Fatigue is well known to accompany MS

Fatigue is well known to accompany MS. The last bulletin (No. 22) discussed the types of fatigue found with MS. How it differs from the fatigue in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and a healthy person's fatigue has not, in the past; been objectively identified. This study describes a fatigue index (FI) that measures the ratio between muscle endurance and maximal voluntary contraction (discounting the initial strength of the muscle.) This method found objective evidence of fatigue with MS and not with CFS. Those MS subjects with signs of disease involving messages to the limbs. had a significantly higher FL These results suggest that the problems with nerve transmission in the CNS that accompany MS, demonstrably lead to increased fatigability Perhaps this is owing to spasticity or impaired recruitment of nerves.

Djaldetti R, et al. Neurology '96 (46) p632-635 Fatigue In MS compared with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Results of a recently conducted study on the treatment of fatigue in MS, were as follows: amantadine was significantly better than placebo (mock treatment), whereas pemoline was not. The benefit of amantadine was specific, and was not due to changes in sleep, depression or neurological disability.

Knipp LB et al Neurology Nov '95 45(11) p1956-61 Fatigue therapy in MS: results of a randomised placebo - controlled double blind trial of amantadine and pemoline.

Comment:
When faced with fatigue, don't forget to check your sleep habits. Are you starting early enough to get eight hours sleep? Is it very interrupted sleep with nocturia or muscle/joint discomfort/spasms/pain? Your doctor may well be able to help with control of these.