Exhaustion!!

[jmm9503]

Maybe I've been fortunate these last 12 years, but now I am experiencing exhaustion that just won't quit. Has anybody else and how do you deal with it? I relapsed the end of November with this fatigue, and it has waxed and waned but it still comes back full force. I felt pretty good 2 weeks ago, but now I wake up exhausted and sometimes have to nap after my family goes to work and/or school. How do you deal with it? Can anybody give me their tips?

[Thinkimjob]

There are drugs aplenty to perk you up, but then you'll probably need drugs to let you sleep.

Before you know it, you're borderline Elvis.

Don't feel bad about having a lie-down or a nap. You're body is telling you it needs one.

[onlyairfare]

I use Provigil, which is a lifesaver because it enables me to work full-time and have good health insurance.

I don't use anything specifically to help me sleep, and in fact, if I am tired, I can sleep even if I have Provigil on board. But I do have a lot of muscle spasm problems, so I take tizanadine at bedtime, which puts me right to sleep.

I'd love to take a nap or lie down during the day if I feel tired, but I think my boss would not be happy about that.

[Lexie]

I work 7 to 3:30 and often have to take a little nap as soon as I get home. If not the exhaustion takes over. Don't feel bad about taking a nap if that is what your body needs. I always have to remind myself that this is not in my mind, "I have MS and have to take care of myself" I am thankful that I am able to take a nap after work if I need to. My children are grown and I have an awesome husband!

[Toomnyhats]

For me, if I don't take my Alpha Lipoic Acid and Acetyl L-carnitine every morning I am worthless. Had that confirmed one day when I accidentally forgot to take them & almost didn't make it to lunch!

I need the study dose of 400mg ALA & 2000mg ALC for the best results. Shashi has lots of information about these supplements in Tara's thread.

That being said, once a week or so I will still "run out of gas" & need to sleep several extra hours. I have been known to come home from work, take a nap before supper so I can make it through the night. That is just something I have to do for me.

[Shashi]

You don't need the drugs to perk you up. There are two anti-oxidants, which your body needs anyway, which can help with fatigue. Try 1,000 to 2,000 mg of acetyl L-carnitine and 200 to 400 mg of alpha lipoic acid every morning. They've worked great for me and a lot of other folks here. And, as I said, it's not like getting yourself hypered up on artificial medications which can be harmful.

[jmm9503]

Thanks everyone for your tips, I'm certainly going to implement them into my life. Where do I purchase the supplement?, I would like to add them to my daily regime.

[Shashi]

Thanks everyone for your tips, I'm certainly going to implement them into my life. Where do I purchase the supplement?, I would like to add them to my daily regime.

You should be able to get the supplements at Walmart in lower doses. I think they usually have an 800/100 combination dose. You can also get them online through various vitamin stores. (I get mine from Puritan's Pride.)

Please be aware that it can take up to a month to feel the full effects of the supplements and you need to take them every morning on an empty stomach, if possible. (Though sometimes the acetyl L-carnitine can cause heartburn. I have to take mine with food.) Also, if you're taking any meds for thyroid problems or diabetes, you need to talk with your doctor before taking the supplements, as they can increase the effectiveness of these medications, which may necessitate an adjustment in the dosages of the meds.

I hope you get some relief from the fatigue soon. I know how horrible it can be.

Hugs,

Lisa