Fatigue and insomnia

  • Understanding and managing insomnia in MS
    Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder I encounter in my MS practice. It often goes untreated because people with MS accept it as part of living with the disease or because healthcare professionals (HCPs) prioritise other MS-related problems.
  • Sleep disrupted by pain and discomfort
    Here I provide some practical guidance on managing the discomfort of being unable to turn in bed and suggest ways to reduce unpleasant sensations in the legs from restless legs syndrome (RLS) and other conditions that can hinder sleep.
  • Fatigue in MS – a disabling symptom
    Fatigue in MS is common, but it is often not investigated or managed properly. This post highlights the complexity of MS-related fatigue and explains why and how to manage it holistically.

The Multiple Sclerosis Trust booklet Living with fatigue: A guide for people with MS is based on a fatigue management programme that an occupational therapist or MS nurse might run. It provides practical ideas and suggestions to help you manage your fatigue better.

The MS Society runs an online MS fatigue management course consisting of six sessions that should take around 20 minutes each. In between the sessions are exercises designed to help you think about your own fatigue.