Posted in the wrong spot - again - hate MG "brain fog"! LOL

Why do people with MG have breathing problems? My neuro (who is also a nuerophysiologist)told me that MG does not effect the lungs.............so why do most people with MG have breathing problems.....

I have general MG - first I am very, very weak, then I have wonky eye, then swallowing, ets, but breathing is the last thing to go.....in fact I never had problems until I was so weak that I went into "crisis" mode.......

Do most of you have general MG? Why/how does it effect breathing?

Thanks!
ERin

I was told by a lung specialist & neuro, that the muscles in the lungs are weakened, just like all the other muscles in the body, your heart is a muscle also, & is sometimes effected.
Mary

Erin, MG effects all skeletal muscles. That includes the muscles that surround your lungs. Think about what your chest muscles do when you take a deep breath in and/or out. Until you do that, you may not be aware that those muscles actually help you to breathe, even though breathing is involuntary (meaning it happens without you having to think about it).

So when those chest wall muscles get weaker, it becomes more difficult to breathe. Those "core" muscles, as physical therapists call them, are very important to keep in good shape (when and if you can, MG permitting). The abdominal muscles are considered the core muscles too - anything around your mid-section.

What makes those particular muscles weaker is speaking, sitting for too long, walking for too long, etc. Laughing even! I had an exacerbation after simply talking to some family members who came into town.

So keeping your "core" coolish can help with reducing the muscle weakness. It's often what gets heated up in the summer months.

Whenever my back or chest muscles cramp or spasm, I know I'm in trouble. You always want to try to avoid overdoing those muscles.

Does that help?

There are parts of the GI tract that are affected by MG and that can reduce what is called peristalsis. It's how fast food moves through your system. That's partly why some people have issues with Mestinon and some don't. Also, you need acetylcholine to make stomach acid. Too much equals more acid. I don't have any stomach acid - Mestinon gives me absolutely no GI side effects (or any others).

The idea of the heart being affected by MG is debatable. It's a different kind of muscle. I'm too tired to write about it today.

Annie

Hey Mary! How are you today? I am tired, dog tired, but last nite was worth it! We celebrated my hubby's 46th bday @ a karaoke place - see absolutely stunk up that stage, but did it with FLAIR, baby!

I am just waiting to get over the "hump" and try and feel better most of the time - not just have spurts of energy, cuz' my dr chewed me out about my weight gain..........pred gotta love it!

Thanks for the info! I really appreciate it!

Big hugs!
Erin

Sorry to hear you are feeling tired today......MG stinks!

I used to have a 6 pack - now I have a keg! LOL! I was able to get on the EFX today and walk .5 mile - YAY!

I think (hope and pray) that I'll be able to keep it up, cuz' me dr s worried about my weight gain..........not a glutton but am just packing it on!

THank you for the info!

Big hugs (and hope you feel stronger soon)
Erin




[QUOTE=

So when those chest wall muscles get weaker, it becomes more difficult to breathe. Those "core" muscles, as physical therapists call them, are very important to keep in good shape (when and if you can, MG permitting). The abdominal muscles are considered the core muscles too - anything around your mid-section.

Annie great post, you exlained it perfect ! Erin you party animal !!! LOL....
Mary

I'll try and find a way to post the pics - I like all of you too much to post the videos........you'd go deaf! Terrible!

Big hugs!
Erin

My breathing troubles come when I walk up stairs. I live in a 2 story house and my school classroom is on the 2nd floor. I am so out of breath when I walk up the stairs, I huff and puff, I feel like such a wimp.

I also get those chest spasms. They hurt so bad too, take my breath away.

MG effects voluntary muscles and believe it or not breathing in voluntary. I was told this years ago and I was very surprised by it. Heart muscle is not voluntary so I don't worry about my heart, but my lungs have problems anyway and the MG just makes it worse.

is'nt the breathing diferculties the issue that most of us MG 'ers are confused with.............
and we get conflicting advise ive never had a crisis so far but have had quite a few close calls were if became almost inposibe to breath huge gasps
i was told by my neuro that its when you have an infection your more at risk
but that still confuses me i can walk for miles i can even try and run and never have a breathing problen but other things bring it on fast like climbing up or down a ladder sweeping with a brush
alan