Fatigue was the symptom that sent me to the doctor in the first place, figuring I was just low on something.

There is just no word to describe the feeling. It's more/different than tired or sleepy, or even exhausted. Even the word "fatigue" somehow conveys the idea that it's the RESULT of something--hard work, no sleep, a bout with the flu, etc. MS fatigue is it's own bird--most of the time, there IS no such cause. You just hit the wall. Or wake up in the morning already flat-faced against the wall.

When you add body fatigue to brain fatigue, it something bigger than the sum of its parts. I'm going to have to invent my own word for when I'm too "tired" to think, too " tired" to care, too "tired" to care that I don't care, too "tired" to concentrate, too "tired" for fun not to seem like too much trouble. I'm just thankful that it still waxes and wanes.

PPMS from the start, and fatigue was the first major issue, my legs felt like lead. Sleep for 12 - 16 hours and then need a nap.

I can remember when my fatigue was at it's worst that the floor was the only thing that would help me. Even a bed was to high. I wanted to get all the way down on the floor. I guess that's why when we have our big family gatherings that I don't mind sitting on the floor at all. It's my favorite place in fact. I just lean up against a chair or couch and sit there. Plus sometimes the person behind me gives me a shoulder rub or scalp massage, just because they love me!!!

End of a busy work day for me is when it hits me the hardest - when I have been on my feet, teaching and speaking for six hours and only have two small breaks. I am fine, up until 2.59 pm - then at three I am down for the count.

My last person leaves my class and I switch off - I can't be bothered moving, turning off computers, getting work together, putting textbooks back - nothing. I am thinking through fluffy clouds of cotton wool, walking through cement, my petrol tank is literally empty and planning my next task before I get to go home is torture. I sit down and stare into space (and sometimes I sit there for what seems forever - and sometimes it is), trying to compose my thoughts and mobilise my body to do as I tell it to.

I usually try to schedule my days better, and my boss generally lets me work around a schedule that I can manage. I have had lots of full days lately though.....ugh! Nice on pay day, but lately I have been too tired on the weekends to enjoy it.

I hvae been taking nice long walks in the evening lately. This evening as I was about to turn the corner that would eventually lead me to my house had a bench for bus riders. I was tempted to sit but I knew if I did then it would be very hard to get up. I could see a fence way down the street which I knew was across the street from me and I just kept my eye on it and went on auto pilot.

Today is one of those days! I woke up around 8:30. I had my breakfast and was planning my day. All of a sudden, I hit the brick wall. I had only been up for less that 2 hours and had to go lay down to rest. The only "strenuous" thing I did was make my breakfast of a bowl of cereal and a smoothie. My legs feel as though I just ran a 5K.

Lynn - I don't know how you do it but am always inspired by you. I would have to nap in the classroom before heading home. And yes, showers just seem to be so exhausting. I have switched my routine around and now take my shower before going to bed. It does help but I still sometimes have to lay down with my towel on until I have the energy to get my pajamas on.

Doydie - Glad you made it home ok. That's the hard thing about taking walks. I can start out fine but then BAM! I can barely move. What's more frustrating is that it doesn't happen all the time. I never know when I start out which time it is going to be. I have not limited my walking to my courtyard at my complex. That way, home is not too far if my legs decide to stop me in my tracks.

B2Y - I was like you. I had fatigue before I knew I had MS. I could go to bed at 8 at night and sleep all the way through until 5:30 when I had to get up to go to work. It got harder as my DDs grew older as they were able to stay up later. Bedtime became 9 and then 10. That was hard on me. I just assumed I was one of those people that needed more sleep. I didn't think of it as a symptom of anything. After I was dx, that all made sense to me. Of course, because of other symptoms I was no longer able to work and could nap during the day. That has helped me quite a bit.

Sleeper - I sleep anywhere between 10 and 12 hours a day. Ten hours at night and a 1 to 2 hour nap. In fact, I took a 2 hour nap yesterday which I haven't done in a long time.

Last night, when my A/C quit, I realized how just the slightest change in
room temp., can bring on sudden fatigue. I could hardly get up to transfer
to my scooter to go potty. It was kinda scary.. I hope I'll be OK till I am
able to get it fixed.

Yikes, Sally! I hope you can get your a/c fixed soon. Heat induced fatigue is no fun either. It can take me well over an hour to feel better after being in the heat too long.

Sally, do you at least have a fan to use?