Fatigue is maybe one of the most common symptoms of MS, if not the most common symptom of MS. It is reported by about 80% of people who have MS. That’s a lot of people. It causes a lot of people to leave work and can be quite debilitating.
Fatigue with MS can cause many symptoms. You might feel as though you’re not able to do as many things you were once able to do, or that your cognitive abilities aren’t as quick as they were before. Sometimes you might feel as though your muscles are more tired than normal as well.
When thinking of Lassitude, or MS Related Fatigue, a specific set of symptoms comes to mind.
Most articles you’ll read about fatigue state that the cause of MS fatigue is unknown. I call BS on that. Fatigue can be caused by a number of things. It can be related to how you’re sleeping at night- if you’re having spasms that are keeping you up or if you have to go to the bathroom frequently. Sometimes experiencing depression can lead to fatigue as well. Sometimes the effort required to do the “everyday” tasks that used to be so easy, that now take so much more effort, are exhausting.
Another cause that not many people talk about is that fatigue multiple sclerosis symptoms could be caused by the activation of our immune system. When our body experiences higher levels of inflammation and our proinflammatory cytokines increase, as well as our oxidative stress markers, our fatigue can increase as well.
Mitochondrial dysfunction may play a role as well. Mitochondria are the engines of our cells. When those are not functioning well, our cells are not functioning well. When this whole process isn’t working like it should, you’re not getting the energy that you should, and the end result? Fatigue.
Knowing what is exactly causing your fatigue will be the best way to help yourself manage it. Yes, that sounds obvious, I know. If you know that your sleep could be improved and that is causing your fatigue during the day, then start with your sleep. Or if your muscles are deconditioned, you might start with a personal trainer or physical therapist. You could also go to an occupational therapist to learn how to simplify tasks to conserve energy.
But if your fatigue multiple sclerosis symptoms seems unexplained, you might have to start digging a little bit deeper. Could inflammation be part of the issue? or a mitochondrial dysfunction? Those are harder to test for, but the treatments are readily available. A few ideas:
B Vitamins: these help to boost your immune system, increase mitochondrial energy as well as facilitate the generation of myelin.
CoQ10: an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that is beneficial for mitochondrial function. It has also been shown to have disease modifying effects on Parkinson’s disease.
Cut the sugar: reducing sugar intake will reduce systemic inflammation levels.
Include more veggies and leafy greens: these are excellent anti-inflammatory properties as well as getting in many of the nutrients you need to keep your body functioning properly.
Include Omega 3s: these are antioxidants and anti-inflammatories that have even shown clinical efficacy in SLE and RA.
These are not the only answers to fatigue multiple sclerosis symptoms, but they are big ones to look at. When thinking about potential dietary changes, first consider what you’ll add to your day, instead of what you’re taking out. It can help a lot with overwhelm.
If you’re interested in learning about the 5 Best Foods for MS, check out my cheat sheet here!
Resources:
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As I type this post, we’re on the way to 100 degrees today and we’re in the middle of a heat wave.
🥵 is an understatement lol.
If you’re an MSer.. you know an increase in temperature can cause our already compromised neurons to work even less effectively than normal.
There’s a few things I have found helpful for managing the heat:
BE PROACTIVE: Instead of waiting until you’re about to melt, use cooling strategies before you really need them.
CREATE AN OASIS: If you don’t have central AC in your house, make (at least) one room in your house a cool oasis to hide in.
ACCESSORIZE: Get alllll the cooling products. @koldtec @releafpack and a cooling vest are a must!
HYDRATE: Drink plenty of water and add electrolytes! Trace Minerals is my fav, but there is Buoy, LMNT or Liquid IV too!
But most of all, make sure to advocate for yourself and your comfort.
You deserve comfort as well as any other person.
Please don’t let anxiety and fear of “ruining” a summer day keep you from asking/stating what you need.
What are your top ways to stay cool?? Tell us below!
PS!!
I’m deep in the trenches creating a one stop shop for anything and everything MS healing. A place where you can plug into and get ideas for recipes, workouts, stress management and living life with MS.
As well as support and understanding from people who get what it means to live with an autoimmune disease.
Only the waitlist will get an invite- comment WAITLIST below and I’ll add you!!
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems #heatintolerance #healingmultiplesclerosis
As I type this post, we’re on the way to 100 degrees today and we’re in the middle of a heat wave.
🥵 is an understatement lol.
If you’re an MSer.. you know an increase in temperature can cause our already compromised neurons to work even less effectively than normal.
There’s a few things I have found helpful for managing the heat:
BE PROACTIVE: Instead of waiting until you’re about to melt, use cooling strategies before you really need them.
CREATE AN OASIS: If you don’t have central AC in your house, make (at least) one room in your house a cool oasis to hide in.
