[Blessings2You]

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?

[karilann]

No one understands M.S. unless they HAVE M.S.
Try some B12 drops or lozenges that dissolve under the tongue. They may help to take the edge off the fatigue.

Yesterday Montel Williams was on Dr. Oz and he swears his energy level has quadrupled with his morning smoothy of spinach, pineapple and watermelon, vitamin b12 and some other stuff. You'd have to look it up. It was on Dr Oz just yesterday and Montel has suffered with M.S. for quite some time.

Here's wishing you some energy

[SallyC]

Originally Posted by Blessings2You

Sometimes I think that should be all one word MSFatigue.

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

I would also use one word, but hyphinated....It too would begin with f...

As far as discribing it, you did it excellently.. Then, if I had the strength, I'd punch out all the peeps who say, "Oh yes, me too"..grrrrrrrrrrr!!

When I was in hosp. PT/OT, I explained the MSFatigue to the trainers and nurses, trying to make them understand that it was different than and more extreme than the usual Fatigue. I only had to say it once and they understood and treated me, with the MSfatigue, in mind. I sooooooo appreciated that.

[Kitty]

Originally Posted by Blessings2You

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

Like trying to pull two 100# blocks of cement, that are attached to your legs, through a current of water running against you, while you have the flu.

And I'm not exaggerating.

[SallyC]

Originally Posted by Kitty

Like trying to pull two 100# blocks of cement, that are attached to your legs, through a current of water running against you, while you have the flu.

And I'm not exaggerating.

And with your arms tied behind your back!!!

[lefthanded]

Like you have been swimming in a pool all day long, and you just hauled yourself out and you immediately miss the buoyancy of the water. It feels like your body is dragging itself down .... like gravity has quadrupled.

[TheSleeper]

I also tried Amantadine and Provigil, the Amantadine seemed worthless, Provigil provides a limited benefit, I may not feel as tired, but I still don`t have enough energy to do much. I had no apparent side effects from either.

I also tried over the counter energy pills and energy drinks, those made me feel wired, and provided no apparent help.

Unlike others I don`t seem to have much of an issue with mental fatigue, mine seems to be limited to physical, and it can be daunting. A lot of my falls came from thinking before my body could keep up with the thought. It is something to be aware of and adjust to, you have to learn to slow down.

I also take B-12 and D-3 I don`t notice any difference when I do or when I don`t.

I have a pool, it was a safe place to exercise with out much of a risk of injury thru falling, until climbing the ladder out became a problem.

I learned to move at my own pace, to do what I could and accept that as all I could do and not to worry about what others with out MS think.

[Blessings2You]

Dragging this back out because of something I was just thinking.

I truly never understood what my mom (heart disease) or my sister-in-law (myotonic dystrophy) REALLY meant when they said "I just can't".

People will say to me (or I'll read in an article, or whatever) "All you have to do is mix these three ingredients", or "Just sew two towels together" or "It only takes ten minutes"....

And I think, "I just can't". Not don't want to, not maybe tomorrow--I just can't. Just can't.

[Kitty]

I know. I completely understand.

[SallyC]

That is an excellent discription, Blessings.