Cold weather
Does cold weather impact your myasthenia gravis symptoms? Do things like fatigue, muscle cramping/weakness get worse when the weather is colder? If so, what do you do to manage these symptoms?
I have trouble with both cold and heat, but primarily heat. Hot baths are out of the question. I get weak in cold weather but warm clothes keep me going. Hot weather, on the other hand, is debilitating, even dangerous. I once walked into a hot garage (maybe 110 degrees) and was very nearly unable to walk out.
As a long term hiker, who LOVEs winter hiking, my diagnosis has me being very restrictive on my winter hiking activities. I just can't take the risk of being above tree line with full face covering and not being able to breath through the extra layers, so I limit my hikes to ones with very little exposure (above tree line), dress like it it 20 degrees colder than it is so I can stop (a lot) and take breaks, do not push myself to the point where I'm struggling to breath, once my breathing is heavy, I stop, rest then restart and go slow. So far for me it is the breathing which gets me the worst, my legs, so far are far less impacted. But yes, the cold air makes breathing more challenging.
Hi there, and welcome to our awesome community! We are excited to have you here. I completely understand your situation. Winter hiking can be such a rewarding experience, but it definitely comes with its challenges. It sounds like you have a solid strategy for managing your hikes. Knowing when to take breaks is so important. It's great that you're listening to your body and not pushing yourself too hard. Have you found any particular trails that work well for you during the winter? Stay safe out there! -Jodi, Team Member
Some of my neurological symptoms may not be from MG but some other mystery ailment so I’m not sure if the changes I experience in the cold season is related to MG you’re not. But I do notice cold weather causes me to be more spastic in my movements and have frequent rope burn type feelings on my limbs. Not every day and not generally for more than eight hours at a time.
Have you looked into Raynaud's syndrome as a possible answer for those symptoms? -Jodi, Team Member
- i’ve looked into this some, and I don’t think my symptoms correspond very well with that ailment. The doctor tells me my cold hands and feet are more neurological than they are from circulation problems.
I have trouble breathing
I keep my time outdoors short usually car to store. Lucky to have attached garage. My walking is done in stores, etc. Also do exercises and line dancing at the senior center. This is also my summer routine in hot humid weather
40 degrees is the low and 75 to 80 degrees (depending on the humidity) is the highest. Also do not tolerate the sun so on summer sunny days so wear a sun blocking jacket so I can tend my gardens.
At 86 I have found my triggers and try to avoid themHey there! We are glad to hear from you 😀 It's been a while. You're really managing your health with a lot of thought and care. It's great that you’ve identified your triggers and are taking steps to avoid them. It can be challenging to navigate outdoor activities in the heat and humidity. Engaging in exercises and line dancing is a fantastic way to stay active and interact with others. We hope you have been well! Jodi, Team Member
