Fatigue?
 

I feel like I'm dying tonight.

I've been getting fatigue really bad since this current flare started. The fatigue feels like it's getting worse.

Is there anything that can treat the fatigue? How do they treat it? Do they just give you uppers or something?

The last time I felt this bad was when I was recovering from mononucleosis. Back then, I'd have to sleep 6 to 8hrs after just getting up to go to the bathroom. At least with this fatigue I can still get around and not have to sleep it off, but I feel like crap.

I mentioned the fatigue to my neuro when I saw him last friday, but he didnt offer anything. The fatigue had let up for about a week or so and hadnt hit me again til the next day after seeing the neuro.

I think it's related to the numbness that I've been having with this flare. The numbness had gone away for a few weeks after I had 3 days of IVSM last month, but now the numbness has returned and brought the fatigue monster with it. (I didnt have the fatigue until after I had the IVSM)

I feel achy like you would when you get the flu. (the real flu, not just a cold) I dont have symptoms of a cold or flu, but I feel like utter crap. My body is so tired.

Is there anything that I should ask my neuro for to deal with the fatigue???

I take Nuvigil to keep me going. The fatigue is bad but I deal with it. I don't get much done past my workday but I manage 40+ hours a week. If I didn't have to work I wouldn't take the Nuvigil but take naps instead during the day because it's expensive to take these meds.

I dont work. (not skilled, havent been able to find a job since 2002...which was before I got diagnosed with MS. I seem to get bad MS flares anytime I even think of going back to school)

I guess I could get away with napping, but if I slept as much as I want to sleep, I'd only wake up to go potty and eat. As appealing as that sounds, I dont want to spend my life sleeping.

I did just have about a 40 minute nap in my computer chair...which is not the most comfy place for a nap. My neck really hurts now. My left arm is more numb than it was when I fell asleep. (wonder if that's related to the neck pain)

I'm just not used to feeling this tired and wiped out. I'm starting to wonder if there's something else wrong with me that's causing the fatigue. Not sure what that could be. Tempted to go to my regular doctor and have him check me over for an infection or something. (or go to my dentist and see if she can find anything wrong in my mouth that could be causing a hidden infection)

I guess I should be happy that the fatigue actually lets me sleep sometimes. Since I've had problems with insomnia for a long time. It's weird to be insomniac for a few weeks, and then feel like someone is secretly slipping me a mickey in my bottled water for several weeks.

Maybe get checked out or just enjoy the ability to rest while you have it? When we take vacations I stop the Nuvigil and just lay around all week for the most part other than going to eat or maybe one workout a day.

One of the best things for insomnia seems to be exercise early in the day but avoid it near bedtime since that stimulates the mind.

The fatigue is letting me sleep, which helps my brain somewhat, but when I wake up after 10hrs of sleep and my body feels like I've been up all night, it's not all that helpful.

I just got up about an hour ago. My back feels really sore, I still feel all achy like I've got the flu or something, and my neck is killing me. I'm supposed to go to physical therapy this afternoon, but I'm considering cancelling that. I just dont think I have the energy to do it. I definately wont have the energy to drive myself home afterwards.

My right arm and hand are also becoming numb, something I just noticed. This is just getting worse and worse. This whole-body numbness is starting to scare me. Especially since I've had some mobility problems from my legs being numb at the start of this flare.

Just called my neuro...he's "out of the office" until June 21st. ARRGGHHH!!!

Erin, I take Provigil when the fatigue is really bad and I need to stay awake and alert. Otherwise I allow myself to take a nap. I don't wake up feeling "rested" but, it's better than it was before the nap. Fatigue is horrible when you know you have a limited amount of energy and you need to make the decision of what you will and will not be able to do that day :(

I had the strangest feelings in my hands the other day. Both hands fell asleep and it felt like pins and needles sticking into me while at the same time they were a bit numb and I couldn't use them. I was going to call my neuro if it continued but it only happened that one day.

Does your neuro having anyone covering for him/her????????? If not perhaps seeing your GP may help.

I hope things get better for you, Erin.

hugs,
Shayna

The 500mcg (8,333% rda) of b12 I take every day gives a little zip. I have liquid B I havent tried yet but the girl that showed it to me was speeding with a smile. Says 20,000% rda.

One of the partners at the neuro's office called me back. He told me what meds I could take (if my neuro were in town) for the fatigue. Said he couldnt Rx it to me since he wasnt my neuro and he hadnt seen me before. He did answer a few of my other questions (non-medication questions) at least.

