoimmune disease becomes active?
Because a flare isn’t simply having a bad day. There’s real science behind the chaos.
🦋 Same Immune System, Different Problems
Although Crohn’s and MG are both autoimmune diseases, they affect the body very differently.
Crohn’s Disease involves an abnormal immune response that causes chronic inflammation in the digestive tract. When that inflammation becomes active, it can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and even intestinal damage.
Basically, Crohn’s likes to turn my digestive system into a construction zone without obtaining the necessary permits.
Myasthenia Gravis, on the other hand, interferes with communication between nerves and muscles.
My particular form, MuSK-positive MG, involves antibodies that disrupt proteins necessary for proper nerve-to-muscle communication.
The result? Muscle weakness that can affect everything from my eyelids and neck to swallowing and breathing.
Imagine your brain telling your diaphragm, “Hey, we need to breathe,” and the communication system responding, “Message delivery failed.”
Excuse me?! Breathing is NOT optional! 😩😂
💜 Why Flares Aren’t Always What They Seem
Here’s something important I’ve learned.
Not every symptom means your autoimmune disease is becoming more active.
Abdominal discomfort doesn’t automatically mean Crohn’s inflammation has returned. Likewise, increased MG weakness doesn’t always mean the underlying autoimmune activity has increased.
Infections, heat, medications, and other factors can influence symptoms, depending on the condition.
And while both diseases involve the immune system, a Crohn’s flare and an MG exacerbation are not the same biological process.
Same immune system. Different departments. Different problems.
That’s also why treatments differ.
Crohn’s medications often target intestinal inflammation, while MG treatments focus on improving nerve-to-muscle communication or reducing the effects of harmful antibodies.
My MG treatment, Rystiggo, helps reduce circulating IgG antibodies, including those involved in MG.
Because apparently, simply asking my immune system to behave wasn’t effective. 🙄
🦋 Knowledge Is Part of Advocacy
Living with two autoimmune diseases has taught me that understanding my conditions matters.
I don’t need to become a medical expert, but I do want to understand what’s happening inside my body.
Why symptoms occur.
Why treatments differ.
And why something that works for one autoimmune disease may do absolutely nothing for another.
Because when you’re living with multiple chronic conditions, knowledge helps you ask informed questions and participate in decisions about your care.
And quite frankly, if these two roommates insist on living here rent-free, I’m going to learn everything I can about their behavior.
Somebody has to manage this building. 😂
💭 Reflection Corner
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that sharing an autoimmune diagnosis doesn’t mean two diseases follow the same rules.
Our bodies are complicated, and understanding them is an ongoing process.
I may not control every symptom or predict every change, but I can continue learning and advocating for myself.
Today’s reminder:
Understanding your disease doesn’t mean knowing everything. It means having enough knowledge to ask questions, recognize changes, and participate confidently in your healthcare.
And as for my immune system?
After more than two decades of Crohn’s and nearly three years of MG, I think it’s time for a formal performance evaluation.
Because somebody is definitely not meeting expectations. 😂💜
🎵 Music Playing…
“Confused” — Tevin Campbell 🎶
Because apparently, my immune system is just as confused about its responsibilities as I am about why it keeps attacking the very body it’s supposed to protect.
💬 Let’s Talk About It
Before your diagnosis, did you understand what an autoimmune disease actually was?
And if you live with more than one autoimmune condition, what surprised you most about how differently they affect your body?
Let’s learn from one another. 💜
💜 Until Next Time…
Living with one autoimmune disease is challenging. Living with two requires resilience, patience, humor, and a willingness to keep learning.
Welcome to The Dual Diagnosis Diaries, where I share the realities of navigating life with Crohn’s Disease and Myasthenia Gravis—one day, one treatment, and one lesson at a time.
Kia Lorice 💜
Founder • Author • Advocate • Future Wellness Coach
The Dual Diagnosis Diaries
https://thedualdiagnosisdiaries.com
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