ACCESSORIZE: Get alllll the cooling products. @koldtec @releafpack and a cooling vest are a must!
HYDRATE: Drink plenty of water and add electrolytes! Trace Minerals is my fav, but there is Buoy, LMNT or Liquid IV too!
But most of all, make sure to advocate for yourself and your comfort.
You deserve comfort as well as any other person.
Please don’t let anxiety and fear of “ruining” a summer day keep you from asking/stating what you need.
What are your top ways to stay cool?? Tell us below!
PS!!
I’m deep in the trenches creating a one stop shop for anything and everything MS healing. A place where you can plug into and get ideas for recipes, workouts, stress management and living life with MS.
As well as support and understanding from people who get what it means to live with an autoimmune disease.
Only the waitlist will get an invite- comment WAITLIST below and I’ll add you!!
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems #heatintolerance #healingmultiplesclerosis
What she also didn’t know?
The MS diagnosis would be the best thing to happen to her
Ok maybe not best lol, but I now can see what a gift it was.
You see, the MS diagnosis I got eventually gave me a reckoning moment with my health.
Change something, or else this is gonna go downhill fast.
This being my body, my ability to move, to live doing the things I want to do.
And man did it help.
I went from “aggressive MS” to not even thinking about MS on some days.
This process I went through? That’s exactly what I help others with now.
I currently have 2 Individual Client spots open!! (1 might be gone soon though..)
We can work on..
✨How you’re feeling mentally & emotionally about your MS diagnosis.
✨Strategies to mitigate your symptoms, that include nutrition, movement and cognitive/emotional methods
✨Anything else your body needs
Interested in what this would look like for you?
Comment 🧡🧡 below and I’ll send you details!!
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #thisisms #becausems #multiplesclerosiswarrior #multiplesclerosissupport
What she also didn’t know?
The MS diagnosis would be the best thing to happen to her
Ok maybe not best lol, but I now can see what a gift it was.
You see, the MS diagnosis I got eventually gave me a reckoning moment with my health.
Change something, or else this is gonna go downhill fast.
This being my body, my ability to move, to live doing the things I want to do.
And man did it help.
I went from “aggressive MS” to not even thinking about MS on some days.
This process I went through? That’s exactly what I help others with now.
I currently have 2 Individual Client spots open!! (1 might be gone soon though..)
We can work on..
✨How you’re feeling mentally & emotionally about your MS diagnosis.
✨Strategies to mitigate your symptoms, that include nutrition, movement and cognitive/emotional methods
✨Anything else your body needs
Interested in what this would look like for you?
Comment 🧡🧡 below and I’ll send you details!!
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #thisisms #becausems #multiplesclerosiswarrior #multiplesclerosissupport
First..
Save this reel so you can come back to it and send it to a bestie so they can feel better too!!
Now.. how do you feel after taking that breath?
A little more calm, centered and focused?
Probably.
How we breathe is such a huge piece of the nervous system regulation puzzle, this well def help in your efforts.
Give it a try a few times a day, and let me know what you notice!!
If we haven’t met yet, Hi! 👋🏼👋🏼 I’m Alissa.
I’m a Holistic Practitioner & Therapist specializing in MS.
I use all the tools I’ve comprised over my 10+ year career (and 15+ years with MS) to help my clients decrease their symptoms, improve their overall health and get back to living life on their terms, not MS’ terms.
I currently have 2 Individual Coaching spots open!! (if you live in MA I take some insurance!!)
Comment 🧡 below to learn more!!
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #becausems #thisisms #multiplesclerosiswarrior #healingmultiplesclerosis
First..
Save this reel so you can come back to it and send it to a bestie so they can feel better too!!
Now.. how do you feel after taking that breath?
A little more calm, centered and focused?
Probably.
How we breathe is such a huge piece of the nervous system regulation puzzle, this well def help in your efforts.
Give it a try a few times a day, and let me know what you notice!!
If we haven’t met yet, Hi! 👋🏼👋🏼 I’m Alissa.
I’m a Holistic Practitioner & Therapist specializing in MS.
I use all the tools I’ve comprised over my 10+ year career (and 15+ years with MS) to help my clients decrease their symptoms, improve their overall health and get back to living life on their terms, not MS’ terms.
I currently have 2 Individual Coaching spots open!! (if you live in MA I take some insurance!!)
Comment 🧡 below to learn more!!
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #becausems #thisisms #multiplesclerosiswarrior #healingmultiplesclerosis
5 Habits to Help MS Symptoms
In no particular order:
• Food/ our diet
• Movement
• Breathing
• Tracking/Review
• Joy! Fun! Presence!
Want my free Eating for MS Guide? Comment FOOD and I’ll send it to you!
Want my 3 minute morning routine that helps your brain, body and mind?
Comment MOVE and I’ll send it to you!
Let me know if you like these lives and want to hear about more topics!
