Hello Everyone - I am struggling with MS fatigue today. My fatigue rarely rears its ugly, droopy-eyed head, which is why I don't take prescription meds for it. However, I would love to know if you have any tips, practices or supplements that help you get through the day when fatigue hits?
Thank you 💗
Boy can I relate to your post! 🙂
Fatigue and cognitive symptoms were the ultimate reason I quit working full time (although I was dx young at age 25 in 1994 and started tx on in 1997 Avonex at age 28). Besides those two sx, I am doing "Okay."
FWIW, I worked full-time while studying part-time at night for BOTH my BS and then my MEd; so, you can still reach your goals (whatever they may be despite MS; it's just a little different now).
Yes; Provigil helps; as well as coffee! I was always "A Type A" personality; so folks really can't "See It" but I feel it. Invisibile disabilities stink; yet some aspects of the "unknown" can be both a blessing and a curse.
Stick with your meds; talk with your docs; and see what works for you. I've read that Exercise helps (counter intuitive, right?) but it may work. All I will say is that "The more I did; the better I felt."
But, I worked in Student Affairs in Higher Education. My passion! The positive vibes certainly helped, too; IMHO!
Be Safe & Be Well,
Donna
😉
Donna, this was great! Thank you!
I am a Type A personality too, so it's hard for people to understand my "off" days. Especially when this symptom and MS are invisible. But I definitely feel it.
I have a few things to get done today- fun things that I love (decorating and putting up the Christmas tree!), but I can barely keep my eyes open or have a full, coherent thought without having to think extra hard. And don't even get me started on how slowly I'm moving 😩
I can't stand being unproductive, so I wanted to see if there is anything I can be doing. Thank you for telling me about Provigil. My Neuro also told me about a vitamin supplement that might help, but of course I can't remember what it is right now...
I'm so happy to hear that it won't affect my life as badly as it's affecting my day. I am so proud of you and your accomplishments! You are inspiring 😊
CJ
It won't hurt to let some of these things go for another day. Take a nap. Binge on Christmas movies. Your body is saying, rest!
So... You were right, which is not surprising 😅 I didn't have anything that needed to get done straight away, so I put things off for a day and I slept. A lot. Like, an insane amount 😳 I'll post about it shortly with a picture of my 3 nurses. And I'm doing much better 💗 Thank you
I am so glad you are feeling better.
When I was first diagnosed, a neurologist gave me a script for Amantadine.
I was at that appointment to participate in a clinical trial for MRIs and didn't complain of any fatigue, so that was odd.
I never filled it. It might help some people,idk.
These days, I do experience fatigue on occasion and take a break when that happens.
I think exercise has helped me with that.
Sorry I can't help you more.
This is helpful, thank you😊 DM0329 mentioned exercise too. I do yoga and light exercise daily, but today it was hard. Going to try and do some stretching and exercise now to see if I can at least wake up my muscles
I hope it helped you 
Well, just change your name to napCJasmin..haha seems to be the only natural solution. Taking naps. Choosing wisely were your energy goes also makes a big difference. Reinventing the wheel is a must for ms. Wishing for the best, for you. 😀
Unfortunately I can't nap all day because I have animals who depend on me. But if I could, I totally would 😴
Hang in there. Things will get better. You’re a fighter...💪🏾😊
Sometimes it's just necessary to stop trying to be superwoman every day and give in and have an on-the-couch day otherwise the fatigue can snowball and you can feel like you're just chasing your tail.
Some PwMS say that taking a bit of extra Vit B12 helps with fatigue, and while you shouldn't overdo any supplements Vit B12 is pretty safe if you take a bit more than necessary as you just piddle it down the loo. It's a good idea to get B12 and folate checked every so often - a lot of people are low these days due to taking up vegetarian or vegan diets when they don't know what they are doing. Even people who are not vegetarian/vegan but think that cutting out dairy is a good idea can have low levels as most sources of B12 are animal based. If you are a bit anaemic then that will contribute to fatigue levels.
If taking B12 on a regular basis is being considered then it's a good idea to get levels checked before you start supplementing as there may be no need to take extra. However, the lowest level that many countries (including USA) consider acceptable is actually too low, and is based on old studies where acceptable levels were based on when serious problems started to become evident rather than at levels appropriate for optimal health.
