Struggling with Fatigue Due to MS (22-Year-Old Woman)
Hello everyone. I’m a 22-year-old who received a diagnosis for multiple sclerosis about a year ago and have been on Kesimpta since then. Thankfully, I haven't experienced any flare-ups during this time, which has been a relief. However, I’ve been feeling overwhelmingly fatigued for the past two months. Despite having classes, I find myself completely exhausted to the point of falling asleep during them. I try to catch up on work at home, but even then, my energy levels plummet. My professors and parents assume I’m just being unmotivated, but that’s far from the truth. I’m struggling to cope with this fatigue. To make matters worse, I've been dealing with insomnia at night; I frequently miss my alarms, something I never experienced before. Even after a full seven hours of sleep, I still feel perpetually tired. Normally, I’m someone who enjoys sleeping a lot, but this level of exhaustion is unprecedented for me. I sometimes even forget to eat due to how drained I feel. Tomorrow, I have a video appointment with my doctor, and I plan to discuss this issue with him. I'm uncertain whether it’s worthwhile to bring this up with my neurologist, as I am aware that there isn't a specific medication to address fatigue. If anyone has suggestions or advice, I would really appreciate it!
Answers (1)
2/5/2026, 5:20:45 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's great that you are reaching out for support regarding your fatigue, especially as it can be a challenging component of living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Here are the key points to consider:
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Understand Your Fatigue: Fatigue in MS is common and can be multifactorial. It might stem from neurological factors, sleep issues like insomnia, or even lifestyle influences such as stress and irregular eating patterns.
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Linking Sleep and Fatigue: Your insomnia could be contributing significantly to your daytime tiredness. Even if you are in bed for seven hours, poor-quality sleep doesn’t fully refresh you. Additionally, fatigue can worsen if you aren’t maintaining regular eating habits.
Next Steps:
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Discuss Fatigue with Your Doctor: Bring up your fatigue and insomnia during your video appointment. It's essential that your healthcare providers understand the full scope of your experience.
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Track Your Symptoms: Keep a diary of your daily energy levels, sleep quality, and eating habits. Noting when you feel particularly fatigued can help your doctor understand patterns and contribute towards a better management plan.
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Routine Check:
- Sleep Hygiene: Establish a regular bedtime routine. Aim for consistent sleep and wake times—even on weekends. Create a restful environment by minimizing screen time before bed, lowering room light, and keeping the bedroom cool and quiet.
- Nutrition & Hydration: Make an effort to maintain regular meals and drink plenty of water. Set reminders for meals if you find you forget to eat. Regular small meals can help maintain your energy levels.
- Mind your activity levels: Balance rest with physical activity. Short walks or gentle stretching can sometimes boost energy without causing additional fatigue.
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Seek Support: Communicate with your support network about how you’re feeling. Let them know that fatigue is not a sign of being unmotivated—this understanding can foster a more supportive environment for you.
Additional Considerations:
- It may be worth discussing other potential contributors to your fatigue, such as nutritional deficiencies (like vitamin D or B12), hormonal changes, or psychological factors.
- Exploring therapy or stress-management techniques, like mindfulness or relaxation exercises, can also be beneficial.
Remember, you are not alone in this journey, and your symptoms are valid. Taking proactive steps can help create a pathway towards managing your fatigue more effectively. Please feel free to reach out if you need further support or resources!
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