5 Habits to Help MS Symptoms
In no particular order:
• Food/ our diet
• Movement
• Breathing
• Tracking/Review
• Joy! Fun! Presence!
Want my free Eating for MS Guide? Comment FOOD and I’ll send it to you!
Want my 3 minute morning routine that helps your brain, body and mind?
Comment MOVE and I’ll send it to you!
Let me know if you like these lives and want to hear about more topics!
5 Underrated Supplements to help MS symptoms
In no particular order:
• ALA- Alpha Lipoic Acid
• NAC N-Acetylcystine
• Lions Mane Mushroom
• NADH/NAD+
• Pre/Probiotics
Have you tried any of these before??
What has been your experience?
5 Underrated Supplements to help MS symptoms
In no particular order:
• ALA- Alpha Lipoic Acid
• NAC N-Acetylcystine
• Lions Mane Mushroom
• NADH/NAD+
• Pre/Probiotics
Have you tried any of these before??
What has been your experience?
5 things to keep in mind about nutrition and MS
1. Addition before subtraction
2. Eat your fruits, veggies and fats
3. Think about how you’re eating vs what you’re eating
4. Hydrate!!
5. Consider elimination if needed
More questions on food for MS?
Grab your Eating for MS Guide in my bio!!
5 things to keep in mind about nutrition and MS
1. Addition before subtraction
2. Eat your fruits, veggies and fats
3. Think about how you’re eating vs what you’re eating
4. Hydrate!!
5. Consider elimination if needed
More questions on food for MS?
Grab your Eating for MS Guide in my bio!!
Just a guess…
Did I nail it? Almost? I bet.
I’ve seen the same patterns over and over within my clients (and tbh myself)
Growing up hyper independent..
Possibly not getting your needs met as a kid..
Feeling like you’re in control of it all girl boss style..
But unable to say no when asked to do anything..
You think you’re just being helpful, or kind, or smart..
In reality you’re keeping yourself stuck and sick.
Babe lemme tell you, there is a way out.
Embodied Resilience gives you that path out from under your unhelpful patterns (that always saying yes thing) and your over stressed life
Comment OUT below and I’ll send you details on the group.. we start next week!!
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #multiplesclerosiswarrior #nervoussystemhealing #thisisms #becausems #msawarenessmonth
Just a guess…
Did I nail it? Almost? I bet.
I’ve seen the same patterns over and over within my clients (and tbh myself)
Growing up hyper independent..
Possibly not getting your needs met as a kid..
Feeling like you’re in control of it all girl boss style..
But unable to say no when asked to do anything..
You think you’re just being helpful, or kind, or smart..
In reality you’re keeping yourself stuck and sick.
Babe lemme tell you, there is a way out.
Embodied Resilience gives you that path out from under your unhelpful patterns (that always saying yes thing) and your over stressed life
Comment OUT below and I’ll send you details on the group.. we start next week!!
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #multiplesclerosiswarrior #nervoussystemhealing #thisisms #becausems #msawarenessmonth
Stress & MS!!
• How our nervous system should function
• Why it doesn’t work “right” in todays world
• How to support our nervous system & stress response
Stress & MS!!
• How our nervous system should function
• Why it doesn’t work “right” in todays world
• How to support our nervous system & stress response
Don’t think people pleasing & being a perfectionist with 0 boundaries is adding to your stress?
Think again babe 😬
It’s amazing how different my clients have felt after stopping these patterns-
And having support while doing so is paramount.
Embodied Resilience is that place for support and change.
Comment SAFE below and I’ll send you details!!
Don’t think people pleasing & being a perfectionist with 0 boundaries is adding to your stress?
Think again babe 😬
It’s amazing how different my clients have felt after stopping these patterns-
And having support while doing so is paramount.
Embodied Resilience is that place for support and change.
Comment SAFE below and I’ll send you details!!
First, comment SAFE below and I’ll send you details on my course Embodied Resilience-
(Maybe the only live round this year) we start March 10th!!
Years and years ago, someone really confused me when they said meditating made their anxiety worse.
My baby therapist-in-training brain thought, well crap- isn’t that supposed to help???
While yes, it is supposed to, it often doesn’t.
(Especially if you’ve experienced trauma)
You see, before we get quiet with our thoughts in meditation, our bodies need to feel safe doing so.
If you don’t feel safe in your body, meditation won’t “work”.
I see this all the time in my clients:
• they’re going a mile a minute throughout the day..
• thinking 10 steps ahead of what they’re doing..
• ignoring their body all day..
then all of a sudden they sit down to try and meditate and- shocker- they “can’t”
You too? You’re not broken- promise 🧡🧡
Try this instead:
- Stop what you’re doing and actually sit down (I’ll wait)
- Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and focus on a loud whooooooshing exhale
- Put your hand on your chest and notice what your body is physically feeling (tight chest? Hole in your stomach? Exhaustion?)
