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    explain "fatigue"

    How does this look for you? How do you know if the fatigue is MS related, or related to other valid life situations that would rightly cause fatigue (ie - caring for a family with very young children, tough job, etc?)

    Also, have any of you experienced acute, severe fatigue as a stand alone relapse? What recently happened to me is that I had a period of 6 weeks where I was so flat exhausted I just couldn't do much of anything. There's nothing wrong with me, I'm not sick or depressed, I just needed sleep so desperately, all of the time. And then it lifted, over the course of a week, improving. Now I'm back to baseline, just generally being tired, so I'm not complaining, especially after that!!!

    #2
    yes

    What you explained for the 6 weeks is exactly what my original flair was. No other symptoms. Just this overwhelming need to sleep. That was over 20 + years ago. Now for me it is an overwhelming muscular fatigue to not be able to do a "full" day of anything, except rarely, and then I pay for it more so on the next day.

    During the summer, it is like running up against a wall sometimes.

    I also have a muscular fatigue, too. After so long, my muscles especially on my right side will greatly slow down if doing something that is a long walk or repetative arm movement like folding laundry/cleaning. Then it will not work anymore at all. No walking or arm movement until that muscle rests for awhile.
    God Bless and have a good day, Mary

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      #3
      Thanks, Mary.

      I am in the process of finding an actual MS specialist. My current neuro, when I told him about that 6 week period, said it had nothing to do with MS. So I thought I was a little crazy - then I started researching, and it seems like this is pretty close to a text book example of a relapse involving fatigue, at least in it's acute manifestation. I have known all along that MS is not his focus, but he was so quick to just shut me down when I told him about it that I thought maybe something else was going on. After talking to my GP, I believe I was right the first time when I suspected it to be a flair.

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        #4
        I had fatigue so bad that I couldn't even stay awake when I had my spinal tap. Slept right through it. I still get fatigued, but but not nearly as bad as it was. I'm also sure that it was a relapse. I was also told by that neurologist that fatigue wasn't a part of MS, or the pain I was experiencing, or the nausea I had almost every day. This forum helped me get my sanity back. Many people on here experience pain with their MS and many people on here experience nausea from their MS. I also figured that that was not the neurologist for me and found a new one that understood what I was going through and knew a whole lot more about MS. Right now the fatigue isn't as bad, but is still here. The nausea is more controlled. The pain fluctuates from bad to worse. Today is going to be a tough one, pain wise.

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          #5
          In the early years everyday activities, like a swim at the beach, left me exhausted, but I'd come good after a sleep, and I could still swim and go for long walks.

          Now I could no sooner swim in the surf than I could win the Nobel prize for physics.

          I think at some point fatigue is due to general disability. Going anywhere, doing anything wipes me out, because I have no balance, and I am clinging to walls like a gecko.

          Yes, I'm in the middle of a flare, but it's hard to tell the difference these days.

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by Thinkimjob View Post

            Yes, I'm in the middle of a flare, but it's hard to tell the difference these days.
            I have been thinking the same thing lately.

            After a difficult summer and a 4 day IV treatment... I just don't feel any better.
            I am weaker when I exercise and cannot seem to gain my strength back.
            Still following my same diet, doing my best to keep up my exercise program....But I feel like POOP all the time.

            I don't think I am going to bounce back from this.
            It is terrible feeling more than," just tired" forever.
            Lately it is a struggle to just take care of myself much less do anything productive.

            Fatigue is the invisible force that sucks the life from my body.
            Or you could just say Fatigue SUCKS!!!

            Comment


              #7
              MS fatigue is debilitating. Sleep does nothing to help and there is no "second wind", just more fatigue. IMHO, it is the most misunderstood symptom.
              Jen
              RRMS 2005, Copaxone since 2007
              "I hope to be the person my dog thinks I am."

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                #8
                It breaks my heart to hear of those of you who just cannot get your energy back. I think I fear a constant state of fatigue like the small glimpse I had more than anything else.

                The hardest thing for me is that I am quite strong willed - I've always been able to push through just about anything and make it happen. But not this. This beat me, and it was devastating to realize that I couldn't just will myself to overcome it. I hope and pray this new neuro will hear me when I explain it.

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                  #9
                  I hate fatigue.

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                    #10
                    I recently came across the best explanation of MS fatigue I've ever seen.

                    I've attampted to put a link in my profile. Hope it works!
                    "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." ~James Elliot

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                      #11
                      I recently came across the best explanation of MS fatigue I've ever seen.

                      I've attempted to put a link in my profile. Hope it works!
                      "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." ~James Elliot

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by javaaddict View Post

                        The hardest thing for me is that I am quite strong willed - I've always been able to push through just about anything and make it happen. But not this. This beat me, and it was devastating to realize that I couldn't just will myself to overcome it.

                        Humbling isn't it?

                        Never could I have imagined any loss or injury that I could not just push thru.
                        But what if the great gift of drive is still there but the body won't go?
                        How does one make sense of it all?

                        We go to the Dr., say, "Doc, I feel like crap".
                        The Dr gives us a sugar coated version of; "Get used to it. You will never get better."

                        I never could have imagined this happening if I did not live it. It seems like a really bad cartoon.

                        Nap all you want. It won't change anything.
                        I just do what I can, when I can. But I don't have a job anymore.

                        It's like Cat Mom said, There is no "second wind."

                        It has been years for me and I still have trouble accepting it.
                        My energy is gone forever??? How can that be? Where did it go? I am still here, I still have stuff to do. Where is my power???

                        But just wait, it will may get better!
                        You may get to endure condescending remarks from loved ones about how lazy you are or how you did nothing today.
                        (That really adds to the joy of fatigue!)

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by Thinkimjob View Post
                          In the early years everyday activities, like a swim at the beach, left me exhausted, but I'd come good after a sleep, and I could still swim and go for long walks.

                          Now I could no sooner swim in the surf than I could win the Nobel prize for physics.

                          I think at some point fatigue is due to general disability. Going anywhere, doing anything wipes me out, because I have no balance, and I am clinging to walls like a gecko.

                          Yes, I'm in the middle of a flare, but it's hard to tell the difference these days.

                          laughing so hard right now because you explained me to a t with the "clinging to the walls like a gecko" thing!!!!

                          Comment


                            #14
                            I can't remember the name, but there was a WWII era movie where a ship's captain desperately wanted to go back into action, even though he could hardly stand or walk after he'd been wounded.
                            He had to march in to an interview, he stood throughout, he went back to sea and being Hollywood, all was well.

                            I always looked at that and thought, right, I can push through this, I can control my body. I can make my legs work properly if I try hard enough.

                            Alas, with MS, it's not possible. There is just nothing you can do.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Originally posted by Cat Mom View Post
                              MS fatigue is debilitating. Sleep does nothing to help and there is no "second wind", just more fatigue. IMHO, it is the most misunderstood symptom.
                              Jen
                              Yes! It holds me back from so much. Sure, my body doesn't work that well but I would still be able to push through if not for the fatigue. It just short circuits everything.

                              Comment

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