Fatigue?And a few other things...

[JemmAus]

All the MS symptoms info mentions fatigue. Is fatigue in MS a constant thing, or does it come and go like other symptoms?
And does being ready to go to bed and sleep for ten+ hours each night by 7.30 - 8pm count as "fatigue", though one can be ok during the day?
I don't get it.....
I read on an MS site on google that migraines and seizures are uncommon, often overlooked early symptoms of MS. Does anyone know any more about that?
Also, in the last two weeks I've been getting pins and needles in my little and ring finger on my left hand....any thoughts?

[meg321]

I had the same question, my fatigue started months ago , close to a year and it slowly got worse til i couldnt do anything , i take provigil for it and for me ots a miracle drug, except of the cost, its so expensive.  But i also wonder if it will get better with ms treatment or meds.

i could almost handle a lot if i didnt have the fatigue.

hugs, meg

[mary_kay]

I too have no dx for my symptoms some of which are relatively mild.  When I think of (or experience) fatigue, I can barely make myself get out of my recliner and do something productive.  I get out of bed, go to the bathroom, get coffee, and sit in the recliner dozing in front of the TV unless I just will myself up.  It has been  better lately, so I don't know if it comes and goes...probably does.  Hope you feel better soon.  Keep checking in here. I have learned so very much!.
Mary Kay

[Quixotic1]

Hi, again!  You might want to read the Health Page on MS Fatigue.  Actually it is poorly named becasue it is more a discussion of all the different kinds of fatigue in MS.  I will write another that is only about the fatigue that is peculiar to MS and a few other inflammatory diseases.

You are describing a more common fatigue that comes after a day's activity, but is accentuated by an increased need for sleep.  This kind of fatigue is also common in MS, and is likely due to the increase muscle fatigue that comes with use of the muscles which may be affected by MS.  But you are describing a fatigue that is relieved by the extra long night's sleep.  This kind of fatigue is also described in the Health Page.

MS fatigue is more of an ever present - day interrupting - fatigue that is not improved by sleep.  A difficulty getting up and doing things.  Not all MS people have it, but close to 90% describe it at some point during the course of their illness.  And for the people who do have it, they may not have it every day, or with every relapse, and it may vary in intensity.

Yes, new onset migraines or seizures can be the first presenting symptom of MS.  This is not common, but is definitely described.  New onset migraine disease and new onset seizure both should prompt an MRI of the brain.

Quix

[Fluffysmom]

I'm undiagnosed, so I don't have clear answers with clinical back-up.  I have, since the worst of my symptoms appeared in February, been tired most of the time, even after a relatively full night's sleep.  I have had trouble with insomnia in the past, but was never able to nap.  I knew something had really changed when I suddenly found I had no trouble taking a nap.

I have had times where it has improved for several days, but I do get tired more easily than before.

As for the ring/pinky finger issue, I was diagnosed with mild right ulnar neuropathy several years ago; my last two fingers on my right hand would feel like pins and needles, tingle, or ache.  Mine also went up my arm, as I suppose the ulnar nerve starts down the arm at the shoulder.

A few years later, I had another nerve conduction test, and the nerve tested normal.

Now, the tingling/aching stuff is coming back, from my shoulder down my arm into my last two fingers.  This happened after a weird vision and fatigue event I experienced on a short trip to a very hot city. Was it related to MS?  Was it from pulling my carry-on bag or resting my ulnar nerve on an arm rest? (My dad totally lost sensation in his left ulnar nerve after a drive across the country, resting his elbow on the arm rest).

I see an MS specialist in August, and hope to get some answers to these questions and more.

I hope you find your answers, too.

Kathy

[JENNIEO]

Hey there - I started out with the ring/pinkie finger funkiness.  Progressed to wrist, forearm and onward - now both shoulders ache and across my shoulders bothers me from mid-afternoon onward.  I'm not diagnosed, but wanted to let you know your finger symptoms sound familiar to me - also I do require a lot of sleep as well (10 hours)... and USED to (until I cut way back on carbos, so it's probably unrelated) have to go to sleep in the afternoon!