Hello all! I’ve been so fatigued lately and it’s starting to effect my work (which isn’t great). I also feel tres off balance, I’m sure I look drunk while walking about. How do other people cope with fatigue? Is it something you bother your nurse with? Thanks!
Hi hun.
Sorry to hear how bad you are feeling. Yes, of course it`s something you can ring your ms nurse about. There are meds out there for ms fatigue.
Are you working full time? Why not take a bit of sick leave? A break could do you so much good.
The best advice re fatigue is to pace your activities…but if all youre doing is going to work and have no energy left for owt else, then thats a difficult one chuck.
luv Pollx
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Fatigue is the symptom which is causing me the most problems at the moment. I have been on sick leave since the middle of January because I just couldn’t function at work any longer - and that was before I had a diagnosis! That came on 10th February.
Since diagnosis i’ve had a LP, another MRI, lots of blood tests and a VEP. The neurologist who saw me in Feb has referred me to another neurologist who I havn’t heard from yet - so no signs of any DMDs so far. I finally managed to contact my MS nurse last week (she’s been off sick) and she said she would ring me today - if and when she does i’ll be asking about meds to combat the fatigue so I can get back to work.
This is a very long, drawn out business indeed and it’s really starting to get on my tits now! lol
Fully prepared to start lopping hours off my working week if the meds don’t help enough - life is too short to spend every useable hour at work!
I keep thinking of some sick leave but I’m in the middle of a massive project so it’s hard to leave, it hasn’t stopped me having 9 days off in the past month mind 
Just a little warning to you and anyone who may be thinking of reducing their hours at work.
If there is a possibility that you might retire on ill health, due to your ms, please be careful.
It is better to go on long term sick and let your firm finish you. That way you should get a better settlement package.
I did this from the LA in 2000, cos I just coulnt cope at all.
pollx
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hi axe
just to say that i agree with poll.
also remember that your pension will be based on your last salary so be wary of reducing your hours.
i stayed on the sick for 12 months until occupational health put me forward for ill health retirement.
carole x
Oh I don’t think I’m anywhere near retirement trough ill health but thanks for the advice. It is definitely worth taking heed of!
I reduced my hours due to my health, when I finally retired they enhanced my pension to what it would have been had I not been forced to reduce my hours because of my condition. I worked for the local authority so I imagine all LA’s follow the same rules.
Sorry to hijack your thread axe, most of us are careful with our time/energy. Google The spoon theory it explains fatigue and how to cope very well.
Best wishes.
Jan x
I talked to my MS nurse about it when it got really bad. She told me to take regular breaks. I spoke to my manager and they agreed to an extra morning and afternoon break. The whole office look after me and remind me to take it easy when I overdo things. I work full time and it has worked.
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I’m liking this spoon theory thing, that should get my point across to people in an easier way. I am quite tired of the confused nodding along I get whilst drawing diagrams of nerve axons and myelin sheaths while trying to explain my condition.