Originally Posted by Blessings2You (Post 850273)

Sometimes I think that should be all one word MSFatigue.

I notice this subject coming up every time there's a batch of newbies. "How would you describe your fatigue?" I don't think there's a symptom any more difficult to explain to non-MSrs than MS fatigue.

According the the NMSS, something like 80% of people with MS experience that fatigue, and it's the primary cause of MSrs leaving the work force. For some people, it's their PRIMARY symptom. Fatigue and its accompanying stupidity drove me to the doctor to start with.

I would go to meetings that started at 6 p.m. and already I'd be nearly catatonic with fatigue. My body was tired, my eyeballs were tired, my brain was tired, my emotions were tired, even my hair was tired. Even if I could have explained it to anybody, I was too tired to try.

I can see where people would get the idea that fatigue is the result of the other symptoms, but fatigue IS a symptom itself. Out of the blue, for no discernable reason, I'd suddenly feel as though I'd pulled two all-nighters, run around the lake, and was recovering from the flu.

I tried Amantadine (allergic) and Provigil (jitters and nightmares weren't worth the tiny difference it made). I've resigned myself that it's part of the deal, and although I can't "cure" it, I have to manage it. And restrain myself when someone (other than MSers) says, "Oh, I know what you mean. I stayed up late last night and I'm tired, too."

So...for the benefit of newbies...how would YOU describe your MS fatigue?

Originally Posted by Hbjro (Post 865884)

Well ms related fatigue is something I have not had to deal with (most, but not all) of the time. Provigil has worked for me. Prior to provigil, I was on amantadine and it didnt work for me. Now, all of a sudden, insurance will no longer pay for medication because it's considered "off label". This same insurance carrier has paid for this medication since 2006. I don't understand how they can all of a sudden decide they won't cover "off label" uses for medications, when they have been paying for this medication for six years!

I too watched dr oz, montel show and will be going to mothers market to purchase "cocoawell" which is the energy tea he mentioned during the show.

I guess this is another way to describe the fatigue associated with ms, it's so great, you don't have the energy to fight or the cognitive endurance to form an eloquent argument. I'll let you know how the tea works.

Originally Posted by Hbjro (Post 865884)

I guess this is another way to describe the fatigue associated with ms, it's so great, you don't have the energy to fight or the cognitive endurance to form an eloquent argument.