Fatigue is one of the most common invisible symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). It is reported to affect three out of four people with MS and one which can have a major impact on all aspects of life, including activity performance and unemployment. For some people it is the symptom that affects them the most.
In a MS-UK survey, when asked whether they experience fatigue, 80 per cent answered yes, 17 per cent answered sometimes and 3 per cent answered no.
Fatigue may be the first symptom of MS, or a symptom that starts much later on after diagnosis. It can vary greatly from person to person and there are many different triggers.
It is a symptom that people find difficult to explain. It isn’t like the general feeling of being tired – it is an overwhelming feeling of exhaustion. It can interfere with day-to-day activities and can prevent someone from doing or completing tasks.
Fatigue can arrive without warning and can subside just as fast.
Fatigue can differ very much from person to person and can often worsen existing symptoms or bring on new ones. Some people find that fatigue can make limbs feel heavy and grip more difficult. Things like concentration, vision and speech can temporarily worsen.
There are certain things that can bring on fatigue. When you know what these things are for you, fatigue is easier to either deal with or avoid completely. Some of the most common triggers can be a hot day, humid weather, a hot bath, over-exertion, over-tiredness, a heavy meal, smoking and stress.
Fatigue in MS is thought to be caused by many factors. There are two distinct types of fatigue – primary and secondary.
Primary fatigue is believed to be down to the disease process itself and is caused by the demyelination in the central nervous system. The slowing of messages from the brain and spinal cord and a buildup of muscle weakness combined can be a cause of primary fatigue.
Secondary fatigue is not directly caused by MS itself, but where the body tries to compensate for other symptoms caused by MS. For example, sleep disturbance can be common due to spasms, pain or bladder problems. This will contribute to MS-related fatigue. Side effects from medications, stress, depression and other symptoms can all cause secondary fatigue.
It is important to find out the best way of managing fatigue. To do this you need to understand it and find out what triggers it. It may be caused by another symptom that could be easily treatable. For example, if bladder problems at night are disturbing your sleep, then make an appointment to see your GP, MS nurse or continence advisor. This can be assessed and hopefully treated.
Or it may be about learning how to conserve energy for times of the day when more is needed and prioritising daily activities.
Activity pacing is thought to help manage fatigue by making changes to activity patterns that are inefficient. This strategy is designed to help people experiencing fatigue to work within their body’s physical and mental limits and be more efficient with energy expenditure.
MS nurses and MS specialist occupational therapists can help in your fatigue management. Some run their own fatigue-management courses that will teach you strategies to help reduce the fatigue and deal with day-to-day activities. Something as simple as prioritising daily tasks can make a big difference.
A range of modifiable lifestyle factors including diet, exercise, supplementation (including omega 3), alcohol intake and drug treatment were looked at in a large study. The study strongly suggests that these factors should be considered when creating a preventative medical approach to managing MS-related fatigue.
It is very important to listen to your body. If you need to rest, then rest. If you know you have a really busy day coming up – a day out, a wedding or something that is going to take a lot of energy – make sure you rest well for a couple of days leading up to it.
Don’t be tempted to overdo it when you have a really good day. You may well end up making yourself feel a lot worse for a few days after. It is important to pace yourself and rest when you can.
By learning how to conserve your energy for times when you need it most, you can start implementing this into your daily life. It could be useful to keep a diary taking into account the daily activities done that day. Think about what you have eaten, the time of day you might have felt more tired and anything else that could possibly be a trigger.
The National Institute for Care Excellence (NICE) published guidelines in October 2014 for the management of MS. In these guidelines NICE advised aerobic, balance and stretching exercises, including yoga, in treating MS-related fatigue.
Studies suggest that exercise therapy can be an effective way to manage self-reported fatigue , particularly in the form of endurance training. Exercise has a positive effect on fatigue, so even undertaking short periods of exercise is better than doing no exercise at all.
It is advisable not to exercise to the point of exhaustion and you should stop before you reach the point of feeling tired or hot. After a session at the gym, a walk, a yoga practice or swimming you should have more energy, not less.
In NICE’s October 2014 guidelines, it advised that mindfulness can be used for treating MS-related fatigue.
Mindfulness is a meditative approach connecting the mind and the body. It is about paying attention to the moment and being aware of thoughts and feelings so they do not become overwhelming.
Mindfulness reduces stress and anxiety. Many studies have shown that brain wave activity is changed when a person undergoes mindfulness training – increasing positive emotions and reducing depression.
Mindfulness is usually taught in a weekly class over a period of a few months. Online courses and CDs guiding a learner though mindfulness training are also available.
