Management of MG
Survival Guide/Coping strategies
- Don’t stand when you can sit and don’t sit when you could be lying down.
- Schedule regular rest periods during the day. Conserve energy for important things such as chewing and swallowing, even breathing and when you feel your best you can exercise, do house cleaning or mow the lawn. Plan quieter activities when your energy is dwindling such as paying bills/computer work. Adjust to your limitations/do things differently.
- Reorganize daily tasks and reschedule some 3-4 times a week to allow for adequate rest each day.
- Delegate tasks to other family members: such as asking your children to help clean the kitchen, living room or their own room, or do the laundry. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Most of the time people are happy to be able to help; It not only helps you but it also makes them feel needed.
- Plan all activities and eliminate extra steps, assemble all the necessary equipment before beginning.
- Move frequently used devices or objects to low, easily accessible shelves for your convenience.
- Use a cart, wagon or basket to carry several things from one part of the house to another – eliminating unnecessary trips back and forth.
- To ease difficulty getting up from a sitting position, try leg extenders to elevate chairs.
- Use power tools, and electrical appliances, when possible, to conserve energy i.e. electric mixer, electric can opener, electric screwdriver, electric saw etc.
- Use walking aids if necessary for stabilization and support. Install grab bars in your home, or use a cane, walker or wheelchair as needed.
- Try a shoulder pad or intercom phone to completely free your hands when talking on the telephone.
- Avoid hot and cold weather extremes; they exaggerate weakness.
- Avoid aerosol pesticides and cleaners, since they may trigger or aggravate symptoms.
- (Many pesticides contain neuromuscular paralyzing agents and may adversely affect the MG patient.)
- Avoid excessive alcoholic drinks, tonic water (contains quinine – a drug which is a muscle relaxant) and smoking.
- Avoid any medication or activities that you know make you weaker.
- Avoid stressful situations.
- Seek professional counseling when dealing with depression
Kitchen Tips
- When preparing food – chopping, dicing, etc., use a food processor.
- Use a mixing bowl holder that holds the bowl for mixing and then tilts for pouring.
- Look for various kitchen gadgets and aids in catalogs to help you.
- Transfer heavier bulk items, such as sugar and flour into smaller containers easier to lift and handle.
- Use light-weight cordless kitchen appliances when available.
Shopping Tips
- Shop by yourself only when you need a few items, saving big shopping trips for other family members, or shop with a friend or family member who can assist with the shopping cart and carrying groceries.
- Allow a grocery clerk to help you load your groceries.
- If fatigued when you arrive home, unload only the perishables and leave the heavy items in the car for a family member or friend to unload.
- Shop by telephone or email when possible. (Check into an errand service)
- Obtain a handicapped parking sticker.
- Avoid peak shopping days.