I’ve recently been diagnosed with MS (three weeks ago). It was actually kind of a relive to finally have the answer. It’s been years and to finally be told I haven’t been going mad, something is causing it. Anyways apart from the relapses I have had over the last five years, one thing vie found more recently I’m struggling with is the tiredness. It’s ridiculous some days! Wondered if anyone else has the same problems, and any advice or drugs anyone is on to help with this? Also I’ve been told by my neurologist I will be starting treatment, I’ve read a bit into what drugs are used. Is it something I choose or am I just put on whatever drug they decide? Any advice appreciated, all still quite new to me.
Hi, Fatigue is a major player in MS. Everyday I have to have a rest, I didn’t when I was first dx’d but found in the end that I just had to listen to what my body was telling me. So far as drugs go your ms nurse or neuro will help you. Hope this helps. So sorry you have joined the msers. Janet x
Ive not yet been dxed MS, but I take quite a few meds for other chronic illnesses I have. Some of which are also used by Msers. I find that I can control my fatigue a little bit with my meds. I take Targinact (opiate based controlled drugs) and that seems to wake me up and give me the extra push I need . ( Tramadol also had the same affect - I took this a few years ago). Other meds, however knock me out , Gabapentin and Amytriplin (and previously Pregablin). I take these separately from the Targinact so that I get atleast a few hours everyday (early evening) to avoid extreme tiredness. Depending on the drugs you are prescribed, you will find that you will prefer to take them at certain times of the day, according to the way your body reacts to them. Are you on any medication at all yet?
I dont know how much choice you get in which medication you will be put on, but generally (usually) you will be able to try them out to see if they agree or work for you or not. Everyone is different, our bodies react differently to medication, and like Janet states above, you will have listen to your neuro /ms nurse/ and most importantly listen to your body. It will take time. It took me 5 years to get my medication right, and as my illnesses progressed and changed, this ‘trial and error’ process is neverending.
You may already be aware of this…but alot of people with/ without Ms are saying that just by following the McDougall Diet, their symptoms improved tremendously. They suddenly had much more energy, less pain, coped better mentally and physically and overall had some more control over their health, and better quality of life, besides having to rely on their medication. I’ve yet to conquer this diet, but Im getting there. I cut out dairy a while ago and thats helping already. That might be worth looking into. The testimonals are worth reading too.
McDougall Multiple Sclerosis Diet - Some people swear by it.
Your MS Nurse should tell you about the various DMDs for MS and any side effects (or there is an MS Decisions website). Because my main symptom is fatigue, my neuro picked Copaxone for me, as he considered it the least likely to make my fatigue worse. There are a couple of meds for fatigue (Amantadine and Modafinil) that you could ask about. They’re talked about on here quite often if you want to search for them.
x