Cold – Day 6

Greg Olsen

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I am ready to call this cold a win! It’s been several days now and it hasn’t gotten any worse. In fact, I’m rarely coughing now. I can still feel a little of the tickle in my bronchial tubes, but I think we’re on the top side of it. Great job, body! It did exactly what it was supposed to do and fought off this cold.

So, does that mean the blogs for the last six days were all for nothing? No, not at all. I attempted to explain why someone with Myasthenia Gravis has to take a common cold so seriously. Sometimes we can beat it and sometimes it can take us down, and I mean take us down hard.

The lesson I attempted to share with you is don’t take colds lightly if your have MG. If you’re the caregiver, family member or friend of someone with MG, don’t allow them to take a cold too nonchalantly either. A cold can quickly turn into a major illness or even result in a myasthenia crisis. Remember, thirty years ago, 10% of the people with MG died as a result of a myasthenia crisis. That number runs closer to 5% today, but even so, that’s still too high of odds not to pay attention.

That means our series on colds is over, for now. I may bring it back again if I get another cold, but only if it turns bad. I never want to cry wolf, but I also don’t want to ignore the fact that any cold can turn deadly for someone with MG.

I’m still a little short of breath and most definitely won’t be running any races yet, but I think I’m in the clear and soon I’ll be able to say goodbye to this cold completely.

Thank you so much to everyone who said prayers for me and sent me well wishes. I’d ask that you do the same for my friend, Peter. He also suffers from Myasthenia Gravis and currently has a cold. Let’s wish him well and let him know we’re thinking about him.

We’re #MGStrong, Peter, we’re #MGStrong! We’re thinking about you, Buddy, and praying for you!


Comments

8 responses to “Cold – Day 6”

  1. Wayne Anstadt Avatar
    Wayne Anstadt

    Thanks for you blog. I read it every time you post. I’ve had MG for about 11 months now. It took 3 months to diagnosed my symptoms. I did not have double vision or droopy eyelids, so my family doctor could not understand what was happening to me. I couldn’t speak,swallow or eat for three months, and my doctor had no idea that I had MG. I even went to an ENT and she misdiagnosed me. once I saw a recommended neurologist she knew exactly what I had and started to help me with my MG. I’m on two medications Mestiton and Imran, plus prednisone and everything seems to be fairly in check. I have not received a cold yet since I’ve been diagnosed with MG. Your blog has become very helpful for me to read and to have a better understanding of what could happen with my MG. Please keep your blog going so once again I can get a better understanding of what I’m dealing with. I’m still able to drive my 35 ft class A motorhome Properly and function during the day, I’m able to enjoy the things that my wife and I like to do. Hoping to be off prednisone by the first quarter 2025 Sincerely Wayne Anstadt.

    1. Wayne:
      I’m so sorry to hear you have MG, but I’m very glad to hear you’re in such good hands with your neurologist. They are truly remarkable doctors and heaven sent, I might add. It sounds like you’re doing well, so keep up the great work. Thank you so much for the comment and very kind words. That is exactly what I intended to do with my blog… reach others with MG or the caregivers, family or friends of those with MG and provide them with an insight of what it’s like. While we don’t all experience the same symptoms, they’re close enough that we can all relate. Please keep me posted on how you’re doing. I would love to hear from you. Stay #MGStrong!
      Greg

  2. Marina Hamilton Avatar
    Marina Hamilton

    Battling with a cold myself I can relate. Glad you may have beaten this one and prayers for your friend and anyone else dealing with the same thing.

    1. Thanks Marina and I hope you make your way through your cold as easily as I did mine. They aren’t always so easy. Get lots of rest and drink plenty of fluids. Please know that I will keep you in my prayers in hopes that you win your battle with your cold before it causes too many problems. Thanks for writing and please stay #MGStrong!
      Greg

  3. Ethalene Bressman Avatar
    Ethalene Bressman

    Praying for you and for Peter also!

    1. Thank you. That means a lot to me and Peter, too. If you wouldn’t mind, please add Marina and Wayne to your prayer list. Marina is battling a cold now as well. Wayne hasn’t had a cold yet but was diagnosed with MG 11 months ago. Our prayers may help him from catching a cold.
      Greg

  4. Peter Pongracz Avatar
    Peter Pongracz

    I tested positive for Covid yesterday and today so it’s not a cold although I am coughing. It feels like the flu. I have scheduled a virtual visit with the doctor.

  5. I’m so sorry to hear that, Peter. I’m really glad you reached out to your doctor right away. COVID can have a lot of complications. I had been in remission for MG for years until I got COVID and it triggered MG in me once again. I have your email address and I hope you don’t mind, but I’d like to email you daily to see how you’re doing. I also will let my readers know (first name only) so they can add you to their prayers. Listen closely to your doctor’s instructions. We’re pulling for you.
    Greg

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