What does lassitude really mean?

Hi. I see that G_g has posted on the wall of fatigue that hits her nearly every day, and so many others of you agree. Many reputable MS web sites refer to this as lassitude.

That surprises me, because I've never thought of lassitude that way. A check of some of the major dictionary sites gives these definitions of lassitude:

weariness of body or mind from strain, oppressive climate, etc.; lack of energy; listlessness; languor.

Lack of vitality or energy; weariness; listlessness

: a condition of weariness, debility, or fatigue

I'd say these describe me to a T. Very occasionally I'll experience 'hit the wall' kind of fatigue, but nearly every day I start out tired, listless and apathetic. And stay the same all day. That's what has caused me to drop out of several enjoyable activities, even well before my ankle fracture finished off the job. Provigil, unfortunately, does not help.

I am very lucky not to have the degree of fatigue where I can't function, as so many of you battle so often. But my quality of life is certainly erroded. I was never like this until almost 2 years ago.

Can anyone identify?

ess

[figuerpa]

Ess,

I am always tired and weak when I wake up but then I get my energy about me and I do my cleaning for the day or go tot he store. By the time I am done it is either lay down or fall down.

Even if I just lay down to watch some TV and maybe doze off, my body just needs to rest and recoup. It really stinks cause it is hard to do the things I once did with my family and friends.Thankfully now they (the family) are understanding and accept it to a point. The friends accept it but many of them have just stopped inviting me and don't call much. I don't think anyone without MS will ever completely understand because it is hard to describe unless you are going through it yourself.

Sometimes I wish there were a shot to give family members that lasted just a weekend to show them what it feels like to have MS and maybe just maybe then they would understand. I know that sounds rude but it would only be for a weekend and we have to live with it every day of our lives. (Boy that does sound rude lol)

When I was working I would make it through my work day and on my way home from work I would hit that wall, it was horrible when I was driving and I would drag myself into the house and sleep for a while.

I think I am rambling lol but I do understand and can identify with you and many others out there.

Paula

[addicted2harleys]

Hey, ess-

Thank you for bringing this up.  I battle the fatigue/lassitude.  It has been a problem for about two years now.  When it first started, I had to take a nap at around 2-3 pm every day.  If I missed the nap, I was a zombie for the rest of the day and would fall asleep for the night at around 7.  

I don't need the naps hardly at all now.  Some days I do, especially if I go out and about with dr. appts or errands.  

Now I get up in the mornings energyless.  I live with the spoon theory.  Remember that?   I start out with 10 spoons a day.   Getting dressed in the morning takes one spoon.  If I take a shower, that usually takes 2-3 spoons.  Walking even just around the house is an excursion lately.  Even walking from my room to the kitchen or living room will take a spoon each time.  Leaving the house (getting to the car and getting in and out of it) takes 2-4 spoons.  You get the idea.  When my ten spoons are gone, I hit that wall.  

My neuro tried to get me on Provigil but my insurance denied it, even through appeal.  I didn't think of trying again since I have MediCare now.  Should try it again.  

Well, that is my experience with it.
Addi

[jensequitur]

I started having problems a year before my diagnosis.  I had vertigo/dizziness at the same time every day, without fail.  Sometimes it would be so bad that I couldn't keep my eyes open, which was weird, because I'm sitting at my desk, trying to work.  My eyes are rolling back in my head from my efforts to keep them open!

At first it was like clockwork - I could set my watch by it.  Then after about three years, I started having more energy in the afternoon. My usual schedule is to work out at 3:30 every other day.  I don't know if that helped push my energy wall forward or back.  I still get the total drop in the afternoon, but I think the A-C-L helps with that.

When people tell me they get tired too, I usually don't bother explaining the difference.  But my fatigue feels very much like the kind of wiped out feeling you get with the flu.  I'm not nauseous or feverish, but I still feel so exhausted, like I've been throwing up for two days.

[daisy.girl]

Me too...I wake up tired, and yes the 'spoon theory' is exactly how I am. I am really glad to hear Paula say about giving a shot for a weekend to friends and family. I feel like everytime I say something someone  tells me they feel that way too.....like, that's what MS is? they just don't get it.

[addicted2harleys]

Oh, yeah!  I forgot about the shot for people to understand how we feel.  I think I would want that to be given to the doctors that so many of us go to for help but get shot down instead.  Yeah, I think that would be just perfect.  

Maybe we could get Michelle and/or JJ's son to get to work on this shot, too!

Addi

[supermum_ms]

hey ess,

I totally relate!

Fatigue was probably the one big warning sign that all was not right, the other stuff I could make excuses for because nothing as yet stopped me functioning, the fatigue was an eye opener because when it hit, it just knocked me flat, I'm totalled by an invisible mack truck lol. All my life i'd been naturally energetic, a why walk when you can run type of gal lol some of my friends had affectionately named me 'EverReady' which is the name of a battery over here, obviously due to my abundance of energy and not from anything else you might think up ROFL.

2003 was the first time I experienced 'real' fatigue, I ended up rushed to hospital because i'd collapsed from trying to get to the kitchen, I simply didn't have the strength to hold up my own body, that was bad but I have experienced worse since then. I find it frustrating to be physically fatigued, my Psyche still wants to do things but my body wont let me, i'm thus more aware of what i'm missing.

When the fatigue progresses to mental fatigue too, then in truth i'm less aware of what needs doing, or what i'm missing, the only thing i want to do is sleep to recharge my failing battery. I'm not compos mentis enough to care, sometimes when its really bad, it feels like my brain is shutting down all 'IT' persceives as unnecessary functions, whats left is just the basics of life. Breathing!

Seriously, there are no thoughts, feelings, desires, from my perspective when my fatigue is bad, its the one thing that I cant handle with grace or dignity, its got its grip and i'm just along for the ride, I am irrelivant!

I'm in it at the moment, I know i'm sliding and there is nothing I can do about it but hang on and wait it out. I've got my daughters birthday dinner tomorrow, so much to do and all i've managed is to put the groceries away and i'm physically totalled and ready to cry from being so so tired, I didn't even go and buy them. I've been awake for 4 hours and have been pushing my self to stay awake for 2 of those lol I HATE FATIGUE!

What the heck is it that snaps me out of a bought of fatigue, I dont do anything magical for it to leave, lol that would be easy cause i'd just keep on doing it. All I do is sleep and sleep and sleep and sleep and yes sleep and then one time i'll get up and it feels different and it just gets better from then on. So what the heck is it?

Cheers..............JJ