Don't take any meds for fatigue. I just give into it and rest or
go back to sleep.

That has helped me. There have been times I wake in the morn
and 2 hrs. later I can't even stand up and I go back to bed and sleep
a couple more hrs. then wake and feel much better.

Listen to your body.

Jappy

Wow... thank you all for your replies and well wishes. I forgot how much I missed this place!

Over the weekend I tried something new. When I felt tired, really tired, I took a nap. Saturday and Sunday both. What a difference! I can't believe how much better I felt. I listened to my body... what a concept!

I do feel like I am in a relapse. It has been a rough summer. At my neuro visit, he suggested that I start using a cane because my balance has gotten so much worse. Without it, he is afraid I may fall and hurt myself. I've been going downhill like that for several months. But I actually feel it leveling out a bit. A lot of the same, but nothing new or worse.

I really didn't want to take any more meds, but I'm now welcoming them if he prescribes it. I feel like I live off of coffee and diet pepsi, yet I read (something I love to do) a couple of paragraphs in a book and I'm yawning and falling asleep. I'm still waiting to hear the results of the sleep study. I will also be curious to get the results of my latest brain mri to see if there have been any changes. I may have to do it over though because I had problems with my veins collapsing when they tried to inject the dye..... 7 times! They told me it was probably because I'm dehydrated, which is probably true since like I said, I live off of coffee and diet pepsi... it's hard to get regular water in there, or I would have to live in the bathroom.

Anyway, thank you so much. I feels so good to have someone understand how I am feeling!

Amantadine worked for ahwile for me but it also made my muscles very tense. Provigil didn't work. So I have been on Ritalin for about 5 years now. I also didn't think I had sleep apnea but after a sleep study I found out I did. My C-PAP really helps me with my sleep which just gives me a sounder sleep. I can't say that my fatigue is that much better. I even use the CPAP when I take a nap. I really missed it when our electricity was out for 3 days when the midwest was hit by so many wind starms after Hurricane IKE hit.

Well, I got the results from my sleep study. I have severe obstructive sleep apnea. I'm so upset right now... Isn't having MS enough??? Ugh... sorry, just feeling sorry for myself right now....

Blondi remember that knowledge is power! Get tht CPAP and get some sleep!

Okay, I've passed the feeling sorry for myself moment. Thank God, I hate it when I get like that. I go in Saturday night for the next part of my sleep study to use the cpap machine. I'm nervous, but ready to just get on with it.

I couldn't sleep last night. Everytime I was just about to fall asleep, I would have a panic attack and I was wide awake again. I think it freaked me out, knowing for sure that I stop breathing (according to my test results) 23 times per hour!:eek: I may have to take something to help me get to sleep tonight.

Good luck Blondi. I don't know if the sleep lab you go to is anything like mine was but one thing I could be assured of was that I was watched. You have the oxygen monitor on, the chest monitor is on and the 24 hour camera is on over the bed.

Yes, that sounds exactly like the one I go to. I can't believe how many people have sleep apnea. Since finding out I have it, so many people have told me they have it too. Everyone I've talked to has raved about how much better they feel since using cpap.

Although I'm not excited about sleeping with a mask attached to a machine, I'm looking forward to finally getting a good night's sleep and having more energy. I haven't had that in a very long time. I've always just assumed it was due to my MS. Thankfully my neuro looked outside of the box and recommended the sleep study.

Thanks for helping me through this!

Blondi,

I have a friend who uses the CPAP and he and his wife are very GRATEFUL to have it! He sleeps, therefore he functions in the day and his wife says the machine does not bother her at night at all.

Good Luck with it!

My doctor and Lady's are in agreement. Our bodies NEED the sleep for a reason. I consider it "Brain Repair Time"...you may find that you still need to take some naps!

Well, I survived the night with the CPAP machine. I got used to a lot faster than I thought I would. It wasn't enjoyable by any means, but it wasn't as horrific as I thought it was going to be.

I still have wait for the results of this study to go to my dr, then he will give me a rx for a machine. I thought this would happen a lot faster, but I'm going to enjoy my last week or so sleeping without a mask. :)