The Smile Problem
 

Hi, everyone. I'm new here and was diagnosed with MG in August (although symptoms started about 6 months before). My symptoms remain quite mild at this point but one thing that is persistent and extremely annoying is the slow deterioration of my smile. Mestinon helps but it isn't doing enough. My facial muscles tire within minutes of laughing (sometimes seconds!). Does anyone have any tips for this problem? Have you discovered some sort of secret to be able to continue to physically smile?

If there's a secret I don't anything about it, but I wish I did. It would be nice to be able to smile and look like I'm smiling. :D

I sure wish I knew the secret. I hate I can't smile at children.
Mike

I preserve my smile.

In the early days of my illness I would walk into my clinic and smile at everyone like I usually did. Within a short period I looked very sad and couldn't smile any more.

I learned to smile briefly and than stop. This way I could always smile at someone again.

People don't look at how long you smile at them, they just notice if you smile or not.

Although, there are times when I am sure I am smiling and then realize that I look like a sad puppy. (if someone happens to take a picture at that time).

And there are times when people ask me why I am sad (when I am not).

But, there are many more times in which I have a perfectly normal smile (even if for a brief period, but no one knows).