My Muscles with Myasthenia Gravis

Our muscles are funny things. If we don't use them, we lose them. Our muscles have memory and remember how to do things. But when you have myasthenia gravis (MG) it puts a whole new spin it.

My symptoms progressed

In my younger days I used to be very physically active. Although I had MG at the time, I was undiagnosed and it was causing very few problems. My main issues were in my hands - I just couldn't write for very long or my hands got tired.

Over the years it progressed to having trouble breathing. Then other muscles would seem to get tired quickly, like my legs, arms, and neck. It built up to full blown flares. After each flare it would back off, but the symptoms never completely went away.

Keeping my muscles healthy

As time went on, it was more noticeable to me and those around me that my muscles didn't always work. However, I never let this stop me. I would find ways to get things done, on my own terms and in my own ways.

In between the flares I would still try and stay as physically active as I could. Myasthenia gravis does cause problems for our muscles, and for me personally, I need to keep those working as good as possible.

There is a fine line between overdoing it and not doing enough to keep my muscles healthy. When I don't do enough my muscles get worn out quickly, but it's a different feeling than when they get worn out from doing too much.

I listen to what my body is telling me. If I feel tired, I don't push it, I rest. If I decide to push myself a little bit, I do not push to the point of exhaustion. It took me a few times to figure out how far I can push without having to spend the next week not being able to do anything. However, this is not during a flare. If I am flaring, I just rest.

Like I said, our muscles have memory and if we don't use them, we lose them. So, each and every time I've ever had a flare it's like preschool all over again. I have to learn what I'm able to do physically.

Staying active

One of the main reasons is because I try and stay physically active, besides keeping my muscles healthy, is because I want to be as self-reliant as I can, for as long as I can. Many people just chalk up the lack of physical activity to aging. It isn't for me. I have always put physical activity as one of the more important things, but now I know I have MG.

Currently, I have a walker and a power wheelchair. I cannot go walking through a mall or any long-distance walking without assistance and I don't think that's ever going to change, exercise or not.

But for now, out of my flare, I am able to do some stuff. I will continue to do what I can to keep the muscle mass and strength as healthy as it can be in between the flares.