The Adverse Effects of Heat and Cold When You Have MG

I live in the mid-south where extreme hot weather is the norm late spring through early fall. The heat is accompanied with high humidity. Winter brings pleasant days as well as cold days, even occasionally into the single digits.

Many people with myasthenia gravis (MG) have problems with 1 or both temperature extremes. Since everyone with MG is different, some react worse than others. The thyroid can also cause the body to react to temperatures. What’s another disease that often accompanies myasthenia gravis? You guessed it! Thyroid disease.^1,2

Temperature sensitivities

I love being outside. My problems with hot and cold temperatures range in severity! As a general rule, the heat doesn’t bother me a lot. However, when the humidity is high, I do have issues. I feel claustrophobic and have a great deal of difficulty breathing.

My chest gets heavy and sleepiness accompanies it. This sometimes also happens in the winter, if warm air blows into my face or the room gets too hot. I end up sleeping with a fan on just to move the air around the room, even during the winter. Running the fan helps me breathe.

In the summer, I like to work in my garden and the temperatures here can reach the mid-90s to a little over 100 degrees. Many times, the humidity is over 50 percent, and the heat index can be 10 degrees higher or more than the actual temperature, making it difficult for me to breathe.

We try to work in our garden either early in the morning or after about 5 PM or 6 PM. However, there are times I have to garden or water the plants during the hottest part of the day, so I try to work in the shade as much as possible. Last summer, the heat and humidity were horrible, so I had to change my routine and do more gardening in the evening and sometimes even after dark.

Hypothyroidism and MG

Because I have both hypothyroidism and myasthenia gravis, I have a double whammy! They both react to the climate. Cold is usually far worse for me than heat!

Cold causes me severe stress and pain. It’s difficult to describe, but the cold affects me in such a way that I have to fight away the tears and pain.

Once the temperatures drop below 65 or 70 degrees, I’d be content if I could just stay indoors in front of a heater or fireplace!

Getting outside

However, that doesn’t get me outside. Being outside for a short time, regardless of the temperature, is important. It’s usually the best source of fresh air and vitamin D. So, I have to bundle up and go outside. Hot or cold, getting outside is important to our health!

Especially where cold is concerned, I plan my outings when I can avoid the coldest days. For me, the cold is extremely miserable! I’m always trying to figure out ways or make excuses so I can stay indoors.

I know I need to get outside, but all I want to do during cold weather is hibernate. However, on pretty, warmer days, I’m usually outside at least for a little while. How do you handle the heat and cold?