I read this article on livestrong.com and found it pretty
interesting. As a person living with MS, fatigue is a real part of everyday
life.
Don’t confuse fatigue with being tired…that is a completely
different game all together.
For me personally, fatigue will ruin our day. I say “our”
because it effects my family as well, because now I’m down and out and plans have
changed…again.
There have been times when I pushed myself beyond my limits,
when I knew it was coming on, because I didn’t want it to beat me again. Only
to be “stuck” and not knowing how I was going to make it back to the car to get
home (obviously my wife was driving). Then sleep the rest of that day, all
night, the next day, and then all of the next night.
I usually don’t sleep as long as that last example, but
fatigue does kick my butt hard.
Luckily…
I have learned some lessons along the way, and give in a
little more easily.
I’m still stuborn, but I listen to my body…
Hold on…
That’s a lie (or half lie)…
I’m still stuborn, but I listen to my WIFE when she sees my
energy draining…
I listen to my body too…sort of.
So when I came across these tips, I thought that I
would share them with you, so that you could understand what is going on in
your world. This doesn’t explain everything about fatigue, but it is a good
starting point.
Research it for yourself, but start here first
(since you’re here already)…
7 Tips for Beating MS Fatigue
Part 1 of 10:
Common Fatigue
Almost
everyone who has multiple sclerosis (MS) also has fatigue. According to the
National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), around 80 percent of those
diagnosed with the condition will experience fatigue at some point during the
course of the disease. However, the exact cause of MS-related fatigue remains
unknown.
Part 2 of 10:
A Different Kind of Tired
Before
learning how to beat fatigue, it’s useful to understand the types of fatigue
you may face when you have MS. Researchers have started to identify a number of
distinct characteristics associated specifically with MS that make it quite
different from garden-variety tiredness, such as:
- Onset: It can
begin suddenly.
- Frequency: It often
occurs every day.
- Time of day: It can
occur in the morning, despite having slept the night before.
- Progression: It
commonly worsens throughout the day.
- Heat-sensitive: Heat and
humidity may aggravate it.
- Severity: It tends
to be more severe than other types of fatigue.
- Effect on activities: It is
more likely than regular fatigue to disrupt ability to perform everyday
tasks.
Part 3 of 10:
Tip 1: Exercise Often
According
to the Cleveland Clinic, regular physical activity can help fight fatigue
related to MS. Sticking with a consistent exercise program can help with
endurance, balance, weight loss, and general well-being—all important for
people struggling with. However, one caveat: while exercise helps some people
with MS, there are others with the condition who won’t experience the same
benefit. If in doubt, talk to your doctor before starting any kind of new
fitness program—and remember that the goal of exercise is to give you more
energy, not make you feel more tired.
Part 4 of 10:
Tip 2: Conserve Energy
Energy
conservation isn’t just important for the environment, it’s also a key
principle for those with MS. What’s your best time of day to get things
done—the time when you feel the most energetic? If you notice that you feel
less fatigue in the morning, then take advantage of your extra energy to take
care of tasks like shopping and cleaning. You can also conserve energy and
recharge your batteries simply by taking a nap.
Part 5 of 10:
Tip 3: Review Your Medications
While
some medicines including aspirin can help with fatigue management, the
Cleveland Clinic recommends avoiding using medicines to treat tiredness. This
is because as an MS patient, you may already be taking other medications, and
it’s best to limit the number of drugs that you take when possible.
If
you’re taking medicines for other symptoms, check their side effects to ensure
that they aren’t adding to your fatigue. Talk to your doctor about each
medicine that you take, and work together to determine whether those that cause
fatigue can be eliminated.
Part 6 of 10:
Tip 4: Stay Cool
MS
patients may be especially sensitive to heat. As a result, they may experience
more fatigue when they’re in a warmer environment or become overheated. Try
these techniques to cool down:
- Use air conditioning as needed, especially in the
summer months.
- Wear a cooling vest.
- Take a cool shower.
- Jump in a swimming pool.
- Drink icy beverages.
- Wear lightweight clothes.
Part 7 of 10:
Tip 5: Try Therapy
If
your own lifestyle changes don’t give you the energy boost that you need, you
may want to try occupational or physical therapy. In occupational therapy, a
trained specialist helps you to simplify activities in your work or home
environments. This may involve using adaptive equipment or changing the
environment to help increase physical and mental energy. In physical therapy, a
trained professional helps you more effectively perform daily physical
tasks—for example, using techniques or devices that may help you to conserve
energy while walking.
Part 8 of 10:
Tip 6: Regulate Your Sleep
Sleep
problems are often behind the fatigue that people with MS experience. Whether
you have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting the amount and type
of sleep you need to awaken feeling refreshed, the result is the same: you’ll
feel tired.
To
prevent these problems, it’s important to regulate your sleep. This might
involve identifying and treating other symptoms of MS that cause sleep
problems—for example, urinary dysfunction. If all else fails, you might talk
with your doctor about using sleep medications for a short period of time.
Part 9 of 10:
Tip 7: Practice Good Clean Living
Certain
behaviors may seem to help with fatigue, but in the end may cause more problems
than they solve. While drinking a hot beverage may sound like a good way to
wind down if you’re having trouble sleeping, if your drink contains caffeine as
is common in coffee or tea, you may be prevented from falling asleep, which can
lead to fatigue the next day.
Similarly,
while alcohol may help you feel sleepy after you first drink it, it can later
make it harder to get a restful night’s sleep. Review your behaviors that may
be contributing to poor sleep habits and fatigue, and take measures to stop
them.
Part 10 of 10:
Awakening to the Problem
Fatigue
from MS can wreak havoc on your life for many reasons, both at work and home.
It may severely limit the types of activities you choose, and may even result
in having to leave your job. So it’s worth it to learn how to manage the
fatigue caused by MS. If in doubt about which tips are right for you, talk to
your doctor for guidance.
