Fatigue

Fatigue is a real thing.  People experiencing fatigue aren’t lazy or unmotivated, they are just exhausted and have little to no energy to accomplish daily tasks.  

Since I began wrestling with hereditary spastic paraparesis, my energy level has decreased, and I don’t have the “pep” that I once did.  Getting a full night’s sleep is rare due to waking up in the middle of the night with leg cramps.  Sometimes I can go back to sleep; sometimes I can’t.

Through trial and error (and something I saw on Dr. Gretchen Hawley’s YouTube channel), I have been able to minimize my fatigue.  With the approval of my neurologist, I have tweaked my medication so that I take a higher dosage before I go to bed.  I still consume the same overall dosage of Baclofen per day, but I take more tablets at night before bedtime and less during the day.

Other things that I do to combat fatigue are:

Sunlight

I try and expose myself to at least 20 minutes of direct sunlight each day.  I don’t need to lay out at the pool, deck, lake or beach; just drink my morning coffee, listen to music or a podcast, or read outside in a non-shady place.  The vitamin D that soaks into my body feels really good, my mood is better, and I feel recharged.

Exercise

this is fairly obvious, but exercise of any type (walking, stretching, swimming, yoga, doing the daily chores, etc.) keeps our bodies moving, relieves stress, builds strength and stamina.  Exercise also boosts our brain health and produces natural chemicals in our bodies that increase energy levels.

Drink More Water

Cut down on the soda, coffee and other beverages and consume the clear, clean, and non-carbonated wet stuff.  Our bodies are made up of around 60% water, and our bodies need it to function properly.  Water lubricates our joints, delivers oxygen throughout our internal system, boosts skin health, helps with digestion, and flushes the body waste in our systems.  For me, drinking water also makes me feel better and increases my energy levels. Plus, it has zero calories.

Nutrition and Supplements

I won’t quote specific medical studies and I don’t pretend to be a nutritional guru, but I feel better and have more energy when I eat “clean” and consume smaller portions.  Don’t get me wrong; I still love a big meal at Waffle House or a huge plate of good ‘ole Southern comfort food but I’ve found that my body performs better when I put better food in my system.  It’s common sense.  Food is fuel for our bodies, and our bodies perform at a higher level when the fuel is purer.  More fruit, fiber, vegetables, and protein.  More water.  I take a multivitamin daily, as well as a B12 gummy (for energy) to make sure that I get the right amount of nutrients.  In addition, I take a Turmeric gummy to see if it makes a difference in my mobility.  The jury is still out on the Turmeric because I just started to make it part of my daily routine.  It definitely works for some people; I just don’t know if it will work for me.      

Don’t beat yourself up if you suffer from fatigue.  It’s real, and you shouldn’t ignore it and feel bad about feeling bad.  Try different things to counter fatigue and do what’s right for you.