New diagnosis and coping with fatigue

Hi everyone.

I’ve had confirmation from my neurologist of a diagnosis of MS based on ongoing symptoms and MRI. This was (initially at least) a bit of a relief as I’ve been thinking I have MS since major symptoms first appeared in a February this year (blurred vision and leg weakness). I’m now waiting for a DMT clinic appointment.

My neurologist says I’ve probably had three relapses in the last year based in the MRI, which seems high. I’m 51 and looking back wonder how long I’ve had symptoms that I just down to getting older.

Even though I felt relieved to have the diagnosis confirmed, I’m still struggling with lots of things, which I’m sure is common. At the moment I’m just so tired all the time, even though I’m sleeping much more than I usually do. I’m trying to improve my diet and doing a bit of exercise when I can, but wondered if anyone has other tips for managing the fatigue? And does this generally improve when treatment starts (I realise it’s going to vary a lot between people)? The other symptoms I have at the moment I can kind of cope with, but the fatigue and brain fog have really knocked me for six.

Anyway, looking forward to getting my clinic appointment. Currently reading lots about treatment options so be a bit more prepared for the next stage.

I do like this advice on diet and it’s what I do myself, broadly. Of particular interest to me is the suggestion that diet can, if you take it seriously, act like a DMD in itself.

On fatigue, I really struggled in the early days as my MS was very active and I was young and busy. Modafinil was a help, but the best help for me was getting on an effective DMD that damped things down enough to give me some breathing space. Unfortunately that took some time for me.

I’m sorry about your dx.

1 Like

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy could help with the fatigue - it does with mine. Is there an MS Centre near you that offers this?