Exercise and PT
At 80 I expected to have some loss of strength but suspect that my weakness in legs and arms is due to MG. Blood tests haven't confirmed that but no other possible cause can be confirmed.
I was prescribe physical therapy to restore strength, but I found that all it did was tire me out with no resulting return of strength after recovery.
I'm at a stage where I can only get out of chairs unaided if there are chair arms or a very stable table.
Am I missing the boat by not doing any strength training? Or would I be wasting strength with no subsequent gain?
I’m a 75yr old male diagnosed with MG ten months ago. Started PT five months ago. My endurance level maxed out at 1500 steps daily. After five months of PT I am up to 5,000 steps. To accomplish this I utilized machines for upper body strength and the treadmill to build endurance. My goal was to add time on the treadmill every fourth day, preferably 5 minutes minutes. Often it was just one or two minutes. Current goal is 8,000 seps by October 1.
the progress you have made is wonderful! I hope you are able to meet your current goal. We’re rooting for you💚. All my best, Julie (team member)
I and a male physical therapist that didn't believe I was trying to get out of my too low recliner.. He let me stranded in that chair on a pillow. I had to get a friend help me get out of the chair. I called his service and told them not to send him back. Apparently it was a joke about my demand. It is your right to have a physical therapist that respects your limitations. Anyway, I had several physical therapist that read up on the condition and paced my physical therapy sessions. I'll confess that I didn't do the exercises between appointments . I live alone and took care of myself and my home that to me was the important 'therapy' for me. Listen to your body and save your strength for what is important to you. I still use a cane outside and a rolling walker on longer walking situations but I walk unassisted inside and take care of my home and myself.
I’m sorry your physical therapist didn’t respect your limitations and left you stranded like that. That wasn’t fair to you. You’re right, we do know our bodies best and have to advocate for ourselves. Everyone has different needs and priorities, and those should be respected. I hope you are doing well today. All my best, Julie (team member) 
1st off this "Therapist" leaving you stranded in a chair that you could not get out of and then you needing to get a friend to help you out is ABUSE by that therapist!! I am so sorry that you had to endure this type of abuse!!! I know what my profile says but that was edited not by me incorrectly wrong... I was a Domestic Abuse Advocate for 10 years!! People with disabilities are more likely to be abused by.... EVERYONE!! I am glad that you know you and knew this was NOT the way you should be treated!! We teach other how to treat us by how we treat ourselves!! Our All of our Dr.'s/ therapist, and health provider should be willing to learn about the condition of the person they are caring for, if they don't, they should not be working in that field. This is my opinion!! Hugs to you and glad you are able to care for yourself!! Sally Farrier... Myasthenia-Gravis.com (team member).
I agree any activity I try to preserve my energy. I.e. sit down when doing my hair, sit down when putting my0 clothes on.
I'm 53 and I do all of the above and more. I was told to focus on an activity and stick with it.
I line dance. I like Line Dancing because I can go at my own speed. This keeps me active no matter what. I also lost weight, changed my eating and this has helped me tremendously.
It's a struggle and that chronic fatigue is no joke. I managed to overcome my other health issues as well. I was diagnosed in 2004 and now it's 2023 and I only take Mestinon if I need it.
Well now I couldn't tell you the last time I had it. My doctor I had who diagnosed me at one point told me I needed to take steroids and I told her i will find another way. I lost weight. She tells all her student doctors my story. I know everyone is different.
I also take vitamin B2 Riboflavin which helped reduce my migraines and gives me the energy.
Maybe you have to find other ways to build your strength. I found mine
Maybe water aerobics. You have to find something you enjoy that may help you stick with it and lead you to a place of strength.
ITCDave 80 years young, Wow!! We who have MG, but our blood work is negative are called Seronegative. I am 61 years young. And extremely strong for a female when my muscles are working... Strength training, for me any prolonged movement be it strength training/ physical therapy, feeding myself, brushing my hair, riding in a car, sitting up strait, etc. just wears me out, quickly. The more wore out I get the longer it takes to get strength back even with medication/treatments & rest. It like running your car on empty/fumes all the time. Never getting a full tank. Even with a "full take MG makes my body a "fuel hog" I get just a bit of running time before empty again. Now some can do that type of physical active with MG. But we are all different. I have had this for a long time without diagnosis or treatment. At one point (before diagnosis) I was bed ridden because my muscles were so spent for almost 2 years. Knowing your own limits and not letting anyone tell you different you are the expert of your body.... Dr.'s & therapist are not the lump everyone together we are all different!! Best Wishes!! ❄️Sally Farrier...Myasthenia-Gravis.com (team member).
