Fatigue is Not the Same as Being Tired
We all know what it’s like to be tired. You had to get up really early for a flight or perhaps you stayed up a little too late on a “school” night. You pushed yourself extra hard in that workout or walked a few more blocks than normal on your afternoon walk. Nothing that a little caffeine or an afternoon nap (or maybe some hair of the dog) can’t fix.
But being tired is not the same as fatigue. MS-related fatigue is not simply feeling tired because you didn’t get enough sleep. Fatigue is a full-body experience and exhaustion that feels like your arms and legs are full of sand. Your brain feels foggy, and your thoughts are fuzzy, like looking through a soupy mist. The words come a little slower and might be harder to come by. It’s a total energy zap that makes even the simplest activities (like showering) so, so hard. According to the National MS Society, about 80% of people with multiple sclerosis live with fatigue, and it’s one of the most debilitating symptoms.
MS fatigue is different from being tired because it occurs daily, can get worse as the day goes on, and can even happen in the morning after a full night of sleep. Heat and high temperatures can trigger fatigue and it takes a lot longer to recover than “normal” fatigue.
For me, fatigue is something (like most of my MS symptoms) that comes and goes, but there are triggers. Pushing myself too hard physically can bring on fatigue – this doesn’t necessarily mean working out too hard (though that certainly happens). It could be brought on by cooking a big meal, so I stand for a long time as I move around the kitchen. Or I run too many errands in one day and end up walking 7,000 steps. If I do a pilates class and then take a long walk around the neighborhood, or make the mistake of scheduling pilates the day after a physical therapy appointment (something I won’t do again!!), it’s lights out. Travel can be tough too – O’Hare and Newark are gigantic!
It’s not always physical, though; mental exertion brings on fatigue. A long day of meetings and calls, stress, or making tough decisions can leave me feeling spent. I might have to close my eyes for 20 minutes just to try to get some energy back or sit outside and soak up some energy from the sun. I never used to be someone who naps but let me tell you – I am a nap queen now.
I’m still learning how to manage my fatigue, but the best I can do is continue to understand and respect my limits. This is hard for me, because I want to keep walking, keep cooking, keep traveling, keep pushing myself in that workout. And the thing is, I can do all of those things, I just have to respect that I won’t feel awesome the next day and I’ll need recovery time.
For those with MS who experience fatigue, I’d love to know your strategies for managing fatigue. Share in the comments!
