Naps work!

[Magiver]

When I visited my neurologist for my last yearly update, I complained that my Modafanil (Provigil substitute, less expensive) was not working. I frequently feel like I need a nap after I've been awake for a short time. She looked at me directly and said,"Magiver,take a nap!" I have taken her suggestion seriously. When I feel the need for a nap, I set the alarm on my phone for one hour and go where I cannot be disturbed. After that short nap, I feel great. I am so glad that my doctor recommended this. So I thought I would mention to others

[WAshingtongirl]

Hi, Magiver , I believe you may be new here. Welcome!

Your doc sounds a bit like mine. 😉 My neuro asked me what was wrong with taking a nap when I told her I couldn't make it through the afternoon without one. My naps last from 2-4 hours, though. And even though I feel better after resting, I still have no energy to keep on 'going' in the afternoon. That's just the way it is for me now. Thankfully, Ritalin helps me push through the morning fatigue and accomplish a few things.

I love this site and have made great friends here. I hope you do too! 💕

[jodigirl750 in reply to WAshingtongirl]

Hi Magiver & Tutu! I also nap daily... I don't want to. Too much to do. blah, blah, blah... But just couldn't hang. As we know, not a choice. But with my 2 - 4 hour naps, I still tired all the time, getting nothing done but being frustrated (yes, stress...) My Neuro said not to sleep more than 90 minutes. Anything past that puts you in REM sleep mode and your body will just be confused. I set my timer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours and it does make a tremendous difference. However, when my hubby is my timer, he thinks he's doing me a favor by letting me sleep longer. And he heard the Neruo's advice! I think he just wants his "own time" haha!!!

[WAshingtongirl in reply to jodigirl750]

jodigirl750 , it's great to meet you! Welcome to what I think is the best place to be if you have MS or care for someone who does.

My neuro never mentioned a max naptime. Thanks for sharing what your doctor said. I am still worthless after my nap. I get all my 'work' done in the morning. But thankfully, I am able to sleep at night even after a long afternoon nap. 💕

[jodigirl750 in reply to WAshingtongirl]

Thanks Tutu! I've been reading and learning so much from this site, but never really added anything! I was diagnosed about 1 1/2 years ago. I'm still feeling some denial. But apparently I've had for quite a while. I take Aubagio daily and everything controlled so far. My Neuro is awesome!! Hope the info helps. I still am tired, sleep a full night, but I keep pluggin' away!!

[WAshingtongirl in reply to jodigirl750]

❤️ your positive attitude, jodigirl750 . A good neuro and having your MS 'stable' are blessings. I hope you continue to fare well on the Aubagio. 💕

[greaterexp]

Sometimes, the simplest answer is best!

[Iona60]

My original neuro told me not to nap, but to get 7 good hours of sleep a night. It's 12 years later, and I can rarely heed her advice. However, I find that I do get a better nights sleep when I don't nap.

[Taylorsmom]

Hi Magiver ! I'm so torn when it comes to the whole, to nap or not to nap. I too feel like I need a nap shortly after waking or shortly after being at work. I don't do any hard labor, I work at a desk in front of a computer and may have to do some walking around to other floors for things. I said all of that to say, I don't know if I'm just tired, if it's from work, I didn't get enough sleep, is it my MS, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH. So I take the attitude to just fight through it instead of taking a nap. I don't know if I'm hurting myself in the long run or not. Things that make you go hmmmm.

[WAshingtongirl in reply to Taylorsmom]

Mental exhaustion wears me out more than physical exhaustion, Taylorsmom . Praying you are able to work for as long as you want or need to. 💕

[RobertCalifornia]

My neurologist told me not to sleep more than 12 hours at night. If I need more take naps when I need it. I only sleep 9 hours and I take B12 supplement and two Tylenol at noon. It helps me with my energy. I rarely need a nap during the day.

[Sukie427]

I sometimes so feel like napping during the day but I am afraid that if I do I will become a total couch potato and then I will just wither away and die. I'm probably wrong....just maybe trying to outrun the MS. Our lifestyle here is based on the climate. By 7:30 a.m. I am on a 2--2 1/2 hour horseback ride through the gorgeous forests and mountains, but the horses are either out grazing or back in their stalls by 10 or 10:30 because of the heat. Then I go either exercise at PT, home, or the pool. Then I either do email, study, or something else, and we usually go out for a meal because I haven't felt like cooking lately. By 2 p.m. I am either at massage therapy across town, some other therapy or exercise, or running errands or going to doctors. Some days I don't get home until after 5 and I'm not even working any longer, although I do a lot of volunteering. And by 2 p.m. I am so tired that I feel as if I could go to bed for the night. I just don't know what the answer is any more.