Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis, occurring in about 80 percent of people. It can significantly interfere with a person's ability to function at home and work, and is one of the primary causes of early departure from the workforce.
My brain goes fuzzy, I can't think clearly, my speech slurs and my eyesight goes. Swallowing becomes more difficult, my balance gets worse and my legs feel heavy and clumsy. Unlike the limits of normal, everyday tiredness, which may give a little when pushed against, MS fatigue can feel like a barrier.
It can be acute (lasting a month or less) or chronic (lasting from 1 to 6 months or longer). Fatigue can prevent you from functioning normally and affects your quality of life. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 80% of people with MS have fatigue.
Contents. You may have to adapt your daily life if you're diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), but with the right care and support many people can lead long, active and healthy lives.
Fatigue is also among the most common symptoms, reported by at least 75% of MS patients at some point in the disease course. For many, fatigue is considered to be the single most debilitating symptom, surpassing pain and even physical disability.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system that can affect the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. Common symptoms include fatigue, bladder and bowel problems, sexual problems, pain, cognitive and mood changes such as depression, muscular changes and visual changes.
There's conflicting evidence about which drugs, if any, ease MS-related fatigue. Some studies show that amantadine may have a moderate effect for some people. Other research found that modafinil or methylphenidate could improve wakefulness in people with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS).
Disease Course of MS Is Unpredictable
A person with benign MS will have few symptoms or loss of ability after having MS for about 15 years, while most people with MS would be expected to have some degree of disability after that amount of time, particularly if their MS went untreated.
MS can occur at any age, but onset usually occurs around 20 and 40 years of age. However, younger and older people can be affected. Sex. Women are more than 2 to 3 times as likely as men are to have relapsing-remitting MS .
MS fatigue can be physical and mental; it saps energy in an instant and can stop you from completing tasks. MS fatigue can be very debilitating and, unlike 'ordinary' fatigue, it can take a long time to recover from. MS fatigue is often overwhelming.
Common causes of tiredness and fatigue include: not getting enough sleep or finding it hard to get to sleep (insomnia) an unhealthy lifestyle (such as having an unhealthy diet and not getting much exercise) stress, depression and dealing with life challenges, such as bereavement or looking after a new baby.
Neurological examination
Your neurologist will look for abnormalities, changes or weakness in your vision, eye movements, hand or leg strength, balance and co-ordination, speech and reflexes. These may show whether your nerves are damaged in a way that might suggest MS.
Heat. MS affects the part of your brain that controls your body's temperature. So it's easy to get overheated. Even a small rise in body temperature can make fatigue and other symptoms worse.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) triggers that worsen symptoms or cause a relapse can include stress, heart disease and smoking.
Some people with MS may have only mild symptoms. Others may lose their ability to see clearly, write, speak, or walk when communication between the brain and other parts of the body becomes disrupted. Myelin is the fatty tissue that surrounds and protects nerve fibers. In MS, the myelin is destroyed in many areas.
Many foods we eat today can cause inflammation which is something you want to avoid when you are living with multiple sclerosis. There are many foods that can cause inflammation in the body. Processed foods, dairy products, red meat, and fried foods are some of the most common offenders.
Outlook. The outlook for benign MS isn't clear. Some people who are diagnosed with it never go on to have a more serious disease progression, while others do. Remember, just because you have mild symptoms when you're first diagnosed with MS doesn't mean that they'll stay that way.
Can I have multiple sclerosis for years and not know it? Yes. MS can go undetected for years. Research has suggested that many patients experience MS-related symptoms and signs several years before receiving a definite diagnosis of the disease.
Modafinil (Provigil) is a wakefulness-promoting medication that works for some people with MS.
Healthline reports that, “getting a better night's sleep can help you fight related fatigue, as well as battle the physical toll MS can take on your body.” The Healthline report goes on to suggest that establishing a sleep routine can help reduce fatigue and the physical toll that that MS can take on you.
Methylphenidate is a central nervous system stimulant. It is used off-label in MS for fatigue or to improve mental alertness for those with slowed processing, sometimes referred to as “cognitive fog.”