Myasthenia Gravis Support Group

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating muscle weakness and fatiguability. The hallmark of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that increases during periods of activity and improves after periods of rest. Although myasthenia gravis may affect any voluntary muscle, muscles that control eye and eyelid movement, facial expression, and...

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Assistive devices and short cuts

ahpotts72
ahpotts72
I read on an older post about some ways that others have learned to cope with the tasks that take the most out of us. I am wondering if there are other devices or short cuts used to make it through the day?

I do have a handicap placard and a cane but currently my husband uses the can more than I do but it's there in case I need it. I only use the placard if I need it and I am thankful for having it. We also have a "grabber" to pick things up when they fall which happens all too often. We also recently invested in a bidet which some may find yucky but it is a very helpful tool when movement and strength are impossible.

Anyway, what other methods have you used to get by? I'm hoping that reading your methods can be used by others to improve their quality of life.

Thanks for your feedback.

Angie
mgot
mgot
Augh, yesterday's post doesn't show. Target. Com has a dryer holder for 14.95 on line store only. The base looks shorter and possibly less stable and the holder doesn't say one size fits all like the Patterson. But the Patterson is way more expensive so I would try targets first. Patterson does have several stands to hold heavy milk jugs and hot water plug in type kettles. They have key holder aids and the under cupboard jar openers and a ton of other aids. Not the cheapest but lots of stuff in one catalog. Lots of times just seeing the products gives you ideas of things you already have or new ways to do things. Hope the Target hair drier is helpful. I rest my arm on the counter and flex my head upside down. Then the weight is propped on the counter, but I have very thin fast drying hair.
snowbeltfolkie
snowbeltfolkie
re: adaptive strategies. In another life, the statement following, would have sounded odd to me.
But with MG, and the assorted autoimmune conditions that come with it?
I often buy milk in quarts - rather than half-gallons.
Not only is the sheer weight - a problem? I'm also much less likely - to drop a quart-size container (spilt-milk!)
Gallon-size? Olympic Ironman - I'm not!
arniebb2
arniebb2
lol snowbelt I do the same with kitty litter!
momsotired
momsotired
I carry a reusable bag around my house. In the mornings I put what I might need in it for the day so I can avoid needless trips up the stairs. same thign with projects - try to minimize steps.
At work - I got a high back chair to rest my weary neck and had my desk changed so that i don't have to raise my arms. Also putting the computer monitor straight in from of my arms instead of to the side so you don't have to turn your neck (same goes for positioning of couch to watch TV).
catladyme2
catladyme2
I have a self propelled vacuum. (Hoover Wind Tunnel), I also have a table next to my recliner to keep everything I need...telephone, pen and paper, reading glasses, insulated glass for water ect, books, laptop computer, snacks, lamp, mail, you get the idea.
mgot
mgot
I have a rumba robot vacuum cleaner. It gets up more off my floor than I do either sweeping hard floors or vacuuming rugs. It does not last as many years as a traditional vacuum but is way cheaper than a cleaning service. I live in a sandy area and my husband tracks in lots of dirt and he can't vacuum either with his health problems. I love it and bought one for my elderly mother.
limpnoodle
limpnoodle
I get the no more gallon jugs of anything. I usually have to pay more for dog food in a small bag, but if I can't pick it up in a big bag, then my doggie would starve.
ahpotts72
ahpotts72
The hubby found the hairdryer stand at Target.com. Only like $15 so it's on it's way. That is going to save me so much energy each morning.
ahpotts72
ahpotts72
Mahalo nui loa (thank you very much) to mgot for the information on the stand. Great information!!
mgot
mgot
If it needs any adaptions to the top to hold the dryer more securely or the base let me know, I have lots of tricks up my sleeves. Hope it works great straight of the box. Curious what is the best height place to set it on for you. Love to hear some feed back.
wgreen19
wgreen19
While I'm with alot of you with the 'Parking Permit, and 'walking stick', I find that using my Smart Phone to remind me to take my pills to be a life-saver! I take Mestinon every three hours, and thus use Pillboxie as software to remind me to take it, along with all my other meds. I works amazingly well!
ahpotts72
ahpotts72
I also use my android phone as an alarm clock for med times. It has made all the difference in the world for me.

This is for all the women on here...
I love Vera Bradley purses and bags because they have lots of small designs with nice light fabric. They can also be washed which is helpful when you drop your purse 100 times a day. They also make a pill box which has helped me soooo much. It is about the size of large ring box. It has 3 small air tight bottles in it which makes it possible for me to carry my mestinon, cellcept and imitrex with me everywhere. Plus they are pretty which may be the only thing that brings a smile to my face on some days.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I love the Vera Bradley backpack purse because I then have both hands free for when I need to use my cane or walker. whenever I tried to switch back to a regular-style shoulder purse, my symptoms always worsened to where I needed to use a cane again and the backpack purse was needed again. The Vera Bradley bags are also very lightweight- perfect for us! I also had grab bars installed in my shower and I put a bedside commode over the toilet when my legs get bad so I can use my arms to stand up when I'm done.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Green:"I consider my BIPAP machine an assistive devise. It is mandatory at night but I also use it when my breathing gets too weak and I am waiting for meds to kick in. "

Do you use the CPAP for Apnea or because of lung muscle weakness? I Uses aCPAP with C-Flex - it keeps some pressure even on exhale - keeping the airway open. When I breathe out the pressure drops to 4.

I am considering a BiPaP, but my insurance will not cover it. Plus, I'll probably need another sleep study. - WITH MG.
deleted_user
deleted_user
This is a great thread BTW. I am thinking of applying for a placard.