MS Comic: Fatigue Makes Getting Ready for the Day Exhausting

By Brooke Pelczynski

With MS, every little task uses up precious energy. Due to fatigue and other symptoms, showering, getting dressed, even brushing out hair can be so draining that those things may be all a person can do in one day. Many people with MS plan out their days to conserve energy and make time to rest in order to avoid overdoing it and triggering a flare-up.

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Therry Neilsen Moderator
Oh Brooke! This is why we have chairs in the shower, so we can sit down while we run our fingers through my mercifully short hair. There aren't enough spoons in my drawer to put on makeup the days i shower.
1. Brooke Pelczynski
 hahaha! I have started alternating my shower and wash hair days! One task is enough for me haha!
dianedee
I would list fatigue as the #1 most troublesome symptom of MS. It wasn't too bad when I was 1st diagnosed. I find I get up out of bed everyday (though later and later), but I'm still tired. I'm older, 76, and that sure make's a difference. I also find decision making a struggle. So frustrating.
1. Brooke Pelczynski
 That is so frustrating!! but staying in bed is nice 😀
judyvarley
Fatigue for me is physical not mental. I can stay up until the last man dies, but my body tells me to sit down and relax. Walking even with a walker becomes more and more difficult as time goes on. I can putter around our small one bedroom condo doing my usual chores, but even then I get slower and slower. I am 73 now and have had MS since high school. I have insomnia so I take a sleep aid. Fatigue isn't tired and napping all the time for all. Especially not me.
1. judyvarley
 just as frustrating though.
Kim Dolce Moderator
For years I only showered twice a week because I was too weak to do it every day. I started using a shower chair, which helped, but I had to rest for an hour afterwards before blow-drying my hair. And hah, my arms were so weak I had to stop after a couple of minutes! Grooming took hours. Then something wonderful happened. I started taking Ampyra, a drug that was designed to help us walk faster. Not only did it do that, it strengthened my legs, and everything else! Now I zip through the grocery store, load and unload my car, and put the groceries away without having to rest in between. Gardening is easier, too. I still have to rest at regular intervals, but I'm so much stronger and I don't need to ask for help anymore. Just wanted to share a success story. Sometimes we can get better over time. Even though MS is a progressive disease, our bodies can also heal and improve, and drugs can help that process.
f5hwo4
I had a appointment this morning with a physical therapist, I had carpal tunnel surgery recently. I managed to get dress and put a little makeup on around my eyes. One plus about wearing a mask you don't need to wear much makeup. When it came time to put socks and shoes on I was to tired to even think about it. I decided that the socks were the main problem especially with a bum hand. So I slipped on my shoes without socks and went out into 22F degree weather. Just another sacrifice when it comes to comfort when you have MS. Potter