Myasthenia Gravis is disease that is not known to most people.  Because of this, unfortunately, there is not a lot of research to find new treatments or a cure.  Whenever I tell someone that I have MG, they almost always respond with “What’s that?”.  Well, I’ve had MG for 23 years.  It has often consumed my life, but I haven’t let it beat me!  What does it feel like to have MG? 

Wrap an ACE bandage around your chest as tight as you can and then try to run around the block.  Kinda hard to breathe, isn’t it?  When I have trouble breathing – it feels just like this – an ACE bandage wrapped tight around my chest. 

Strap a 5lb weight to your head and then try to move your head forward and back.  Try to eat dinner with the weight on the back of your head.  My head feels so heavy sometimes!  I often will have to hold my head up when I eat.

Hold your arms up at your side until they start to feel very heavy and you want to put them down.  That is what mine feel like most of the time. 

Anything that the body does that requires a muscle contraction can be difficult for me.  And that includes my eye sight, talking, and swallowing. 

Each MG patient is different.  We all have different symptoms and respond differently to treatment.  Some only have eye symptoms.  Others, like me, have generalized MG with respiratory symptoms.  Please take a few moments this month to learn more about MG and to support MG research.  And wear a teal ribbon to support MG awareness.

Some sites to learn more:

www.myasthenia.org

www.mda.org

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/myasthenia_gravis/detail_myasthenia_gravis.htm