Fatigue is unique to MS and affects 94% of people. Because it is an invisible symptom it can be difficult for family/friends/colleagues and even yourself to understand. You are not lazy you have just run out of energy. Many people find it affects them differently and at different times of the day, month and year. It can impact on work/life balance and can start to take over, making it feel that life is an ongoing struggle.
There are different types of fatigue that are specific to MS. These include:
- Short circuiting or Nerve fibre fatigue: You can do something for a while (e.g writing, walking) until the effort becomes too much and you need to stop and take a break. After a short rest it may improve and you can continue again.
- Lassitude fatigue: A continuous, overwhelming sense of tiredness that doesn’t seem related to any activity or exercise and isn’t necessarily improved with rest.
- Heat sensitivity: You may find that changes in temperature can make your fatigue symptoms worse e.g. hot weather, hot baths, having an infection, menstrual cycle. If your body temperature rises it affects how well your nerves are able to send messages (nerve conduction) resulting in using more energy.
Don't forget fatigue can be cognitice as well as physical. Do not underestimate how draining watching TV, talking on the phone or concentrating during a work meeting can be.
There are also other factors not directly linked to your MS that can impact upon fatigue and are worth considering. These include:
- Medication – some may cause side effects of tiredness or drowsiness
- Infection – e.g cold/ flu/ UTI’s. This raises your body temperature and impacts on your nerve conduction.
- Sleep disturbance – poor sleep at night will increase fatigue levels
- Environment – consider lighting, temperature and physical set up of home and work environment to conserve energy.
- Exertion/deconditioning – body having to work harder, using more energy.
- Depression/low mood – affects motivation levels to be active, makes you feel lethargic