fatigue meds

How do you deal with fatigue?  What meds do you use and how effective are they?  I'm tired of being tired!

Sherry

[6-paq]

I've read that a lot of MSers use anti-depressants for fatigue.   I am on Lexapro for anxiety, but do find that I do have more energy than usual.

I have also read that many use acetyl l-carnitine and alpha lipoic acid for fatigue.  It's an OTC product.  According to a study I've seen somewhere, l-carnitine/ala works better than amantadine for MS fatigue.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=14759641&ordinalpos=2&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

[Momzilla]

Hi, Sherry and Pat~

My doc said he is going to prescribe Provigil for me the next time I see him.  He is adjusting my migraine medicine as we speak (over the next few weeks) and just wants to change one medication at a time.

I believe Quix takes Provigil as well.  I used to take it for obstructive sleep apnea and really liked it.  

Take care!

Zilla*

[risnerrose]

Can I expect a different med for each symptom: fatigue, nerve sensations, vision, etc.?  In the past I wouldn't even take aspirin . . . but I am ready to feel better.

[Momzilla]

Yes, I'm afraid that's what it sounds like to me.  But someone who's been diagnosed would be better able to answer you about that.  Sorry!

I'm just learning, myself, and I'm as desperate as you are for relief!

Let's hang in there together!

Zilla*

[monotreme]

I have very bad fatigue, take alpha llipoic acid (it works by increasing the amount of insulin your cells can absorb, thereby reducing the serum insulin levels), and then   you could in theory have more energy.  If you want to know what supplement will give you energy, try ginseng.  One brand you can get in drug stores around me is called "Ginsana".  You can also buy ginseng at health food stores.  That definitely perks me up.

Also, go off white flour and high fructose corn syrup and avoid white potatoes too.  When I do that I also have more energy....Craig

[BondyinOz]

Yeah, try low GI foods - I had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and a low GI diet really helped me I think.

[Roxie0818]

200 mg Provigil as needed works for me........but the problem is I over do it sometimes since I do have energy then I pay for it the next day......

[risnerrose]

Since this post, I have gone on Provigil and have regained my daytime hours.  It has been wonderful to make it through the day.  That said . . . I find although I am awake that my body is still exhausted.  I manage to go through my entire work week (but have started napping in the afternoon again) but I feel like I'm forcing my body to remain awake . . . that I truly need the sleep but I'm stiumlated awake.  

What is about MS that causes fatigue?  Does the brain simply "think" you are tired, but the body truly is fine . . . or . . . is the body actually exhausted?  I thought it was simply a brain thing, until now  . . . but if it is . . . my brain is doing an excellent job convincing my body that it is exhausted : )


Also, I find when my other symptoms are at their worst, that the Provigil just can't keep up with the fatigue.

Anxious to hear other's experiences,

Sherry        

[Paboo]

I have Fibromyalgia and the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome which goes along with it.  First diagnosis was MS because all of the symptoms are identical except of brain leasions (or so I am told).  MS in later years normally becomes more depillatating than Fibro, but from what I was told everything else is somewhat close.  Anyway, the Provigil has worked wonders for me.  Without it, I am in a bed on concrete.  I cannot move.  I take 200 mg per day.  I still get very tired, but I am up, friendly, and ready to go!!  I also take Topamax which seems to gives energy as well, but it makes my brain go in so many different directions, I can't take the full dosage.  I reduced it back to 25 mg.  I also take Lyrica and it really controls some of the nerve ending pain that you experience.  Other than that, no other drugs for me!

[Want to feel well!!!]

Glad to hear you have found Provigil to be somewhat helpful.  

I do not have MS (however still in limbo land) but I do take Provigil (100mg or 200mg depending on how I feel).   It has helped improve daily life tremendously.  Somewhat like you, I have found that if I am experiencing a day of my weird flare ups (chills, low grade fever, body aches) the Provigil is pointless and it even seems to make me feel worse, so I don't take it on those days.

Also, I have to take it with food.  If I take it on an empty stomach I feel ill, but taking it with breakfast works well for me.

My doctor told me it was a “cleaner” medication and that the side effects from it should be minimal, and in my case he was correct.  It took me a while to tweak it to work best for me, and now that I have I am very thankful to have it.
  
My goal is to find the true cause of whatever causes my symptoms so I don’t have to take a pill to get through my day, but until then I am glad I have it!

Wanna

[risnerrose]

Do you ever find yourself awake, but your body still feels exhausted?  

[Paboo]

That seems to be all the time with me!  Even taking the Provigil, I may have energy, but that does not mean that I am not exhausted.  It just means that I can lift my head off the pillow, get out of bed, and actualy be a human being for a little while during the day!  Actually with the combination of the Provigil, Lyrica, and the Topamax, I think that is a good combo for energy.  Seems to help me!  It is 9:00pm CST right now where I live, and I have been up since 6:00am, so I am really tired now.  I have the chills and flu body aches going on big time.  No fever.  I am going to get in the whirlpool, relax and then go to bed for the night.  I wish you all a very restful and blessed night.