Check out these resources for often-asked-about MG topics. *Our favorites are noted with an asterisk.
Exercise and MG
*MG Wellness: Myasthenia Gravis and Exercise, June 2020. “If your MG has stabilized, exercise can be part of your recovery,” notes Julie Rowin, MD. She and Julie Hossack, certified fitness instructor, explain how to gradually resume exercise if you’re deconditioned from illness.
WATCH FULL VIDEO, WATCH EXERCISE DEMONSTRATION ONLY
READ HIGHLIGHTS, READ HANDOUT – Start Your Exercise Routine
JOIN THE FACEBOOK “MG & EXERCISE” GROUP to get encouragement and answers.
Exercise and Myasthenia Gravis- AMackowiak, JFord, October 2017. Neurophysical therapists Angela Mackowiak and Jennifer Ford, NorthShore University Health System, discuss ways individuals with myasthenia gravis can resume activity once their illness is stable. WATCH VIDEO
Myasthenia Gravis and Exercise, October 2014. Physical therapist Brittany White offers exercise guidelines for myasthenia gravis patients. WATCH VIDEO EXCERPT, READ ARTICLES: Exercises for Posture and Breathing, Summary – MG and Exercise
Nutrition and MG
Coming in 2021: Nutrition webinars!
*8 Ways to Optimize Immune Health Naturally, April 2020. Julie Rowin, MD, identifies specific ways to eat for a more effective and balanced immune system. READ NOW
Building Muscle at Any Age, Summer 2020. Julie Rowin, MD, explains, “The benefits of maintaining muscle mass at any age cannot be underestimated.” READ NOW
Functional Medicine Approach to Treating Myasthenia Gravis, May 2016. Julie Rowin, MD, ABIHM, discusses the root cause of autoimmune diseases such as MG: a combination of genetics and enviromental factors of toxic chemicals, dietary components, gut dysbiosis, and infections. She explains how functional medicine seeks to restore and rebalance the body’s interworking systems. WATCH VIDEO
Myasthenia Gravis and Nutrition, October 2014. Jennifer Koman, registered dietitian, explains ways for MG patients to cope with chewing and swallowing issues, sodium reduction and diarrhea. WATCH VIDEO, GET HANDOUTS
Stress Management and MG
*Wellness Now: Own Your Health In a COVID-19 World, May 2020. Julie Rowin, MD, and Maria D. Zepeda, National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, discuss ways to combat pandemic stressors of loneliness, overeating, too much time indoors, and cleaning product exposure. WATCH VIDEO , READ HIGHLIGHTS
Meditative Breathing, July 2020. Jill Crockett, instructor and owner of Molcintah Yoga Studio, and Julie Rowin, MD, discuss health benefits that occur when you set aside time to focus on the rhythm of breathing. Includes a guided demonstration to use this always available, always affordable tool of breath. WATCH VIDEO, READ HIGHLIGHTS
Myasthenia Gravis and Stress Management, October 2013. Deb Smith, M.Ed., LCPC, discusses 7 ways (“A-C-C-E-P-T-S”) to cope with stress. WATCH VIDEO
Meditation as Medication, October 2013. Dr. Tim Fior describes benefits of meditation, then provides beginners with easy-to-follow steps to meditate. WATCH VIDEO
MG Treatments
MG101, October 2015. Matthew Meriggioli, MD, Chicago, explains that different types of MG may call for different treatment depending on antibody type, thymus issues, and age at onset. Describes first symptoms and MuSK antibody MG differences. WATCH VIDEO
*IVIg, Plasmapheresis, and New Therapies, April 2019. Ryan Jacobson, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology with Rush University Medical Center of Chicago, explains key and emerging treatments for MG. WATCH VIDEO, READ HIGHLIGHTS
Clinical Trials: What MG patients need to know, October 2019. Rabia Malik, MD, Rush University, explains informed consent, eligibility criteria, and the patient experience in a clinical trial. WATCH VIDEO, READ HIGHLIGHTS
Better Breathing through Technology, October 2018. Sally O’Meara addresses how myasthenia gravis can affect breathing, tools that help (BiPap machines, Trilogy home ventilators), and when your insurance can cover them. WATCH VIDEO
Myasthenia Gravis and Telemedicine, December 2020. Rabia Malik, MD, Rush University Medical Center, explains how to make the most of your telemedicine visit if you have MG – how to position your phone/camera, having a support person if you need one, and what parts of the neurological exam work well. WATCH VIDEO, READ HIGHLIGHTS
Myasthenia Gravis and Drug Interactions – Antibiotics, October 2016. Mitra Habibi, PharmD, UIC Chicago College of Pharmacy, explains medication warnings associated with antibiotics that apply to MG patients. WATCH VIDEO
*MHabibi: Myasthenia Gravis and Drug Interactions, October 2016. (full presentation) Mitra Habibi, PharmD, UIC Chicago College of Pharmacy, explains medication warnings and potential drug interactions with common prescription drugs for MG patients. Topics: black box warnings, antibiotic cautions, info on pain medication, steroid side effects, magnesium, statins, and quinine. WATCH VIDEO
Myasthenia Gravis: Side Effects of Common Treatments, April 2014. Dr. Alex Barboi discusses side effects of prednisone, a common drug used to treat MG. WATCH VIDEO
Vision Issues
Vision Issues and Myasthenia Gravis, July 2017. Thomas Mizen, MD, neuro-ophthalmologist at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, explains myasthenia gravis symptoms of fluctuating double vision and drooping eyelids, types of myasthenia (ocular, generalized), and treatments including drug therapies and thymectomy. WATCH VIDEO , READ HIGHLIGHTS
*I saw two pitchers…on two mounds. Coping with MG vision issues. READ MORE
August newsletter – Vision Issue, pages 5-7, August 2013. Prisms, living with low vision, prednisone side effects on vision. READ MORE
