What causes fatigue?
There may be many different causes of fatigue in MS. If you experience fatigue, it could be due to one of these factors, or a combination of several.
MS and the central nervous system
Some studies suggest that certain parts of the brain are linked to MS fatigue. But no single area of the brain has been identified. Fatigue might be due to damage in several areas of the brain or spinal cord.
Some researchers suggest that fatigue might be caused by the way that the brain adapts to the impact of MS.
MRI scans of people who have fatigue show that they use larger areas of the brain to carry out activities than people without fatigue. Perhaps the brain is finding new routes for messages when the usual nerve paths have been affected.
Finding new routes might mean it takes more energy to carry out an action, and this might cause fatigue.
But there are other processes in the brain and spinal cord that might also have an effect. We don’t yet know for sure if there is an exact link between nerve damage and fatigue.
Other MS symptoms
Muscle weakness, stiffness, pain, tremor and depression may lead to feelings of fatigue.
Living with MS
Lack of sleep, or disturbed sleep caused by things like bladder problems or muscle spasms, might also cause fatigue.
If you are less mobile and, as a result, less fit than you once were, you might have lower energy levels.
Some people also find that living with MS causes anxiety or low mood and that this adds to feelings of fatigue. For more on this, see the section on MS and mental health.
Very often, heat makes fatigue worse for people with MS. Changes in the weather, an overheated room or physical exertion can all have a temporary effect.
Infections
Infections can also raise the body’s temperature and make fatigue worse until your temperature returns to normal.
Medication
Many common drugs used to manage MS and related symptoms have side effects that add to fatigue.
If you start a new medication, change doses or change the time you take the drug, your fatigue levels might also change.
Discuss any changes with the prescribing doctor – don’t adjust your drugs without advice.
For more detailed information, see our booklet on Fatigue.
When I’m trying to explain my lack of energy, I sometimes use a mobile phone analogy… Whilst everyone else is a phone on a contract with unlimited minutes, I am a pay as you go phone, with only £1 credit each day.
