Successful fatigue management is never easy. There are many different strategies for dealing with fatigue although not all of them are appropriate for every person with MS. It is important to be patient and flexible in trying out different strategies until the individual discovers what works best for him or her. The MS nurse can help in assessing fatigue, suggesting strategies, educating, making referrals to other healthcare professionals and in setting goals toward optimal fatigue management.

Fatigue Diary: Instructions
1. Assign a number from 1 to 10 (1 being very low and 10 being very high) for:
• Your level of fatigue
• The value or importance of the activity you are doing (by comparing it to other activities you would like to do during the course of the day)
• Satisfaction you feel with your performance of the activity

2. Describe the physical work done in the Activity column (eg stood to shower for 10 minutes, carried two bags of groceries up 15 stairs, walked 300 metres to the neighbour’s house).

3. List MS symptoms as they appear or worsen during the day in the Comment column, including problems concentrating, visual problems, weakness, dragging foot, pain, numbness, etc. Include temperature of the environment when relevant.

4. Record information every hour that you are awake and write the times you were asleep.

For example:

Name: Date: Describe last night’s sleep:

12:00 Fatigue 7 Value
3 Satisfaction 2 Preparing lunch standing 15 minutes Blurred vision, very warm in kitchen

Sample form: