MS Fatigue - An Introduction
This lens will explore multiple sclerosis fatigue and what makes it different from other types of fatigue. My wish is to help the reader gain an understanding of the type of lassitude that can strike a person with multiple sclerosis.
Thank you for taking the time to read this lens and I hope that you gain the knowledge that you came here looking for. If you have any questions, please feel free to drop me a line.
Peace!
Diana
What makes MS fatigue different than other types of fatigue?
Taken from the National MS Society Sourcebook on Fatigue
What Makes MS Fatigue Different?Several different kinds of fatigue occur in patients with MS. For example, patients who have bladder dysfunction (producing night-time awakenings) or patients with nocturnal spasms, may be sleep deprived and suffer from fatigue as a result. Patients who are depressed may also suffer fatigue. Patients who need to expend considerable effort just to accomplish daily tasks (e.g., dressing, brushing teeth, bathing, preparing meals) may suffer from considerable fatigue as a result.
However, in addition to the other sources of fatigue, there is another kind of fatigue that affects MS patients. Researchers are beginning to outline the characteristics of this so-called 'MS fatigue' that make it different from fatigue experienced by persons without MS.
* Generally occurs on a daily basis
* May occur early in the morning, even after a restful night's sleep
* Tends to worsen as the day progresses
* Tends to be aggravated by heat and humidity
* Comes on more easily and suddenly
* Is generally more severe than normal fatigue
* Is more likely to interfere with daily responsibilities
MS-related fatigue does not appear to be directly correlated with either depression or the degree of physical impairment.
My own story of fatigue and MS
MS Fatigue is one of those topics that I wish there was no need to discuss. Because of disabling MS-related fatigue, I was personally brought to my knees and gradually displaced from a career in IT that involved a lot of cognitive work and attentiveness. In my mid-to-late 30's I had really begun to thrive in my career with a large R&D company and had found a place moving up the ladder.The ladder was good, the ladder was just my style. In 2003, I began to deal with more and more "fatigue" that would arise out of the blue. I felt like I'd just awoken but no sooner did I feel awake when fatigue would slap me across the face and I would find myself completely exhausted and unable to process thoughts or decisions. Something was just not right.
As time continued, I found myself more duped by fatigue and found that it was interfering with not only work, but other aspects of my life as well. Fatigue was interwoven into everything I did. I didn't like it at all ... there had to be a fix, right?
I learned quickly that MS fatigue was common and that 80% of MS'ers suffer from it. That seemed like a crazy statistic. In 2003, I started and stopped several drug regimens and finally settled on an anti-narcoleptic drug called Provigil. This medication would help me get my life back.
Due to fatigue, among other factors, I was retired from the workforce (read: "long-term disability") in 2004. Since that time, I have learned to find my zone and learned the balance between stress, rest and fatigue. I've learned to understand my own personal triggers and I've also begun to learn the sensitive algorithm of activity, stress, heat/cold and fatigue.
Are you an MS'er with MS fatigue?
If so, how much has fatigue impacted your life?
What can you do to help with fatigue?
Options for dealing with fatigue include:
# Occupational therapy to simplify tasks at work and home.
# Physical therapy to learn energy-saving ways of walking (with or without assistive devices) and performing other daily tasks, and to develop a regular exercise program.
# Sleep regulation, which might involve treating other MS symptoms that interfere with sleep (e.g., spasticity, urinary problems) and using sleep medications on a short-term basis.
# Psychological interventions, such as stress management, relaxation training, membership in a support group, or psychotherapy.
# Heat management-strategies to avoid overheating and to cool down.
# Medications-amantadine hydrochloride and modafinil (Provigil®) are the most commonly prescribed. While neither is approved specifically by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of MS-related fatigue, each has demonstrated some benefit in clinical trials. The most recent trial of modafinil, however, reported no difference between modafinil and placebo in relieving fatigue.
Napping with Pzizz - A real energy boost!
My Pzizz Unit is a real mainstay for me, I love it!
Provigil, coffee, Red Bull, Coca Tea -- I have tried them all and daily use a combination of them to keep me functioning. Life is too much fun to sleep through it and MS fatigue is one of my most disabling symptoms (is it yours?). Given all these factors, I have been prescribed daily naps by my neurologist along with Provigil to help me function better, heal, and de-stress. My life is good. I am able to augment my naps with a little help from my Pzizz. What the heck is a Pzizz? Well, check it out!
In as little as 15-20 minutes, pzizz can help you control your day. It clears your brain, improves focus, lowers stress and lets you get on with your work by helping you take a short performance break.
Pzizz uses something called "NLP" or Neuro Linguistic Programming. Neuro Linguistic Programming is defined as the influence of language patterns on the brain. It shows us how language patterns program our minds and form our views.
NLP is a system in which the brain is viewed as a computer that can be reprogrammed to think and feel in a way that helps people achieve specific goals.
This means that with the structured language patterns within pzizz we can achieve a change in the state of the body and mind with a lasting post-experience effect.
Without getting more scientific and mathematical than I need to (I'll leave it up to you to look up more of that yourself on the Pzizz Website) I'll just tell you that this is one of the coolest things I own and I find it indispensable for my daily napping. Since the inception of this product (I've had my Pzizz since 2005 and purchased one of it's first generation products - the hardware pictured above on your right). I love the thing. Currently, there are many more modules and software options. It's an absolutely amazing invention and is worth a look if napping is imperative for you or you need a little help getting to sleep.
Enough about me ... you should check it out for yourself.
Coca Tea (Mate de Coca) for fatigue
I deal with EXTREME fatigue -- it's the kind of fatigue that knocked me out of the workforce and the kind i have to deal with everyday. I have found that Coca Tea is a great energy booster.-
Coca Tea - Mate de Coca
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Thank you for visiting my lens -- please take a moment to rate it. Visit often as I am adding new stuff all the time. I have been drinking coca tea since I was a little girl and I love it! Coffee has been a part of my ritual since I ent...
Multiple Sclerosis Resources
The MS Workbook: Living Fully With Multiple Sclerosis
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 08/07/2008)
Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis
Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 08/07/2008)
Exercises for Multiple Sclerosis: A Safe and Effective Program to Fight Fatigue, Build Strength, and Improve Balance (Exercises for)
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 08/07/2008)
Managing the Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (Managing the Symptoms of)
Amazon Price: $14.96 (as of 08/07/2008)
Multiple Sclerosis: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier
Amazon Price: $13.22 (as of 08/07/2008)
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Thanks for visiting, please leave a note!
Do you have MS or know someone with MS? Is fatigue a big part of the picture for you?
Drop me a note to tell me your story or drop me a note to say hello,
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darbee
Your lens is so good at describing MS fatigue. Not to many people realize what it is like to not just be physically tired, but mentally as well.I have MS and most people don't understand why I need a nap every day. They just think I'm lazy, which is not the case. Thanks for your informative lens! I'm new to squidoo but hope people will look my lens up on dealing with being home bound. Posted July 28, 2008 |
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3DPhotoCharmJewelry
Hey gkygrl! Posted July 28, 2008 |
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DOUA
Your lenses are always helpful. This is no exception. Posted September 27, 2007 |
