Fatigue and MS
Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms experienced by people with MS and, for some, it is the symptom that affects them most. Different people have different experiences of fatigue and it can impact on all aspects of life. It can come and go, or change over time and could be one of the first symptoms you experience, or something that appears years later.
Fatigue is difficult to explain. In MS, it is not just ordinary tiredness that people might experience after a hard day’s work or strenuous exercise. Many describe it as an overwhelming sense of tiredness for no apparent reason. Some people become tired after very little activity, or rarely wake up feeling refreshed in the morning.
While there is still much to learn about the exact causes of fatigue in MS, many people have found ways to minimise its effects.
Health and social care professionals can help with managing fatigue, but because fatigue in MS may have a variety of causes, and affects each person differently, there is no ‘one size fits all’ treatment.
Some people may be prescribed drugs, though, for many, a combination of self-management strategies, physiotherapy and exercise helps reduce the impact of their fatigue.
