Sometimes I forget I have myasthenia gravis (MG). It happens when my symptoms are so manageable that I catch myself feeling … good. I even have good weeks sometimes. When my meds do what they’re supposed to, I feel strong. Strong enough to do every day activities. 

Imagine having this energy and then, one day, it’s gone. Gone because of a flare-up.

What’s a flare-up? It’s when your symptoms worsen or become more active. Doctors call it an exacerbation. Flare-ups can happen randomly or as a result of sickness, infections, meds., or overdoing it the day before. 

Flare-ups look different for everyone, especially for those of us with MG.

What does a flare-up look like for me? I have generalized MG, so all of the muscles in my body are affected when my symptoms are active. Often, I find myself feeling extremely weak, moving slower, and having trouble keeping my head held up. I have trouble talking and chewing, and I have blurry vision. I need more help doing tasks, and I get tired quicker. 

When I have a flare-up, not only am I impacted physically but also mentally. I’m not sure how many trips on the “flare-up roller coaster” I took before realizing the mental toll. 

There’s a happy balance I’ve found. When a flare strikes, it can feel like falling off a tightrope. It feels like all of your progress is erased and you’re back at square one. It can be frustrating and sad. 

Accepting that good and bad days are a part of the process is a start to tackling your discomfort. The most important thing to remember when your symptoms are raging is your resilience. When I’m struggling with emotions that come with a flare, I try to remember I have the ability to recover and regain my energy again. 

Riding the highs and lows of your MG symptoms can feel like a roller coaster. Especially when you’re faced with a flare. I manage those times by reducing my triggers, resting, and keeping tabs on my mental state. 

Just because you’re flaring doesn’t mean your progress is lost. Acknowledging your resilience in the face of a difficult flare can help you survive its emotional roller coaster. 

^{Photo Credit: E+/Getty Images}