Sensitivity to light (photophobia) is a common complaint for a lot of people with MG. It's caused by weak eye muscles and of course we can't squint for very long before our face muscles get too tired to keep doing it for very long. You may also find it difficult to wink or raise your eyebrows at times. If you are taking Mestinon, watery eyes is a side effect of that medication but it can also be from the eye strain. I deal with the watery eyes every day from the Mestinon.

As for the heat, that's a killer for people with MG. Heat exacerbates our condition and will quickly zap whatever energy you had before hitting the outdoors. Hot cars are personally difficult to handle. The inside of the car gets so hot and if I sit in the car without allowing it to cool off first, I'm pretty much done for the day. If possible, have someone start the car and crank the air conditioning before you go out. I take freezer packs with me everywhere I go now just to keep me as cool as possible. Also, Prednisone and Mestinon can make you sweat a lot so keep that in mind when dressing for the day. Wear light weight clothes and stay in the shade. You make have to carry around an umbrella but it will save you a lot of energy if the sun isn't hitting you directly. One last thing you can do to stay cool is to keep cold water with you. By drinking cold water when in the heat you lower your core temperature from the inside plus you are well hydrated to boot.

I hope this helps. Hugs and welcome to the group.
Angie

Hi Rich ,

Welcome and sorry that your here with your Mg . I've always had the light sensitivity and always have sunglasses on no matter what rain or shine lol. I not get watering in the eyes like you do but we can thank the wonderful prednisone for light sensitivity for sure.

As far as the heat , without a doubt heat and humidly wears us down that is classic mg being exasperated as your body fights to cool down and using a lot of your energy to do so. I work outside most of the time and I feel the effects of cold weather as well as your body is working to get warm.

This is when we musy manage our ng as best we can and don't give up.

Cj

The heat is the worst! This year, I'm more sensitive to heat than I've ever been before. My bosses keep the office about 78 degrees in the summer, and I sit there and sweat like some kind of horrible animal until I can't take it anymore and sneak over to the air conditioner. I also never leave the house without sunglasses and sunscreen.

Hi there...Im afraid same for me, heat being the worst....I sweat so bad I feel like I just took a shower..I have not had the light sensitivity to much....Sooo I just wear cool clothes,but then get bit by a thousand bugs, but wanna go for my walks etc so I try best I can....I also drink tons of water which I find helps alot...try anything you can to still get outside a bit and stay as cool as possible. Welcome to the group!!!

If I have to be out in the heat I put cold packs ( the kind for lunch bags) on my pressure points. If I have to, I put ice in baggies. That has saved me a few times. Cold drinks and eating ice helps too. You can also google cooling vests and all kind of cooling devices. Stay cool! :-)

Hi Richard. I find my MG breaking point with the heat to be around 75 degrees. This year, I have purchased a Stacool Vest, and it's made a world of difference for me when outside! Ditto with the light sensitivity issues, in spite of wearing sunglasses it can be very difficult at times - added then to the blurry vision.

Hi everyone, thanks so much for taking the time to respond to me today. At least I now know what to expect. Angie, great advise especially about the car. As my MG is severe, I do not work or drive, but I do get driven so I will make sure the car has been started and the AC cranked.
CJ, like you I am wearing sunglasses in and out of the house. My opthalmologist helped me with about five pairs all with varying degrees of shade. I find the polarized wrap arounds the best.
I ordered some cooling towels from Amazon and Wgreen, after your comments, I went on line and ordered a stacool.
It's gonna be one heck of a summer for me. This is all so new and sometimes so overwhelming! I am seronegative and MuSK negative, so finding the right management program is taking some time. I just had a thymectomy two weeks ago and when I see the neuro again in June, I know the prednisone is coming and I am freaking out about the side effects. Right now its Mestinon and IVIg that keeps me standing.
I'm so glad I found this site, everyone is always so helpful, I have read volumes about MG, but the best information comes from you guys so thank you all.
Richard

Listen to Angie she knows what she is talking about. She just gave you the advice I was going to give you. The heat is a killer and the sun is very hard on your eyes. I usually wear sun glasses where ever I go. It helps. Like I said Angie has the answers. I don't want to just repeat what she said.
Welcome to the group
Michele

We have a pool we keep unheated in summer. Taking a dip and getting hair wet keeps me cool for at least an hour. Also drinking icey drinks helps too.

I sometimes have to wear sunglasses inside playing scrabble if the light is too bright even with curtains closed.

Hope you can stay cool! Marie