Fatigue from MS is hard to both explain and understand

Great analogies, thanks!

Word. Well said.

I describe it as having the flu or pneumonia, except no physical sickness. Prior to (and since!) my dx of MS, I had episodes of not being able to get my head off the bed. One day, the fatigue came and never left. I have it at various levels every day, all severe though.
The thing is, for me, it's okay. MS is ok. It's taught me to focus on the activities and conversations I need and to stay away from those I don't/can't. Spirituality and counseling have inspired my much-quieter life. Also, I am extremely grateful to have the housing, medical, and social support that SSDI et al, provide! Thank you for these articles!

Dear Ben, I have lived with MS for most of my life and can identify with your experience almost completely....I concluded a long time ago that most people cannot understand sickness like MS, it is a mystery to them, so I decided to accept their ignorance and ignore their statements completely.....they do not understand and probably never will .....those that do are the gold in our lives, the ones who accept the truth of a diagnosis and then have the courage to be true friends , reaching out in understanding and offering help without smothering us, genuine yokefellows if you will, I understand the tears and grief , agape from a fellow traveller.

I used to describe fatigue this way. Get in a waste deep pool of water and start walking, when you get tired - keep walking, when you know your exhausted - keep walking, when you know you can't take another step - keep walking, when you are about to collapse you know what MS is.....and that's just the first part of your morning.

Thank you, sir, for your service and for your input. I was diagnosed in '82 and my neurologist has me at the "secondary progressive" stage. I had to stop driving in 2005 and that really stinks! But I have been married to a retired Physical Therapist for 45 years and life is great! My best wishes for you and your family. I can be reached at [email protected]. Also, I was in the Naval reserves. Darrell

I use a tired vs weak explanation . Since my legs and core are primarily affected I explain that my body, especially legs don’t want to hold me up
Thanks for a great article!

I have had MS for 22 years now. In my earlier years with MS I described my fatigue along the lines of your metal fatigue analysis. Describing it as it you took a coat hanger and bent the the top of the hanger repeatedly back and forth, the metal heated and eventually broke due to fatigue. Now some 20+ years later with SPMS my fatigue is much greater and takes me down every day. The best way to describe my fatigue to others now is referencing that one runner you see at the end of marathon on their hands and knees crawling the last hundred yards to the finish line. I tell others, that is me everyday.

I think that this is good work Ben, thank you. It can be difficult to convey and the often-made comment - you need a rest (& that will 'fix it'), especially when you are fatigued, can test you a bit. I like the use of Jell-O (treacle is the example I use). It is frustrating and does impact physically and mentally.

Great explanation which I read while in my “charging position” (reclining with legs elevated above hips) after a few hours of strenuous (for me some days) sitting. I never would have believed sitting would be a challenge. Good analogies. Thanks.

Really enjoyed this article about FATIGUE. It is definitely my top symptom. Battery analogy is spot on and I use it often.

Wonderful article, as I have Secondary Progressive MS, diagnosed in 2012. Trying to explain symptoms is truly difficult, not being able to think of a great way to give an analogy as you did! Keep keeping on.
Thank you

Thank you for this article!! While we may not be able to explain it to people-or even ourselves, I appreciate what you've done to try.

Thank you for this great article, generating some thoughtful comments. I have had RRMS for 24 years, and I feel old and tired just writing that! I describe my fatigue as like wading through treacle with lead boots on. There are lots of tips on how to deal with fatigue, but I have yet to find one that actually works. Still, I'm forever hopeful and won't give in to this disease. Good luck to you sir, and to all those who have shared their story here.

I just found your articles. I had my first full blown in May of 2021 but prior to that I'd noticed fatigue as well as the occasional balance issues. It wouldn't be until July of last year (2022) that I finally got a confirmed diagnosis of MS, although my Spinal Tap and MRI's both showed positive signs my initial nuerologist was retiring and despite being 99% sure I had the disease he didn't make the diagnosis or begin treatment. I sometimes wonder how much the progression up to this may have been slowed had I gotten an extra year of streatment. I think the fatigue is the most consistent symptom and hearing you explain it has helped me understand it better.