Does myasthenia gravis really have that much power over me?

Over the years, I’ve developed an annoying habit of blaming everything on myasthenia gravis (MG). Being aware of it sometimes makes it worse, because I catch myself doing it and still feel unable to stop. It feels like I’m slowly handing control over to MG, one excuse at a time.

Whether it’s related to my weight, my clothing choices, or even my professional habits, everything somehow ends up connected to my condition. I am tired, so I did not cook. I am weak, so I did not exercise. I am fatigued, so I postponed that deadline. I am insecure, so I withdrew from that relationship.

But does MG truly have that much power over me?

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February 5, 2026 Columns by Sarah Bendiff

I do not want to lose myself to myasthenia gravis

Overcoming challenges

To be fair, I would rather see it as a challenger than an obstacle. Obstacles block you. Challengers push you. They force you to adjust, rethink, and adapt. For example, some people lose weight more easily than others when they follow a diet. For me, the challenge is not only my metabolism, but also finding the energy and discipline to cook consistently.

It is true that MG can be deeply demotivating. Fatigue makes everything heavier, even the smallest decisions. Cooking after a long day feels like climbing a mountain. But nothing is technically stopping me from batch-cooking on better days or from choosing simpler meals that help me stay consistent. The difficulty is real, but so is my ability to create systems around it.

The same applies to work. Deadlines are stressful, especially when a flare shows up right before something important. But I rarely prepare for those possibilities. I could plan earlier, build more buffer time, delegate sooner, or simplify projects before I reach my limit. Instead of seeing MG only as the reason for my stress, maybe I should see it as a signal to improve my structure and anticipation.

It is also true that MG makes me doubt my relationships. I question whether I am too much, not enough, too complicated, or too unpredictable. I sometimes blame MG for my insecurities. But nothing stops me from communicating my needs clearly or building relationships that respect my limits. MG may influence my energy, but it does not define my worth.

Thank you, MG

What I am trying to say is that even if MG feels like the illness of my existence, there is often a practical “cure” hidden in my daily choices. Not a medical cure, but a behavioral one. It might be uncomfortable, annoying, or require more discipline than others need, but it exists.

Everyone has their own challenges. Some are visible, some are not. We admire people who succeed not because their lives are easy, but because they learn to work with what they have.

So I have started asking myself a different question: What if I became grateful to MG for being a known challenge? Grateful that I understand what I am dealing with, even if it is unpredictable. Grateful that I can anticipate some of its patterns instead of being completely lost.

This big problem might actually be pushing me to become more consistent, more organized, and more resilient. These traits are necessary not only for survival, but also for growth.

Maybe MG doesn’t have as much power over me as I think. Maybe it’s not the ruler of my life, but the toughest teacher I never asked for.

Note: Myasthenia Gravis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Myasthenia Gravis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to myasthenia gravis.