Exercise improves MG?
 

Hi guys,

I came upon a discovery- Exercise seems to be improving my MG- even short-term!

Since I started reducing my dosage of prednisone, I've felt increased strength in the muscles that weren't really affected by MG. My cognitive abilities have improved as well, as well as energy levels. So I have all of this pent-up energy at times, and I've wanted to burn it somehow, so decided to do some aerobic/dance for a few hours the last few days.

What I've noticed is that when my heart rate goes up, if I was having weakness in my tongue/palate previously, it goes away for the duration of the exercising. Is that weird, or what? It's like I'll barely be able to move my tongue, then I'll start jumping jacks or something else that I don't know how to describe (bad at exercising terms), and I'll be able to move it again.

I trolled around the net and other MG forums, and found that others had a similar experience. One person theorized that because the heart's pumping harder, this increases blood flow much more and maybe spreads out the antibodies, almost diluting them. I don't know if that's true or not, but it seems to work. I also notice that when I start the exercising, I'm weak, but then my overall strength/endurance increase throughout the remainder of the exercising. I don't really get weaker as I progres, but get stronger at first, and maintain the same level of strength throughout (in the other muscles, like top of arms and legs).

I'm really excited about this because I feel great that my ability to exercise is increasing the more I'm doing it, thereby improving my health, and it also seems to help the MG.

I hope that after a few months of this, maybe I'll get much better, and who knows. All I know is that it's making me feel better mentally, emotionally and physically.

I hope you guys are doing well!:)
Nicky

That sounds very encouraging. I really miss exercising but I might try to ease back into it!:winky:

That is wonderful to hear! I am so glad it is helping you, anything that makes us feel better is great and I hope you get stronger and stronger!

Nicky,

This is great!

My experiences are similar to yours, although I can't do to much aerobic exercises for some reason, I have noticed that exercise does seem to help my MG.

I think it does have something to do with blood flow. My worst days are the days when I sit around a lot or if I work too much at doing any one thing. My best days are when I mix in small amounts of exercise with relaxation between.

Thanks.

I don't want to be a downer ladies, but please take it slow. This disease can sometimes turn around and bite you in the butt! ;)

Big Hugs,
Pat

Thanks, guys!:grouphug:

I wish that we all lived closer to oneanother so we could exercise together at our own 'MG' pace. :)

P.S. Wouldn't it be cool, though, if we could all somehow meet in person? I think that it'd definately help with the isolated feelings, and even beating the severity of the sx just knowing that you could meet other sufferers like once a month or something.

Nicky

I would love that Nicky! We've all become so close, even if it is just over the internet. We sure do share a special bond that others couldn't begin to understand. If it weren't for this horrible economy, we might have been able to pick a state to all get together for a weekend. Of course that wouldn't help our members in other countries though or those too ill to travel. Oh, well it sure would have been fun!:D

Hugs,
Pat

Sorry, guys, I'm going to be a bit of a downer. :hug:

Exercise in general is good for MG because a stronger muscle helps. But people like Tyson (sorry, you are a good example right now) should NOT exercise when their MG is bad.

I'm just concerned that someone might read this and think they can get their autoimmune disease better by exercising. I know that YOU guys "get it" but what if someone hasn't done all the research?

On a more positive note . . .

If you haven't tried the "Body Blade," it is simply amazing. I did a bunch of research before I got it. It is simple. You can use it sitting or standing. You get more bang for your buck/time. It exercises more than one muscle at once (which could be bad for people with MG). It's fun. And it's relatively inexpensive (shop NBC has a good price).

I'm jazzed about it. It's a lot of fun to use and, therefore, motivating.

Sorry to be a downer, Nicky, but I don't want anyone out there going into a crisis. I think exercise may be one of the most frustrating things about having MG.

Annie

Yes, it would be VERY cool if we lived in a housing area built by Warren Buffet or Bill Gates (for free) that included free transport to anywhere, including MG experts. ;)

Hey,

No, you are right, Annie...Tyson actually came to mind when I started my post and I was a bit worried about it (sorry Tyson!:o)...If you've got diaphragm weakness, I definately think that you have to be very careful with exercise, avoid it, or be careful in general, no matter where the weakness is...We have to listen to our bodies, and know when to give it a rest...

My sister got this 20-min. aerobic video of the woman from 'The Biggest loser.' She's going to bring it over on Thursday, and we're going to try it out...

Do any of you guys know what is a good exercise for the back of the thighs? The front of my thighs have developed some muscles, but the backs are sorta dumpy...lol...I'm able to exercise my butt, thighs, calve muscles, but those back of the thigh muscles are begging to be uplifted...Also, what's a good one for back fat....I think that the Cushing's introducing itself in the lipodystrophy depot, and it hasn't been welcomed! lol

I so agree, Pat! But the net will have to do, which is okay!:)
Nicky

Nicky

I just received two Yoga DVD's I ordered from Amazon.com at a very resonable price. 'Yoga For Inflexible People' and Yoga for Weight Loss...beginners & beyond. Now I need to get an exercise/yoga mat, because my Mickey Mouse beach towel just doesn't cut it!;)

Hugs,
Pat