Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis Fatigue

Struggling with MS fatigue? You aren't alone. Approximately 90% of people living with multiple sclerosis deal with fatigue. An overwhelming sense of tiredness can be disruptive at work and take away from your family time and social life. This podcast dives into the different causes of MS fatigue, including disease impact on nervous system, medications and poor sleep. Approaches to improve both mental and motor fatigue are highlighted including energy conservation strategies, exercise and workplace changes. Fixing sleep issues can substantially help fatigue. Treatment options reviewed for causes of poor sleep such as anxiety, restless legs, leg cramps, need to urinate overnight and sleep apnea. Medication options for MS fatigue are reviewed including, amantadine, modafinil, armodafinil and amphetamines.

Barry Singer MD, Director of The MS Center for Innovations in Care, interviews:

Randy, from Must Stop MS!, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in November 2012. Initially he was worried about his future: wheelchair? providing for his family? Knowing how he felt after the diagnosis led him to become an advocate for this disease. He started Must Stop MS! on Facebook to provide support, new information regarding MS, and to raise awareness of the disease. Must Stop MS! quickly spread to Twitter and Instagram. He started a weekly Twitter chat named #ChatMS that occurs every Monday at 7pm EST. His mission is to bring the MS community together to help raise awareness, support each other, and provide hope. Randy won't stop until "we get that cure we all need."

Enrique Alvarez MD PhD is an Assistant Professor of Neurology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and cares for patients multiple sclerosis patients at the Rocky Mountain MS Center. He was a graduate of the Medical Scientist Training program at the University of Colorado Denver and completed his neurology residency and neuroimmunology fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis. He has a special interest in using biomarkers to customize treatments and patient care.

Visit MSLivingWell.org for more information.

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