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...
I have a problem that I was wondering if any of you are having. I have to eat every 4 hours around the clock. If I go any longer than that I get really bad hunger pains and get extremely weak and shaky. It comes on almost instantaneously and so strong to the point that if I don't get something in my stomach fast I collapse.
The worst times are during the night and first thing in the morning. I usually eat my last time before I go to bed around 11 pm. I try to eat something solid that will take time to digest hoping I can make it thru the night (but it usually doesn't make any difference). Around 3 am I wake up with the hunger pains and weakness so bad I barely make it to the refrigerator. I usually hold on to the refrigerator or kitchen counter to keep from falling. We try to keep things that are ready to eat in there so I don't have to loose time fixing something. I will grab a cold hot dog, a couple slices of bologna, fruit salad, or whatever else I can find that I can pop into my mouth fast. Within about 10 minutes or so the shakiness and hunger pains go away so that I can go back to sleep. B y 6 or 7 am it's the same thing.
During the day I feel the symptoms coming on sooner so I don't get quite so shaky or hungry before I can get something to eat.
Have any of you experienced this problem? I don't know if this is just another normal thing that I have to deal with having mg or if it is something else that I need to be concerned about.
The worst times are during the night and first thing in the morning. I usually eat my last time before I go to bed around 11 pm. I try to eat something solid that will take time to digest hoping I can make it thru the night (but it usually doesn't make any difference). Around 3 am I wake up with the hunger pains and weakness so bad I barely make it to the refrigerator. I usually hold on to the refrigerator or kitchen counter to keep from falling. We try to keep things that are ready to eat in there so I don't have to loose time fixing something. I will grab a cold hot dog, a couple slices of bologna, fruit salad, or whatever else I can find that I can pop into my mouth fast. Within about 10 minutes or so the shakiness and hunger pains go away so that I can go back to sleep. B y 6 or 7 am it's the same thing.
During the day I feel the symptoms coming on sooner so I don't get quite so shaky or hungry before I can get something to eat.
Have any of you experienced this problem? I don't know if this is just another normal thing that I have to deal with having mg or if it is something else that I need to be concerned about.
As far as advice.... try eating a bowl of special k protein cereal with skim milk before bed. eating multigrain breads are very filling. eating pretzels is helpful. i try to eat things that require effort and have fiber. High protein, low carbs.
My neuro was no help; his suggestion was to eat less when i asked him what i could do to make sure i dont' gain a lot of weight from the steriods.
"I will grab a cold hot dog, a couple slices of bologna, fruit salad, or whatever else I can find that I can pop into my mouth fast."
... Have you tried eating cheese? I love how a slice or two will bring me back up so I can finish cooking dinner! Plus, I love cheese! Saw this opportunity to talk about cheese... had to take it!!! ;)
How are you feeling now?