caret icon Back to all discussions

How do you balance exercise and MG?

We all know exercise is a key part of being/getting healthy, but overexertion is also a key part to triggering MG symptoms. Is there any tips or hacks to balancing exercise while trying not to trigger any symptoms?

  1. Began to use resistance bands at moderately high resistance a few months ago. They have made a difference. The advantage is that they are in the house and, depending on the day, I can workout for thirty minutes or so or parcel out various exercises throughout the day. No driving, parking, or membership fees involved. I has been going well for a mid-70s year old man. Walking is a problem, a major downer for a man who ran for 29 years. But, that is MG. It is my choice if I want to whine about not being able to run (or walk very far) or to be grateful that I was able to do it for so long. I was diagnosed in 2009 and have used mestinon since and, as of 2019, have been on mycophenolate with fairly good effect.

  2. How does one differentiate between exercise- induced weakness and shortness of breath and MG-induced muscle weakness and shortness of breath?
    I'm not crazy overweight but I've not exercised for many years because of sciatica. I'm now all healed from back surgery but I need to take off excess weight from being sedentary.
    Advice?

    1. Hello,

      I found these articles about exercising safely with MG. I hope that they are helpful 😀

      Chelley (Team Member)

      https://myasthenia-gravis.com/exercise

      https://myasthenia-gravis.com/forums/what-exercise-routines-do-you-enjoy-with-mg

  3. I have the myasthenia gravis for more than 10 years and I have noticed that all those days without exercising I feel much worse than days when I spend some time in gym or day after. Unfortunately I cannot visit my gym more than two times a week. But if I could I would visit it more often

  4. This is interesting. I’ve had MG for about 7 years and recently went through 16 PT sessions for hip pain. The sessions were two a week for one hour. The results were very positive but I was really surprised at how sore I was and how long it lasted. I was still sore after four days. Btw, I am 74. It has just now occurred to me that my MG may be the reason. In any case, it was worth it for relieving my pain and improving my strength and general wellbeing. I am taking up walking to try to maintain my strength.

Please read our rules before posting.