MS Fatigue

[Aslanarts]

I am very new to this. I just got officially diagnosed with MS on Saturday but I've kind of known it was coming for a while. I will be starting on Copaxone soon.

In the meantime my biggest struggle is with fatigue. It seems I am exhausted all of the time no matter how much rest or sleep I get. It doesn't help that I have had a chronic headache for over 3.5 years now.

Does anyone have any tips or suggestions of how they deal with the fatigue?

[Aslanarts]

Those are all great ideas.

I thought I should try to start keeping a journal, something I have NEVER been good at, to see if there are any specific patterns or triggers.

I don't have kids to chase around, just two dogs that are pretty understanding and will happily lay in bed with me all day when I just don't have the energy to get up.

Thanks for the input. I really appreciate it.

[Aslanarts]

Thank you.

I will make an effort to get out and walk a bit at lunch every day.

I am hoping to avoid taking meds if I can, but by the weekend there are days that I can barely make it from bed to the couch.

Suzanne

[supermum_ms]

Hi and welcome to our little MS community,

I'm very sorry for your recent diagnosis of MS, and having a headache for 3.5 years........HUGS!

It's not always easy to isolate and treat an issue like fatigue, when you have a lot of different elements caused by a medical condition like MS. Fatigue can be a primary issue directly caused by your MS or a secondary issue, fatigue is one of the most common MS issue with stats of around 80%.

When it comes to an issue like fatigue, not only is there fluctuating levels of fatigue, from mild all the way to MS lassitude but there are several different secondary aspects to fatigue. Examples: Physical fatigue - isolated muscles that fatigue in a leg can effect mobility, tremors etc using up more physical energy than normal to function. Mental fatigue - cognitive issue, double vision, vertigo, mobility issues etc all require higher than normal amounts of concentration to function. Emotional - depression, anxiety, coping or life skills etc

So i think it's always worth taking the time to look at exactly what your dealing with, to see if you can pin down any of your individual issues trying to see if there is any pattern within the big picture of MS, that if treated more effectively could additionally positively effect your fatigue. Sometimes there are some behavioural or life style aspects, that are additionally causing a domino effect to the fluctuating levels and types of fatigue your dealing with.

IF for example your an MSer trying to run a house, raise and run around after 2.3 kids and hold down a full or part time job like Mrs average typically does, MS like many other autoimmune condition will roast you like a marshmallow.

Finding a balance between what you 'have' to do every day, and understanding what you are capable of doing really does help, as does working out your tipping point, resting or napping preferably before you hit the wall and other things like learning to delegate chores, cheat with meals where ever you can eg when your good make extra and freeze for bad days, buy pre cut veggies etc also help with balancing day to day life and fatigue.        

Understandably chronic pain of any kind day after day can on it's own cause a lot of fatigue, with some types of medications whilst helping treat one issue can them selves cause or exacerbate fatigue. Have a look to see if any of the medications you are on 'could be' making your fatigue worse and or if there are any of your issues not being treated but are worsening your fatigue.

Hope that gives you some food for thought

Hugs...........JJ

  

[HVAC]

I have fatigue from both MS and chemotherapy. I walk every day. It sounds counterintutive because I am so fatigued. It does not help at the beginning but even a 15 walk can help. I also swim. I practice good sleep practices. I have a ritual I follow every night to wind down and go to bed at the same time. I had to get on pain meds to help me sleep. The head ache is going to be your biggest obstacle. Menopause took my headaches.

There are drugs for energy Adderall (speed), Nuvigil, or Provigil. I take no dose with the added caffine instead.

Ration your energy. I do more taxing things in the morning. I take an hour nap if I am tired in the afternoon.

Energy with MS is like money in the bank when it is gone it is gone.

Alex