I have to completely agree with you, Josh. My cousin is a retired truck driver, and over the last year he has told me many stories involving the hazards and pitfalls of truck driving. Each time I hear one of those stories, I am glad I am NOT a truck driver, AND I am forever grateful to the truck drivers of this country. They move our products across country in all kinds of hazardous weather and conditions. We would not have the many conveniences that we have without them.
One "cute" story my cousin told me involved his wife, who was also a truck driver. They rode together many times, and he said they really learned to "communicate." You can't walk away from a conversation when you are in a truck!
Thank you for what you do, Josh.
Mary

Type of Myotonia: Thomsens

Country: USA

Josh:
Fair enough. I've never driven a truck except for one of those smaller U-Hauls, and not very far. But I'm still skeptical that they don't handle better than a Dodge Intrepid.

Have you ever been through Moorpark, California?

Type of Myotonia: Becker

Country: USA

hmm not sure about moorpak... been all through so cal, LA area, and up to san diego. not sure where moorpak is tho

Type of Myotonia: ??

Country: usa

I live in Simi Valley which is just a few miles away from Moorpark.

Type of Myotonia: Thomsens

Country: USA

Jenna,
Wow! I "flew" into Moorpark, California on Google Earth. It's amazing. Every house appears to be on the side of a small hill or mountain. Is there NO flat land there at all??? If you want to check it out, just download Google Earth on your computer, and in the "Fly To" section, type in Moorpark, California.
Mary

Type of Myotonia: Thomsens

Country: USA

Hi Josh -
Folks with MC will want to avoid caffeine as much as possible, as it causes or exacerbates muscle stiffness for us. The capsaisin in red peppers somehow helps to relax the chloride channels in our muscles, so seems to help prevent or minimize episodes of stiffness.

I know there have been threads about this before, but I think a number of folks have posted about how they are sort of "drawn" to hot and spicy foods - and it seems that the body kind of tells you what it needs.

Not sure I'd personally want to chew on red pepper flakes by themselves, but I hate having little bits of dry things stuck in my teeth! But we do cook a LOT with hot sauces, peppers, cayenne, cumin, chilis, curry, etc... I have always been partial to them, and maybe it was because they help.

So, before you arrive at your destination, get a taco and extra packets of their hottest salsa! Lois

Type of Myotonia: MC- Becker's type

Country: USA

first of all, thank you mary. It's nice to be appreatiated. WHat i wanted to say is i tried the hot peppers this weekend. We went to cedar point (an amusement park) and our hotel had an indoor waterpark. I was feeling quite stiff the day we went there because of all the walking around the day before in the amusement park. They had a snack shop with a bottle of crushed red peppers, I remembered this post and tried a few pinches of them. I seemed to get up the stairs for the waterslides MUCH better afterward, thanks for the tips. I LOVE this forum, you guys are great

Type of Myotonia: myotonia congenita (not sure which type, but it sucks :)

Country: USA

Hey Josh,

I've been on the receiving end of trucks and let’s say I don't envy you. I'm amazed by how you guys maneuver a trailer backing up into loading docks! My problem has always been trying to get my hands and upper body warmed up for truck deliveries. Unloading delivery trucks full of refrigerators, washers, and dryers at Best Buy is probably not the best job for someone with MC, but that’s what I did to pay the bills for a year or so during college.

I’ll have to try the hot pepper flakes. I’ve never noticed a difference in mobility after eating spicy foods before, but then I’ve never noticed any foods affecting my muscle stiffness for better or worse.

Type of Myotonia: Waiting on the DNA test to come back

Country: FL, USA