Taking MG to the mall: My tips to make shopping work
I love shopping, so it took some MG life hacks to make it work
I was never really a sports fan, and there weren’t many other cultural activities around where I lived. But as I got older, I soon found my passion: shopping.
I know, I sound like a high schooler, but in my head, I still am! Don’t judge!
From when I was 15 to about 19, I was obsessed with wandering around malls and other shops. Even if it was just window shopping, I found comfort in browsing outfits, imagining myself in crazy styles, and just feeling like a “stylish” person.
That all came to a halt at 19, right around the time I was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG). Surprisingly, it didn’t stop because I gained weight from decreased activity during flare-ups. It ended because I began to understand myself better and respect my physical limits.
I never realized that during shopping trips, I’d always lag behind my friends. I’d stop at every available coffee shop or bench, chalking it up to laziness. But now I know that it was due to my muscles giving out. These days, I don’t want to push myself through long shopping days. But shopping is still necessary, right?
While online shopping might seem like the ideal solution, it’s often disappointing in terms of quality. And don’t even get me started on grocery shopping! I just can’t bring myself to buy vegetables online and miss out on the smell of fresh produce from local farms.
So I came up with my own shopping plan:
Bring my boyfriend: He understands my condition better than anyone. I feel comfortable asking him for help, and I genuinely enjoy his company.
Use a rolling bag or a backpack: Since I already struggle to walk long distances, carrying anything heavy is out of the question. When my boyfriend can’t come along, I make sure I’m using the easiest method to carry things.
Never forget the Mestinon: I’m terrible at remembering to take my medication, especially since I don’t react well to it. My doctors gave me the green light to take it only as needed, but I often forget to bring it with me when I leave the house. So now I keep a small box of it in all of my bags, just in case.
Check the weather: Wind and cold weather badly affect me, so I avoid going out on rainy or cold days. It’s not just about comfort; it’s about avoiding flare-ups.
Plan around hormones: I’ve noticed that I get a mini flare-up right before my period. So I always check my period tracker to avoid scheduling shopping trips that week.
Stop at every coffee shop: Back when I didn’t know what was going on with my body, I’d still take breaks at every café. Now I do it with intention. A hot drink and 15 minutes of rest can do wonders for my recovery.
Know where the restrooms are: Anyone who’s taken Mestinon (pyridostigmine bromide) knows it can hit hard. That means diarrhea is a real possibility, so I make sure to know where all the bathrooms are in advance. It makes the whole outing a lot less stressful.
These might not be revolutionary strategies, but the small things are often what make the biggest difference. This little routine helps me feel alive. If I strictly stuck to online shopping, I think I’d feel defeated.
I still love going out to shop for clothes and groceries, and MG isn’t going to take that joy away from me. I like to think of it as taking my bitter and best friend, MG, out for some fresh air. We sip coffee with my boyfriend and take it slow. And yes, we even enjoy ourselves!
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.
About the Author
Sharon Howe
Thanks for the uplifting article on conserving energy in order to continue what you enjoy. For those of us who take immune suppressants, shopping can be a double whammy, zapping energy and a risk of catching something. Online shopping is great for familiar items but you're right that sometimes it requires in-person assessment. There's also the challenge of returns as some stores require in-person returns at a counter at the back of a big, busy store, or a trip to a busy post office.
When I must shop in-person, I do a lot of online research beforehand on both the products available, the location of the store, its size, less busy times, etc. The goal is to park close, get in and out with too much exposure to high touch environments and lots of people. The best air in stores is usually first thing in the morning after overnight clearing of the air. Big box stores usually have better air exchange but smaller specialty stores may have less traffic overall. Grocery stores are high-touch environments so I found a local one that has higher quality and less traffic. It also has parking right in front so no long trek across a parking lot is needed. It may be more expensive but the higher quality usually results in less waste, and less expense long term. On shopping day, I take advantage of on-site prepared hot or reheat meals so I don't have to make supper that day after shopping has used my energy reserves.