Some research has looked at whether B12 may have a role in getting MS but the evidence is not conclusive.direct-ms.org/document/vita...
THANK YOU for this article on B12 and MS! You rock. I needed this 🙌
I do vaguely remember my neuro mentioning B12 ages ago. I am not vegetarian/vegan, but meat is (inadvertently) not a big part of my diet. Also, I am lactose intolerant and therefore naturally avoid dairy, so this may be contributing to possible low B12, thus potentially contributing to fatigue. I will read this article and look into B12 supplements with folate 👍
If you find that it is worthwhile taking B12 then try and get methylcobalamin and not cyanocobalamin. Most over-the-counter B12 or B Group multi-vitamins contain cyanocobalamin because it is cheaper to manufacture, and has better/longer shelf life.
Here's a very simple article on foods with good levels of B12 in them.
health.harvard.edu/staying-...
A bit more info
ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/V...
Another more complex article for health professionals
ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/V...
Was your lactose intolerance formally diagnosed with appropriate tests or is it something you think you have but haven't actually been tested for? Lactose intolerance is a bit like gluten intolerance - people think they have it but don't get properly tested and cut out whole foods groups without a real need to do so. Many people are now discovering that their problem is FODMAPS and not lactose or gluten at all.monashfodmap.com/about-fodm...
I'm not a huge fan of Healthline but this is quite a reasonable article on dairy and lactose intolerance and what foods might be OK for people with lactose intolerance.
healthline.com/nutrition/da...
Oh you are speaking my language with all this research and these great articles!
I was formally tested for lactose intolerance when I was 25. So, it is definitely lactose intolerance. I can tolerate gluten just fine. But that is a great point, and always good to keep FODMAPS in mind.
Thank you again 👍
My fatigue has become debilitating. Especially these days. I do B12 shots 2 times a week and take nuvigil twice a day. I also have insomnia - go figure. The insomnia came first. Then the fatigue. But days when i do the B12 shot - i get so much done!
You also have watch how much you do even when you feel good. If you push too hard - you could do more harm then good. On my good days, if i do too much i end out of commission for a week. Pills or no pills - i am a zombie and worthless.
You make such a good point- Don't overdo it on days when you feel good or you can do more harm. I am finally feeling like the fatigue is lifting, so mentally I am raring to go- I have about ten things I want to get done today. They are all physical and time consuming. But I have to tell myself to calm down, choose just a few things, prioritize. Or else I'll be exhausted again.
I'm sorry that your fatigue is so debilitating. That is so frustrating. But I am happy that the B12 shots are working for you 💗
That is the hardest part of all. Finding balance. I am still trying to find it. I had a helper for awhile - great niece on hubbys side- but with her mom and half sis getting covid.... thats over. It was so nice while it lasted
Oh my gosh I'm so sorry about her family getting covid!
But hopefully things will turn around again soon and you can have your helper back. And at least you still have the hubby 😊
My Dr. prescribed Modafinl 100mg. twice daily for my fatigue. I take a whole one in am & only a half at 3:00 PM. If I took a whole one in afternoon, I'd be up until midnight. I call the Modafinil my "Legal Upper"😊😊👍
I hadn't heard of Modafinil before so thank you for the heads up! And yes, I have be careful about having caffeine of anything in the afternoon, because then I won't sleep until 2am and I'll be even more fatigued... What a balancing act! 😬
Fatigue is a constant buddy of mine! 😂🤣😅 One tip is to try to stay on a regular schedule for bedtime, take a nap if possible, even short ones help. I do not drink a lot of coffee, but I try to avoid it after pm. Just remember to talk to dr. about it. Love, Kelly
Sleep schedules are so important! My sleep schedule was turned on its head a few months ago and I had just gotten it back on track, so hopefully this fatigue spell was just an aberration. And naps are amazing 💗 Thank you so much Kelly
I found it! Caffeine is my go to for the fatigue that is more than expected. That’s probably bad advice, but it’s all I had at one point 🤷♀️ And I had people sicker than me to take care of!
Sometimes it can be helpful to look back at what happened in the last week or month that could have influenced you having to “pay the price” with a fatigue day.
Caffeine usually is all I need, but this time was different, which is why I was so desperate for help 😳 Now I'm doing just as you said and trying to figure out what in the heck I did that is now making me pay the price...
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