Comments on: Coping with MS and the extreme exhaustion? http://managing-multiple-sclerosis.com/multiple-sclerosis-general/coping-with-ms-and-the-extreme-exhaustion Wed, 30 Mar 2011 06:10:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: stephanie http://managing-multiple-sclerosis.com/multiple-sclerosis-general/coping-with-ms-and-the-extreme-exhaustion#comment-7585 stephanie Fri, 10 Dec 2010 06:51:47 +0000 http://managing-multiple-sclerosis.com/multiple-sclerosis-general/coping-with-ms-and-the-extreme-exhaustion#comment-7585 I have also heard that some patients find relief from exhaustion and heat sensitivity when taking AMPYRA (spl?). I believe that it is prescribed primarily for mobility issues but some friends report that heat sensitivity and exhaustion is relieved as an off label benefit. I have no idea but any good neurologist should know about this drug as well as provigil and the better SSRI's like celexa and lexapro. HE/SHE should be able to counsel you. If your neuro just says something like, well it's tough being a mom and exhaustion is normal - FIND A NEW DOCTOR. This kind of exhaustion is very special and you should need to prove how debilitating your fatigue is making you feel. I have also heard that some patients find relief from exhaustion and heat sensitivity when taking AMPYRA (spl?). I believe that it is prescribed primarily for mobility issues but some friends report that heat sensitivity and exhaustion is relieved as an off label benefit. I have no idea but any good neurologist should know about this drug as well as provigil and the better SSRI’s like celexa and lexapro. HE/SHE should be able to counsel you. If your neuro just says something like, well it’s tough being a mom and exhaustion is normal – FIND A NEW DOCTOR. This kind of exhaustion is very special and you should need to prove how debilitating your fatigue is making you feel.

]]> By: stephanie http://managing-multiple-sclerosis.com/multiple-sclerosis-general/coping-with-ms-and-the-extreme-exhaustion#comment-7584 stephanie Fri, 10 Dec 2010 06:44:28 +0000 http://managing-multiple-sclerosis.com/multiple-sclerosis-general/coping-with-ms-and-the-extreme-exhaustion#comment-7584 I have had MS for almost 20 yrs. Diagnosed for 13yr. I know how desperate you are feeling. I won't relay all of the similar painful incidents but instead give you some suggestions. First of all, you need to make sure that you have a good dialogue with your neurologist or psychiatrist. It may require trial and error with several different drugs before you figure out what prescription mix works best for you. I've tried drugs that made my body awake but not my mind -the eyes open but no one home effect (cyclert and amantadine) and I've tried antidepressants that made me feel psychotic. The one drug that worked for me was provigil and I needed to take 400mg to feel just awake for 12 hrs. I have friends that function well on 100 mg. It really depends on your own chemistry. Personally, I think a combo of an anti- depressant plus alert-enhancing drug is the best solution since interferon can cause fatigue inducing depression. Nevertheless, find a good MS specialist and work on it. With regard to your 3 yr old., if she is willing to take a nap with you - GO FOR IT. You are not alone and it will not be this difficult forever. I have had MS for almost 20 yrs. Diagnosed for 13yr. I know how desperate you are feeling. I won’t relay all of the similar painful incidents but instead give you some suggestions. First of all, you need to make sure that you have a good dialogue with your neurologist or psychiatrist. It may require trial and error with several different drugs before you figure out what prescription mix works best for you. I’ve tried drugs that made my body awake but not my mind -the eyes open but no one home effect (cyclert and amantadine) and I’ve tried antidepressants that made me feel psychotic. The one drug that worked for me was provigil and I needed to take 400mg to feel just awake for 12 hrs. I have friends that function well on 100 mg. It really depends on your own chemistry. Personally, I think a combo of an anti- depressant plus alert-enhancing drug is the best solution since interferon can cause fatigue inducing depression. Nevertheless, find a good MS specialist and work on it. With regard to your 3 yr old., if she is willing to take a nap with you – GO FOR IT.

You are not alone and it will not be this difficult forever.

]]> By: Cat55 http://managing-multiple-sclerosis.com/multiple-sclerosis-general/coping-with-ms-and-the-extreme-exhaustion#comment-2586 Cat55 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:22:06 +0000 http://managing-multiple-sclerosis.com/multiple-sclerosis-general/coping-with-ms-and-the-extreme-exhaustion#comment-2586 I know exactly what you are going through. I also suffer from SPMS, and at times I sleep for days, during which I do not take my meds. I know that there are meds out there to relieve the severe fatigue we experience. I hope you have a supportive partner, my hubby is great and DOES understand the fatigue part of MS. There is: ritalin (sorry that;s the only I can remember at this time) You can go on the MS site (sponsered by the Multiple Sclerosis Society) and you will get the names of the other 3 out there. Then go to your doc and ask for one. Hope you feel better. All the best. I know exactly what you are going through. I also suffer from SPMS, and at times I sleep for days, during which I do not take my meds.

I know that there are meds out there to relieve the severe fatigue we experience. I hope you have a supportive partner, my hubby is great and DOES understand the fatigue part of MS.

There is:
ritalin
(sorry that;s the only I can remember at this time) You can go on the MS site (sponsered by the Multiple Sclerosis Society) and you will get the names of the other 3 out there. Then go to your doc and ask for one.

Hope you feel better.

All the best.

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