Exerciseing With Disabilities

I have Myasthenia Gravis which is a form of Muscular Dystrophy, I would like to know some ways that I can burn calories with exercise that won't put me back in crisis again. I do some light walking, but I tire really easy beacause of the Myasthenia.  I have a hard time losing weight because I can't exercise like I should.  I was on prednisone for a while and gained 60lbs, and now I am having an awful time trying to get the weight back off.  Any ideas.

i would definately talk to your doctor.  im sure you are in good touch with him/her.  its good you are off that medicine..i had a similar thing happen to me...

i was taking keppra and gained weight... ithink it was the anxiety and depression alog with the meds... after being diagnosed in december with a brain tumor.  

i would check out your BMR and eat accordingly to that... and talk to your doctor about the exercise.  

MayoClinic.com is a good informative website (im getting my brain surgery at the rochester mayo clinic... they are a really good hospital)

 

Prednisone is the worst.  My mother was on it for YEARS to treat her MS.  She's been off of it for a while, and has lost a significant amount of weight from just watching what she ate.

Does the duration or intensity affect you more?  You mentioned walking, but what about using a stationary bike set at a low tension? 

 

loeloelaura- best of luck with your upcoming surgery. 

Lessee : NIH fact sheet, Mayo clinic overview page, the myasthenia foundation, and the Wikipedia page. (The google is strong in this one :-P)

 What I get from all of these is that you should most definitely talk everything over with your doctor - dieting is a significant stress on your body and the MG means you already have limited recuperative capacity. See if your doctor can recommend a specialist, or at the very least a physical theraphist experienced with your condition.

I am looking into getting a stationary bike now,  the intensity affects my muscles more, but long periods of exercise will do the same.  I have talked to my Dr. and he says I should try to exercise for small periods of time and take breaks in between, but it seems the weight just does not want to come back off.

I also have myasthenia gravis. I did not know it was a form of muscular dystrophy I was told it was a lot like multiple sclerosis. Anyway I am 32 and I was on prednisoe as well. Before pred I was 140 after pred I am 200. I had surgery in Nov. 07 and all of my symptoms are gone. Before the surgery I could not use my hands and arms...washing my hair was hard, getting dressed, etc. I also began having speech problems and swallowing issues. Since surgery (thymectomy) things are much better. I am slowly starting to workout again. Only problems I have now are with my eyes. I have double vision occasionally and my right eye tends to be a little droopy and lazy. I take Mestinon but hope to eventually not have to take anything!! Talk to your doctor for sure. I do not know how bad your situation is, but surgery was the best thing for me.

Let me know if you need anything!

 

Renee

I also have myasthenia gravis. I did not know it was a form of muscular dystrophy I was told it was a lot like multiple sclerosis. Anyway I am 32 and I was on prednisoe as well. Before pred I was 140 after pred I am 200. I had surgery in Nov. 07 and all of my symptoms are gone. Before the surgery I could not use my hands and arms...washing my hair was hard, getting dressed, etc. I also began having speech problems and swallowing issues. Since surgery (thymectomy) things are much better. I am slowly starting to workout again. Only problems I have now are with my eyes. I have double vision occasionally and my right eye tends to be a little droopy and lazy. I take Mestinon but hope to eventually not have to take anything!! Talk to your doctor for sure. I do not know how bad your situation is, but surgery was the best thing for me.

Let me know if you need anything!

Renee

I had Thymectomy surgery in 1996, it lasted for about 6 years then all symptoms returned, i was on a low dose of mestinon for that time period, but when it came back it was with a vengence, i had to have plasma pherisis several times, and they tried different medications, I ended up in a wheel chair for about 3 years and was completely helpless, I had to depend on others for even my daily needs.  My Dr. finally got me on an immunosuppresant called Prograf that has really improved my condition. I am not back to where I was after the Thymectomy, but I can walk and take care of my daily needs. I don't know what I would have done without my husband and family. So do some research on your Myasthenia, anything can set if off and cause you to have a relapse, even a cold.  The Myasthenia Gravis foundation has a great site, and also MDA.  Please research your condition because they don't always tell you everything, know what to watch for in a crisis of the Myasthenia.  Billie

I have been recently diagnosed with MG and just started taking prednisone today.  I immediately came home and signed back in to Calorie Count.  I cannot imagine gaining 20-60 lbs after just loosing 20 and getting myself back in shape. 

 

If you all have any advice for me please let me know.  I hope you all the best.