How I build a career with a body that has limits due to MG

I love working. I love creating. I love staying active and leaving my mark on the world. But myasthenia gravis (MG) doesn’t always enjoy accompanying me on that path, so I had to come up with a plan to keep going.

The struggles are real and concrete. One of the most frustrating symptoms that affected my college years was my inability to write for long periods. Holding a pen for too long becomes painful, and even typing long texts can exhaust my hands. I can’t write more than a paragraph at a time without my muscles failing me. It may seem like a minor detail, but it slowly destroyed my academic rhythm and confidence in my own abilities.

Standing for extended periods is another challenge. Working in social media often means filming content, shooting videos, and repeating the same take multiple times to get the correct result. After two or three takes, even holding my phone feels heavy. My arms start to shake, my neck becomes stiff, and my body asks for a break. What looks like a simple task quickly becomes physically demanding.

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Lifting heavy equipment is almost impossible. I work with professional photography and video gear, and moving it from one client to another can feel like I’m carrying my own limits in my hands. I’ve learned to minimize what I take, but even then, a simple camera bag can drain all of my energy for the rest of the day.

Organization is probably the biggest challenge. Being reliable for clients, respecting deadlines, and staying consistent is already hard for any entrepreneur. Living with myasthenia gravis adds another layer of uncertainty. Some days I feel capable and productive. Other days, air hunger and muscle soreness take over so much that I can’t even hold my phone, let alone open my laptop and focus. The hardest part is that this instability is invisible to others, and sometimes even unpredictable to myself.

Mental stability is another silent battle. Dealing with pressure, unmet deadlines, frustrated clients, and the constant fear that my body won’t cooperate with my plans is exhausting. Uncertainty on top of uncertainty can feel like living in a black hole. And yet, I can’t stop myself from wanting to build, create, and stay professionally active.

My workarounds

So I developed strategies to keep working with MG rather than fighting it. I digitize everything I can. Instead of typing on my phone when my hands are tired, I place it on a desk and use voice-to-text, which saves energy and allows me to keep communicating even on tough days.

I try to plan as far ahead as possible. Social media is unpredictable, but planning posts, content shoots, and campaigns weeks or months in advance gives me breathing space when my body slows down. It isn’t easy, but it reduces daily pressure.

I give myself fake deadlines and clients realistic ones. Internally, I aim to finish projects earlier than necessary. Externally, I communicate longer timelines. I prefer this to constantly having to explain that I am sick. Managing my health is my responsibility, not my clients’ burden.

I assess every step I take: how I sit, how much I walk, and how often I move during the day. Every week, I look for ways to optimize to move less, rest more, and still produce quality work. I see my body as my most precious worker. Small efforts can leave me feeling deeply fatigued, so I try to protect myself by better organizing.

I never force myself past my limit. I’ve learned to delegate when a flare is coming or when I’m sick. Hiring freelancers is expensive and isn’t always easy, but it keeps the workflow alive. Not everyone can do this, especially in fixed jobs, but asking for help when possible is a form of responsibility, not weakness.

Finally, I take real days off. These are days when I lie down, eat properly, stare at the ceiling, and let my body just exist without expectations. Not moving is sometimes the most productive thing I can do for my future self.

Working with myasthenia gravis isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about working differently, planning smarter, and accepting that productivity doesn’t look the same for everyone.

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.