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I went from not being able to sleep to tired all the time. What's happening? Anyone else ever have this? Uuugh my brain must be on fire 🔥

A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭

I reached out to neurologist but of course haven't heard back.
Wish they would treat my payment like they treat patients 🙄

August 21
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Answer Summary

Members connected over the frustrating shift from insomnia to constant fatigue that often comes with MS, sharing that unpredictable sleep... Read more

Members connected over the frustrating shift from insomnia to constant fatigue that often comes with MS, sharing that unpredictable sleep patterns are a common experience in the community. Several members shared what has helped them, including prescription medications like Trazodone, Clonazepam, and Provigil, as well as natural approaches like magnesium glycinate, melatonin, and regular exercise like swimming. A recurring theme was the importance of safety during daily routines, having someone nearby when showering, and advocating for yourself when a neurologist brushes off your symptoms.

A MyMSTeam Member

It’s gonna sound counterintuitive, but…..
After enduring the seemingly endless streak of sleepless nights, I have found that the best thing for sleeping is getting regular cardio exercise. While I still have some fits of insomnia, my 3-4 swims a week of 1800 yards wears my body down enough to keep my sleep pattern in a good place!

August 24 (edited)
A MyMSTeam Member

Hi I’ve had MS for over 30 years now when I couldn’t sleep etc I used to take over the counter Tylenol PM tablets they seamed to help me sleep and they were definitely not as strong a regular sleeping tablets etc

August 21
A MyMSTeam Member

Oh please don't get me started about how to party. The memories alone will get you high.

September 1
A MyMSTeam Member

staying as active as I can during the day helps me.. maybe if you are really feeling tired, it could be low blood iron.. not sure about that.. but, I learned if I don't use it, I lose it

August 24
MyMSTeam

Ha, if only medical bills moved as slowly as callback times, right? 😄 But seriously, what you're describing — swinging between insomnia and exhaustion — is something many people with MS experience, and you're definitely not alone in it.

Sleep problems and fatigue are very common with MS, and they often feed into each other Show Full Answer

Ha, if only medical bills moved as slowly as callback times, right? 😄 But seriously, what you're describing — swinging between insomnia and exhaustion — is something many people with MS experience, and you're definitely not alone in it.

Sleep problems and fatigue are very common with MS, and they often feed into each other in a frustrating cycle. Several sleep-related issues are linked to MS, including:

- Insomnia – difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) – uncomfortable sensations that make it hard to settle at night
- Sleep apnea – disrupted breathing during sleep that causes repeated wake-ups
- Narcolepsy – excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden urges to sleep The tricky part is that poor sleep worsens MS fatigue, and fatigue can make sleep problems worse. It becomes a tough loop to break.

One MyMSTeam member described it perfectly: "It's like waking up and feeling worse than when I went to bed."

Keep following up with your neurologist — this is absolutely worth discussing. In the meantime, keeping a symptom journal noting when sleep issues occur can really help make that appointment more productive when it happens.

August 21

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