I'm not sure I want to take these meds...one of the ones he mentioned was prozac. I'm not a big fan of taking antidepressants (bad experience with one that I was taking for insomnia)

He did tell me that I'm probably still in the flare (regular neuro told me that last week too) and that the fatigue might go away when the flare goes away. I'm hoping the numbness goes away, because if it doesnt, I may change my answer on Sally's question in the Stumble Inn about whether or not I'm happy.

Erin, I take Ritalin. I guess street name would be an 'upper'!!!! It helps some but I still have days that my DH just knows not to expect anything from me. The fatigue was what got me my disability. The person there that gives info to the judge, can't remember what his title is, told the judge that I would be calling in sick at an average of 2 days every 6 weeks. Fatigue gives no warning, the type of nights sleep you have the night before makes no difference. One thing that has helped me though was a sleep study which showed I have sleep apnea. I wear a CPAP and it really does affect my sleep and rest.

It wasn't too long ago that I was asking about fatigue and what others do! I've noticed a difference in my level of fatigue since I started taking B12. I take Provigil on days that I need it. I also take naps when I can.

I took Prozac but had sweats which I still get and quit Prozac after 1 month (2 months ago) and still sweat so maybe something else. It worked GREAT for mood. Happier.

Neuro office today patients said they use B12 inj with script. Its dirt cheap.

I Luvs me Prozac. :D

I couldnt get a doctor's appointment today, but I did get a lab visit, so I got checked out for a UTI...nothing there.

I made an appointment with the doctor on monday. I want to get my thyroid checked, and I want my B12 checked. Then I'm also going to talk to him about this stupid flare... I want to get my regular doctor's opinion on this flare seeming to get worse. My neuro is out till the 21st, and the partner neuros cost a zillion dollars (my neuro doesnt charge as much for some reason) My regular doctor doesnt cost as much as the neuro's that work with my usual neuro. Since his dad has MS, he might have a bit more experience than some doctors.

I'm going to ask my doctor if I can get some B12 shots regularly. I figure it wouldnt hurt me to get the occasional shot of B12...and having my thyroid checked mostly because I just had a bunch of IV and oral steroids and I just want to make sure that it didnt fry the thyroid.

I am so tired today. It took all I could do to drive up to the doctor's office. (and take my mom to her PT appointment...good thing they're in the same building) I really hope this flare goes away very very soon.

B12 hots you do yourself at home. Theres also liquid B I bought at grocery store. Squeeze 1 dropper under your tounge. its 20,000% rda. Try it. Not at night.

I had enough of giving myself shots when I did C. I'd rather just go to my doctor's office and let them do the stabbity part for me.

I want to know what my B12 is tho, before I start doing any supplements.

I tried the liquid B with B12 20,000% and feel more tired then if I took my tiny 500mcg B12 8,333%.

Hi Erin,

Fatigue is one of the most challenging symptoms to deal with as it is almost a catch 22 situation. I've found many times the drug Rx'd are worse than the fatigue, with their side effects. I have yet to find a med or "trick" to deal with it.

I find fatigue to be ever present while at the same time, appears to come at go at will and intensity. It's like trying to catch a shadow in different brightnesses of light. You just can't get a hold on it.

I'll go out on a limb and suggest 500mcg B12 (tiny pill) and 200-400 magnesium. Try it. Also get your testosterone level checked and send me results or post here.

Why would I need to test testosterone? (I'm a girl)

Females have testosterone too. Just like I have estriol, estrone, estradiol, progesterone. Testosterone in Men is made in testes, women outer part of ovaries (by what ive read). We both have those 5 just in different amounts.

Erin,

What are the side effects of Provigil? I'm thinking of starting it and wonder what other problems are caused by taking it???

I think the heat of summer is what causes all this fatigue. Just the warming is enough to make me "more" fatigued.

Can't you get to another Doctor? Maybe a PA (Physician's Assistant) or NP Nurse Practioner that will help you???
Keep working on it until you get answers and the help that you need. It's a constant battle. I know! I've been there. I've been fighting for my depression medicine (name brand) since January, with no results. My Medicare Part D does not want to pay for the name brand and the generic doesn't seem to be working for me. I've had some very difficult times because of this and now I still have to wait another 2 weeks until my appeal is heard.

Keep on fighting!

Kathy in Oregon

I dont take provigil. The person you were replying to does.

I dont take anything for fatigue yet. I talked to one of the other neuros at my neuro's office yesterday and he told me that he couldnt give me anything for fatigue (but he was really generous the day before and wrote me a Rx with 1 refill on it for Valium)

I'm not sure if this is a bunch of BS, but he also told me that my current numbness, pain and fatigue could possibly be a "sign of healing". (umm...yeah, sure...how does that work?)