- Gently sway/rock your shoulders back and forth
- Open your eyes and come back to your surroundings. Look around the room and name a few objects you see around you out loud.
- How did that feel to your mind and body?
If you’ve been trying all the things to help reduce stress + calm your body and mind but find they “don’t work” I invite you into Embodied Resilience.
This is one of my signature programs designed to help you learn how to actually manage stress in an effective way, so stress doesn’t cause a MS symptom flare or worse- full blown relapse.
We’re still in pre-sale, so to get the best price grab your spot now!!
#lissms #thisisms #becausems #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #healingmultiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiswarrior
First, comment SAFE below and I’ll send you details on my course Embodied Resilience-
(Maybe the only live round this year) we start March 10th!!
Years and years ago, someone really confused me when they said meditating made their anxiety worse.
My baby therapist-in-training brain thought, well crap- isn’t that supposed to help???
While yes, it is supposed to, it often doesn’t.
(Especially if you’ve experienced trauma)
You see, before we get quiet with our thoughts in meditation, our bodies need to feel safe doing so.
If you don’t feel safe in your body, meditation won’t “work”.
I see this all the time in my clients:
• they’re going a mile a minute throughout the day..
• thinking 10 steps ahead of what they’re doing..
• ignoring their body all day..
then all of a sudden they sit down to try and meditate and- shocker- they “can’t”
You too? You’re not broken- promise 🧡🧡
Try this instead:
- Stop what you’re doing and actually sit down (I’ll wait)
- Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and focus on a loud whooooooshing exhale
- Put your hand on your chest and notice what your body is physically feeling (tight chest? Hole in your stomach? Exhaustion?)
- Gently sway/rock your shoulders back and forth
- Open your eyes and come back to your surroundings. Look around the room and name a few objects you see around you out loud.
- How did that feel to your mind and body?
If you’ve been trying all the things to help reduce stress + calm your body and mind but find they “don’t work” I invite you into Embodied Resilience.
This is one of my signature programs designed to help you learn how to actually manage stress in an effective way, so stress doesn’t cause a MS symptom flare or worse- full blown relapse.
We’re still in pre-sale, so to get the best price grab your spot now!!
#lissms #thisisms #becausems #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #healingmultiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiswarrior
This is where I start all my clients when they want to start working on their:
- stress management and response
- nervous system regulation
- undoing the unhelpful behavior patterns that got us sick (people pleasing, perfectionism etc)
And the first step I’ll share in my masterclass tomorrow, Cultivating Resilience, all about stress + MS.
I’ll tell you about the rest of the process too.
Haven’t signed up yet? There’s still time!!
Comment STRESS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #stressmanagement #healingmultiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems
This is where I start all my clients when they want to start working on their:
- stress management and response
- nervous system regulation
- undoing the unhelpful behavior patterns that got us sick (people pleasing, perfectionism etc)
And the first step I’ll share in my masterclass tomorrow, Cultivating Resilience, all about stress + MS.
I’ll tell you about the rest of the process too.
Haven’t signed up yet? There’s still time!!
Comment STRESS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #stressmanagement #healingmultiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems
More ways my life has changed
👇🏼👇🏼
- less nail biting
- my tiggers aren’t as loud and I can move through them without shutting down
- I dissociate less when experiencing really hard things
- conflicts are shorter with the hubby
- I’m able to ask for what I need
- more enjoyment day to day
- more dancing and fun
- more attending to my own needs
- putting myself first
- boundaries!!
These don’t necessarily scream “they’ll help your MS symptoms too”
But they absolutely will!!
I’m hosting a Masterclass all about stress + MS- and how we can help ourselves manage stress more effectively which in turn helps us to manage MS more effectively.
The class is happening Tuesday evening- comment STRESS below and I’ll send you the link to register so you don’t miss it!!
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #thisisms #becausems #nervoussystemhealing #healingmultiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiswarrior #multiplesclerosisawareness
More ways my life has changed
👇🏼👇🏼
- less nail biting
- my tiggers aren’t as loud and I can move through them without shutting down
- I dissociate less when experiencing really hard things
- conflicts are shorter with the hubby
- I’m able to ask for what I need
- more enjoyment day to day
- more dancing and fun
- more attending to my own needs
- putting myself first
- boundaries!!
These don’t necessarily scream “they’ll help your MS symptoms too”
But they absolutely will!!
I’m hosting a Masterclass all about stress + MS- and how we can help ourselves manage stress more effectively which in turn helps us to manage MS more effectively.
The class is happening Tuesday evening- comment STRESS below and I’ll send you the link to register so you don’t miss it!!
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #thisisms #becausems #nervoussystemhealing #healingmultiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiswarrior #multiplesclerosisawareness
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