Sorry to hear you have difficulties.

I tried to walk as much as I could. Sometimes not very much, but most days I could do some. In the cold winter of Minnesota, walking indoors, pushing a shopping cart at the big mall or big stores was easiest. The interesting items to look at in the stores motivated me more than an exercise machine. There were benches to sit down most places--so one could recover too. Being retired helps.

If you don't exercise, it is easy to lose muscles and condition, so even a little is better than none. I don't think you need to push yourself to do strenuous exercise, but modestly trying to do things is good, and probably some strenuous exercise when you can is likely fine too.

There is some info at
http://www.myastheniagravis.org/mgfi_exercise.aspx
Good Luck!

I bicycle and it is great. I try to get out a least a couple days a week. You go at your own pace, depending on your strength for the day. You see much more of your surroundings than in a car, and it is very relaxing. I did find out that if you buy a really good brand of bike, that it is much easier to ride than a cheap bike. The gears switch effortlessly, and you can actually ride twice as far with less effort [or at least it seems that way!] I keep making modifications to my bike to help with my symptoms, but even that is enjoyable.

I'm looking forward to hearing what others do and maybe get some ideas. Hope you are doing well today.

Good Morning, all,
I have a treadmill and can walk 1 mile in 20 min's. LOL, I used to run 5k's. also, I have an old telephone pole outside that I use as a 'step' exercise. it's higher than regular steps. I'm up to 28 steps on each leg. I started out at 5, so I'm doing pretty well. I have 2 lb wts that I'm going to start with while sitting on a balance ball. LOL again - I used to lift 20lb wts while standing on a Bosu (rubber 1/2 ball)doing lifts. so it's really about starting -something- and working up to more. If I had access to a pool, I would swim... Ann says that has helped her a lot.I believe my running days are over as I don't want to have a moment of imbalance, and fall.
I think that you could do whatever you were doing, but on a very small scale. That has worked for me. I have a longgggg ways to go, but I am happy that I can do something (not every day.)
Be well,

I believe that when I do not exercise, I get sicker. Right now I've not been exercising, and I seem to be getting worse each day. The muscles that I have kept strong (my leg muscles) allow me to stand and walk, even when I'm having much difficulty, whereas my arms can become so weak that I can't hold anything. My doctor said that strenuous exercise cannot hurt you long term, but it will make you feel worse if you overdo it. He told me to do only that from which I could recover within the day or preferably within a few hours in order to maximize building muscle, etc. Strength training is probably critical, even though cardio has benefits. I still attempt to run, cycle, pool run, lift weights, and do core strength workouts. Good luck to you!

I need to exercise more -- I always feel crappy right after a workout, but the next day I feel fantastic.

The key is to know your body. I would not exercise in high humidity or over-exercise. Also I have a problem with my ankles that comes from the MG and if I overdo it, I can barely walk.

The book by Henderson, "Attacking Myasthenia Gravis" (2002), the doctor is a huge proponent of exercise as a way of conditioning yourself against the effects of MG. He has a trainer come by his house at 5 a.m. to lead him in workouts!

Henderson is a retired doctor and quite wealthy, so this is not an option for me. But if I had my druthers I would quit my job and spend several hours in the gym every day.

Thanks for the inspiration -- I am off to the gym! ~Joe

Gardening and Tai Chi are my exercises of choice. Gardening on good days (weatherwise) and Tai Chi primarily in the winter. Tai Chi has the advantage of being able to do it at home (once learned), can be modified for problems (good instructor), and is non repetitive although series are repeated. It is excellent exercise for balance which helps prevent falls. b.

I've been VERY concerned about my lack of exercise, though I do walk one to two times a day. My lack of exercise only makes it worse for the heart attack that I had last year. I would like to ride my bike, but I'm using a walking stick all the time as a result of neuropothy and mg effecting my leg muscles. and am therefore very worried about falling when getting on or off. I've considered a recombent trike, and actually met a man who belongs to the GA mg support group who rides one, but also an owner of said type store in Florida who credits his remission on riding one.

There's no question that physical activity should be a part of our battle against MG. Whether we call it exercise or P.T. - or something else.
My muscle tone has declined tremendously, over the last 8-months.
As I continue to recover, I have to remember & realize: that mild-exercise, the only level that I can sustain - is essential in regaining some muscle-tone.
I get in a 1/4-mile or less walk, most days. However, some sort of daily resistance training - is also needed, even just mild calesthenics.
- Ross
Thanks to everyone, for this post and the other posts, addressing the need for exercise of some sort. The discussion has been just the sort of reminder that I have needed. I'm not flat on my back in a hospital bed anymore. And I need to make a better effort.

I love exercising as self-medication, because it decreases my MG symptoms and makes me feel better in general (mentally as well as emotionally). I think that exercise can have an anti-inflammatory (or immune suppressive) effect, in fact, before I had MG I remember I used to like to go running when I had a cold because my symptoms would be decreased for several hours afterwards. Plus, as everyone seems to agree, since we already have enough trouble moving, it's important to keep as much muscles tone and fitness as we can.

In the past year, I have been going on lots of walks, and when I feel good (which is most of the time now) I go running. And then things like pushups and strength training. I don't push myself too hard if I start to feel tired or have trouble breathing, but getting even a little exercise makes me feel great, usually. I think the days when I'm the most tired and crappy-feeling are when I have to sit still all day at work.

I just began doing a low impact cardio workout for beginners that I found on youtube.
I adjust it when I can because I do not have as much balance, but I found the more I do it, the easier it becomes.

It gives lots of breaks which is something that I need. AND SHOCKINGLY, I feel pretty good after. Now I am scared to stop working out :(.
Hope this helps.

I do swimming
The water gives me support. The Y has water arobic classes and stretch classes. It has really helped me. There was a time exercise made me worse. Now it makes me better. Hard line. 5 days too much. I swim 3 days a week and I am good.

Make sure you are at your strongest when you exercise for consistent results. We MUST exercise whenever possible...stay active or the muscles get weaker even faster.

Good luck

Let's see what others have said about exercise:
Aerobics: a series of strenuous exercises which help convert fats, sugars, and starches into aches, pains, and cramps.
-Unknown

If your dog is fat, you're not getting enough exercise.
-Unknown

I have to exercise in the morning before my brain figures out what I'm doing.
-Marsha Doble

Walking can add time to your life. This enables you at 89 years old to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing home at $7000 per month.

I walk about 2 miles a day in the morning and usually about 1 mile the rest of the day. Twice a day I lift light weights. I am spending the summer in the Az mt to escape the heat. I have decided to use the time fishing, and getting my strength back. Will

I try to walk every day but if I am too tired I pass. Same with the gym I go when I am able and don't go more than two days in a row. I know the exercise many days makes the MG worse but I refuse to give in. I believe you just have to know when to stop. Many days I have stopped midway through a workout or cut short a walk. My nueros in the past thought I was nuts, oh well. My present nuero seems to agree that exercise is good but be careful not to overdue it.
Have a nice day.
Al