Hi guys. I don’t have a definite diagnosis yet but this is my 3rd relapse so is highly likely it is MS. My question is, is there anything I can do to help with the fatigue? I’ve been off work for 2 weeks now and GP has signed me off for another 2. I have pins and needles, left sided weakness, balance is a major issue, concentration and memory aren’t great either right now! I can hardly do anything right now. Yesterday I drove 130 miles to visit my partners family. We stayed in a hotel overnight cos I knew I wouldn’t be able to drive back the same day. Then this morning we went to a monkey forest which is quite small (probably only walked bout 3/4 mile all morning, and then drove home. This evening I can hardly walk! I ache and my arms and legs feel like lead. In between relapses I’m a pretty active person, working full time an ICU nurse and raising a young son. What can I do to help with this fatigue?
Hello there,you do lead a busy life and I think you may have answered your own question. As soon as possible you need to prioritize where your energy needs to be expended.We are all different and only you know your limits and what is most important in your life.
If you are diagnosed with MS, and you are being very pragmatic, your GP and or Neurotic may have pills and potions on offer to help with fatigue,but taking things steady and resting when you need to/can are important.The weather may be sapping your energy as well,it sure is on me, but it affects everybody differently.
If you are diagnosed I imagine it will affect your work patterns,but there are people on here who know lots about things like that.If you’ve had any steroids yet you’ll understand when I say you’ll feel energized and will want to oderdo things.If you haven’t the thing is to try not to,but I’m a fine example.
Good luck,
Wb x
Thanks 
I guess I need to work on remembering I’m not well right now and try to rest as much as I need x
Hi Littlekit
Yes fatigue is a real pain with MS but I have to say that over the last three months or so I have been trying the Fasting approach by only consuming 500 calories on two days of the week and eating a mediteraian type food plan the rest of the week, including fish, leafy greens etc
If you can buy a copy of Eat Right for your Type off Amarzon and find out your blood type try that. The idea is to eat food that are just for your type because anything you eat thats not will drain you of your energy.
Of course if you could do gentle exercise to this would help such as swimming.
I travel the country in my job daily and have found the above approach has taken away the need to stop at the services for a kip every hour or so.
Hope this helps
Jimbo
Hi Littlekit
Yes fatigue is a real pain with MS but I have to say that over the last three months or so I have been trying the Fasting approach by only consuming 500 calories on two days of the week and eating a mediteraian type food plan the rest of the week, including fish, leafy greens etc
If you can buy a copy of Eat Right for your Type off Amarzon and find out your blood type try that. The idea is to eat food that are just for your type because anything you eat thats not will drain you of your energy.
Of course if you could do gentle exercise to this would help such as swimming.
I travel the country in my job daily and have found the above approach has taken away the need to stop at the services for a kip every hour or so.
Hope this helps
Jimbo
Thanks Jimbo.I will certainly look into this!
You do have a busy life, I have to agree with Wb, priortitise your life you and your son come first. Fatigue is hellish, best stay out the heat…including hot baths and showers, rest as much as you can. Wishing you well for the future.
Rick.
Thanks Rick x
Hi,
You really have my sympathy, my wife, a staff nurse(and my carer), works in the ecu of our local hospital, and is always exhausted at the end of a shift. It makes me feel guilty, I have had ms for the last 15 years, not worked for the last 8, and just driving her to and from work seems to sap the majority of my energy. I think you must be pretty amazing to be doing your job, whilst putting up with this horrible condition.
I wish I could advise you on how to cope, but, like you, am still searching.
I hope you stay well, and find a way to control the fatigue.
All the very best wishes,
Rob
Thanks Rob. My job is pretty exhausting. I’m off work right now because I am struggling with day to day life let alone working. But in between relapses so far I have managed ok.
Hi, yes the fatigue is a killer and trying to juggle all the demands is so hard! I too am a nurse, have MS and one little boy and am also the breadwinner at home, the only earner, so I’m constantly spreading myself thin, too thin! I’m off work sick just now with a relapse :-(…hopeing / planning to get back to work next week, cause my half pay sick pay is running out 
take care littlekit, and try to use your energy wisely…you should see my house and garden, it sure wouldn’t win any awards for a show home, no way!!! Jools X
Thanks Jools! It’s a relief to know I can continue nursing! With my 2nd relapse my boss was an absolute cow (she later got dismissed for bullying and harrassment) and said I may lose my job if they diagnose MS. I have been the only earner for 10 months but luckily my partner is now working and so he brings home enough for us to live on if I have to remain off sick. x
Hi, just remember that you only have so much energy to give and like me you have a demanding job and a wee boy, so give those your focus and to heck with everything else that depletes you, when you are lying flat out one day thinking about your life, it won’t be your shinny kitchen sink you think about, but instead the laughter of your wee boy at a mad fun Birthday party (or something similar!) it is soooooo hard to accept that you now can’t do everything, all the time, like you always used to do, can’t anymore be the constant, non stop working mummy and jack of all trades…so hard to accept! rest as much as and whenever you can and give your wee boy loads of snuggles and kisses and cuddles…that doesn’t use much energy but brings lots of feel good endorphins Jools X
Oh and you are covered by the Equality Act, so your employer can’t mess about with your job, so just work as hard as you can, be upfront and honest and you are legally covered Jools X
Thanks Jools, my partner has given me a right rollocking and told me sit down and rest cos I tried to hoover our bedroom. Problem is I’m a bit OCD about keeping things clean so I’m struggling to let it go x
I suffered badly with fatigue. Could only walk about 20 metres and would have to rest. Started Fampyra three weeks ago . Known as the ‘walking drug’. Well, it does so much more! Many benefits, but fatigue almost gone! Worth a try!
Unfortunately I don’t think they will give me drugs until they’ve confirmed it is MS x
Hey I understand, I used to be sooooooo mad about a tidy and clean house too, and I still wish it was better and it still annoys me, but when you are just about at the end of the road, have almost nothing left to give and have to chose between using what’s left on your family or your carpet… Jools x
Yeah I know what you mean. I think I need a figurative slap lol x
hehe …it is sooooo not fair and sooooo hard to live with and cope with every day, some days easier than others, but just come onto this forum, on the good days and on the bad days, for a laugh or for a cry :-S Jools X