Has anyone noticed that seltzer makes them weaker? Today I realized that I feel weaker and cough more when I drink seltzer. I was recently diagnosed and not sure if seltzer is one of the things that I should be avoiding.

Hi, Sunflower. If by seltzer water you mean tonic water, yes, it will can make you weaker. Why? It contains Quinine. That does the opposite of Mestinon. Other things to avoid, besides some drugs, are certain eye drops with Atropine.

Please always research what you are drinking or eating! Tonic water may not contain a lot of Quinine but, for some people, it's enough to make them much weaker.

Welcome to the forum, BTW.

Annie

Thank you, Annie!! It's nice to know I am not crazy. Sorry for the long response- I haven't been well again. I was diagnosed in February with general MG after being sick for several months with an undiagnosed illness and was told that I have actually had MG for 15 years (I am now 25), because my double vision and ptosis presented at age 10 but my opthamologist never made the connection.

Again thank you again for the information. I think my doctors were so concerned with getting me stable that everyone forgot to explain the do's and don'ts of the disease and now I am learning by trial and error. I thought there were just medications that I had to avoid and lifestyle changes to make- looks like I need to have a serious chat with my neurologist when I see her in 2 weeks.

Looks like I am going to have to find a new drink of choice (I hate traditional soda) because since I cannot drink alcohol I usually just drink seltzer/tonic water with lime to masquerade as a gin & tonic at a party/wedding so I can avoid all of the "why aren't you drinking questions". Maybe that has been what has been fatiguing me - I've been blaming all of the getting ready, length of day and heels.

- Nicole

Nicole, Are you kidding me? I was misdiagnosed at age 10 with lazy eye! I'm 53 now, so they didn't know as much back then but still. Lazy eye is usually permanent by 10 and it doesn't fluctuate. And it's not a disease in and of itself but is caused by things like ptosis or MG.

Look back at your old school or other photos for ptosis. I have had fluctuating/fatigable ptosis since shortly after birth. Photos can clearly document that.

I drink LaCroix Lime. All I drink is that or other water. And that one cup of coffee per day. Coffee is good for you and an afternoon cup might help get you through the rest of your day.

Go easy on your neuro. Believe it or not, a lot of them don't know all of the MG info there is. What else do you want to know? Ask these guys on the forum questions! You don't need to be going into a crisis!

Who cares if people don't like that you don't drink alcohol! If people can't accept you for who you are, are they true friends? If they care, they'd want to make sure to HELP support you in doing things to keep you from dying.

I hope you continue to be stable. Be careful out in hot weather because that can tank you very quickly. Even a minute in a hot store or car or outside can make me worse. Take it easy.

Annie