MS Fatigue
Editor's Note: The author of "MS Fatigue" has been sponsored by Biogen Idec and Elan. But the opinions of these authors are independent and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and policies of Biogen Idec or Elan. Please seek a professional's advice before changing your behavior because of something you have read here.
Author: Sande Hickey
What's the big deal? Everybody gets tired. Right? That's what I use to think until the dreaded "MS fatigue" happened to me!
It's happened to many of us with MS at one time or another, and it truly is a different kind of tired. You've been busy all day, often doing several things at once. You feel good, plenty of energy—going at 110 percent! All of a sudden, wham—it hits you! How do I describe it? It's like an elephant sitting on your shoulders or like you are dragging a block of concrete around with you. It sounds funny, but it really is a unique kind of tired.
So, what do you do about it? There are things you can do in advance to prevent the onset of MS fatigue from stopping you in your tracks, as well as some little tricks you can use once it hits you.
- Learn to pace yourself. I know, it's easier said than done, but you can do it with some practice.
- Take mini-breaks. Force yourself to sit down, close your eyes and take a little rest.
- Don't plan too many activities within the same time frame. Once again, easier said than done because the scheduling of some activities is out of your control. When you can, try to space things out.
- Ask for help, learn to accept help, and delegate and learn to say, "No, I can't!" MS is a disease that is difficult to understand, especially for your friends and family because you often just don't look "sick." They want to help but don't know what you need, especially if you don't tell them. Also, don't be afraid to say no. Listen closely to your body. It will tell you when you are starting to get tired, but you do have to pay attention.
- Make lists, plan your day, and keep a calendar. If you have a large family with lots of activities, post a calendar for everyone to use.
- Once-a-week, order pizza or other food delivery to give yourself a break from cooking dinner. When you do cook, make enough to freeze for another meal. When you shop, plan your meals for several days to avoid frequent trips to the grocery store. If your children are old enough, let them plan and cook your evening meal one day every so often.
- Realize that once you've done too much it may be too late - your body shuts down. You have to sit down and re-energize yourself. I've heard people talk about taking a power nap. I often tell my husband that I've run out of gas. He always reminds me that my tank is never that full thanks to MS, and he's right!
All of these tips are good advice, but some are hard to adapt to a busy life and career. It takes time to adapt your lifestyle to your new agenda. Don't become frustrated. Just try to make a few changes at a time in the way you do things. Gradually, you may notice a difference in your energy level.