Your GP may also know of courses run in your local area.
A common experience with MS is to become very sensitive to heat, particularly humid heat. Hot, humid summers can be very uncomfortable for someone with MS. It is important to keep cool. Air conditioning can be very helpful but if that isn’t available then a fan in each room is a second best.
Items such as Kool-Ties and cooling vests can be helpful too. Kool-Ties are a tubular scarf containing polymer crystals. When soaked in water, they absorb more than 400 times their original weight and provide a continuous cooling effect for up to three days. They work by cooling the whole body and particularly the blood flowing to the brain via the carotid arteries.
Cooling vests have special cooling crystals incorporated into the material and are soaked in cold water, holding the temperature for a substantial period of time.
You may need to give a little more thought to where you choose to go on holiday. It may be better to go on holiday off-season when it is not too hot.
A hot bath can sometimes bring on MS symptoms very rapidly, as well as leaving you feeling weak. These symptoms tend to go away once the effects of the hot bath have worn off. A cool bath or shower may be a much better option.
Amantadine A GP can prescribe amantadine for fatigue. It is an antiviral medication which is also used to treat Parkinson’s disease. It isn’t fully known why it is effective for some people with MS. Amantadine should be offered alongside a more detailed approach to fatigue management.
As with many drugs, the effectiveness of amantadine in dealing with MS-related fatigue was a chance discovery. It came about when a number of people with MS were being treated with amantadine for flu symptoms and it was found that their fatigue levels improved.
It is generally well tolerated by people with MS but it can cause insomnia, nausea, anxiety, dizziness, loss of appetite, and dryness of the mouth.
B12 In the 2014 NICE guidelines for the management of multiple sclerosis, B12 injections were not recommended in the treatment of fatigue. Although there is some anecdotal evidence that suggests some people with MS may benefit from taking vitamin B12 (Managing Multiple Sclerosis Naturally – A Self-Help Guide to Living with MS. J Graham. Published 1989, 2010. Accessed July 2021).
Acetyl-L-carnitine Acetyl-L-Carnitine is a form of L-Carnitine, an amino acid that is found in nearly all cells of the body. L-Carnitine plays a critical role in the production of energy from long-chain fatty acids. In addition, it increases the activity of certain nerve cells in the central nervous system. Some research suggests it can decrease fatigue in MS, although more study is needed.
Coenzyme Q10 According to research, people with MS who are affected by fatigue can benefit from taking Coenzyme Q10. A significant decrease on the fatigue severity scale (FSS) was seen during the study. Coenzyme Q10 can be found naturally in foods such as oily fish and meat, or it can be taken as a supplement. There are certain risks, side effects and interactions to also be aware of.
Vitamin D and omega 3 Studies have shown that taking a vitamin D and an omega 3 supplement reduces the odds of MS-related fatigue by more than half.
If you are considering taking supplements, please discuss this with your GP or neurologist to ensure they are right for you.
It is well known that eating a healthy, balanced diet helps to maintain good health and help you feel your best. This ideally should include plenty of fruit, vegetables and not too much fat, salt or sugar.
A poor diet can lead to an increase in fatigue as the body is not being fueled effectively.
Fatigue and lack of energy may also be a symptom of food sensitivity. You may wish to consider a food intolerance test to rule out any particular foods that may contribute to your fatigue.
Acupuncture Acupuncture is a therapy that has been around for many years. Acupuncture involves the use of very fine sterile needles, which pierce the skin to reach an acupuncture point. They are inserted very precisely and connect with the body’s qi. A small-scale study has shown that acupuncture might be beneficial for people who experience MS-related fatigue, in addition to usual care particularly if treatment options are limited.
Oxygen therapy Oxygen therapy is widely used across the country in many MS Therapy Centres. It involves breathing 100 per cent oxygen through a mask whilst inside a pressurised metal chamber similar to that used in diving. It has been found by those who regularly attend oxygen therapy sessions that it can greatly improve fatigue levels. One study suggests that oxygen therapy is well tolerated and can decrease the severity of symptoms including fatigue.
Action Potential Simulation (APS) Therapy Action Potential Simulation or APS Therapy machines are used to treat fatigue or pain. They use a very tiny current of electricity (a micro-amp), which stimulates the body to produce more adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy molecule, amongst other things. For many people with MS, this has resulted in reduced fatigue.
APS Therapy is available at many MS Therapy Centres in the UK.
Be Mindful Be Mindful is part of the Mental Health Foundation. www.bemindful.co.uk
MS-UK Choices booklets Exercise, MS Therapy Centres, Vitamin D, Diet and supplements, Complementary and other therapies