I know part of my fatigue has to be from my inability to sleep.

I didnt fall asleep till nearly 4am this morning, and woke up at 8am. (my alarm was set for 1045am) I sat around after that, tired and not able to sleep. Around 1030, I went and lay back down and actually managed to sleep till nearly 1pm. Feel a little better now after that. Spasticity across my ribs and diaphragm and lower abdomen is still kind of...spazzy...but the few extra hours of sleep seemed to have helped a teeny bit.



I hope that neuro's claim that all these current symptoms are a sign of healing isnt just a bunch of crap he was saying to get me off the phone.

I may go take another nap. It doesnt help the tiredness as much as I want it to, but at least it's some sleep.

Hey Erin, how's your fatigue, any better? Definitely not getting at least seven to eight uninterrupted hours of sleep each night is going to add to your ms fatigue and it is cumulative so your symptoms will get worse if you are not sleeping. As contrary as it sounds, a half a zoplicone, (7.5/2) usually does it, and doesn't cause that hangover effect. A few days of effective nights sleep and you may start to feel better. That is if you are not already taking something.

One bad night of sleep for me costs me about three days minimum to recover in fatigue, cog fog and including numbness.

As I wrote to Woodhaven, in her Ritilin thread I just started this drug for fatigue and at a low dose, so far it is the most effective for me to date. Not only is giving me energy without hyperness, but is lifting my cog fog. It does not work like this for everyone however, and is a potent stimulant.
Take care, I hope you are feeling better this weekend.
Sandra

It started to get better about a week ago. So did some of the numbness I've been having.

Hopefully it'll keep getting better and I wont feel like crap most of the summer like I did for pretty much the entire spring.

I hope so too! I am sending you huge amounts of energy vibes, not that mine are very strong but I can always share! :) :) :)

No diagnosis
 

Hi my name is Tamara. I became very sick last year following surgery and just couldn't get better. Severe fatigue, fever, memory/concentration problems, dizziness, etc. They finally tested me for mono and it was positive. I am 41 years old and have been an ICU nurse for 6 years. Anyway I have been sick now for over a year. Still have fever every day, severe fatigue. They checked my mono titers again and the long term levels IgGVCA and one other have quadrupled in the last year to >8 which is as high as they measure. My doctor says I don't have mono however and she is testing me for MS. I have my MRI Saturday. My vitamin D levels are also low at 17. That is the only thing abnormal on my lab work and they have tested me for everything! I feel that all my symptoms point to chronic mono but no one seems to recognize this as a possibility. I feel as if I am searching for an elusive ghost trying to figure out what is wrong with me. I would appreciate any help.

Welcome Tamara, good to have you with us.:)

This is an old thread you came in on, so I hope others see you.

MS sometimes can take time to DX. usually, still, by eliminating other diseases.:rolleyes:

Just about evy1 with MS has had Mono or EB in their history. I did have Mono in my late teens. It seems that the same herpes virus that causes those diseases and others, may cause MS to raise it's ugly head.?

I hope you have a good rapport with your Doc. so he/she will keep checking and treat you for symptoms in the meantime.

Stay with us and let us know how the DX process goes and how you are feeling.:hug:

Swallowing problem
 

Thanks for the reply. Feeling pretty stressed right now. Ive been having a weird thing happen that I'm wondering if anyone else has dealt with. I will start to swallow and then everything just freezes and I can't finish the swallow. It's terrifying like my throat is closed up and I can't breath. I just breath through my nose and keep trying to finish the swallow. Usually happens with just a regular swallow that I'm not even thinking about, not while im eating. I dont know whats part of MS and what isnt so everything is suspicious. I get dizzy oftem but its mild, a general feeling of being off balance even though im walking fine. Does any of this sound like MS?


e

I get the swallowing problem occasionally. Usually if I'm eating too fast. Scares the crap out of me. Someone told me once to bend my neck forward if I feel like I'm having a problem swallowing. Not sure why that helps, but it does.

The dizzy, off balance feeling. I have that all the time. You can take physical therapy for that. They make you do exercises that help you learn how to keep your balance. I did that earlier this year. Didnt always help for bad vertigo attacks, but I did notice a little difference in the drunk-like wall-walking that I was doing. It's been a little easier to keep my balance as long as I dont move too quickly.

So now I'm a slow eater, and I dont walk very fast. (forget about running. I wasnt running even before I found out about the MS)

I have swalling isues just as you explained, also I choke om food a lot. I also am now having motility problems so guess this all goes hand in hand. Make sure your doc knows.