If you've been diagnosed with a neurologic condition and find yourself feeling tired, you've got lots of company. Fatigue is a common symptom of many neurologic conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS), muscular dystrophy, Parkinson's disease, myasthenia gravis, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and traumatic brain injury.

We reached out to several experts for tips on reducing fatigue and conserving energy. Here's what they advise.

1. IDENTIFY THE CAUSE. Fatigue comes in different forms, says Ayesha Sherzai, MD, a neurologist at the Cedars-Sinai Brain Health and Alzheimer's Prevention program in Los Angeles. "Work with your doctor to determine the cause so you can get targeted recommendations," she says. "If the fatigue makes it hard to get to the doctor's office, call and set a time to chat. Your doctor may be able to suggest some things over the telephone."

   

2. TWEAK DOSES. Some medications, especially drugs for epilepsy, can cause fatigue, says Joseph Sirven, MD, FAAN, professor of neurology at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, AZ. "Your doctor may be able to lower the dose so the drug remains effective but causes less fatigue," he says. If not, talk to your doctor about changing the timing of your medication. For example, you may be able to take some drugs before bedtime, when a side effect of drowsiness can be a benefit, says Dr. Sirven. If you take multiple drugs, talk to your doctor about reducing that number—and therefore the risk of tiredness as a side effect.
3. GET REGULAR EXERCISE. Exercise can improve your mood by releasing endorphins—hormones that make us feel good—and taking your mind off the fatigue. In a study published in the May 2016 issue of the journal Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise, researchers from the University of Basel in Switzerland, the Psychiatric University Clinics Basel, and from Iran randomly assigned 54 women with MS to yoga, aquatic exercise, or no exercise at all for eight weeks while they continued their regular treatment regimen, including medication. Before and after the trial, participants completed a questionnaire about their symptoms. At the end of the study, the researchers found that compared with the group that did not exercise, the groups that did yoga and aquatic exercise three times a week had significantly less depression and fatigue. Check with your doctor before starting any exercise program to be sure it won't make you more tired or cause injuries, and to get recommendations for your condition, says Jack Burks, MD, FAAN, chief medical consultant of the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America in Cherry Hill, NJ.
4. SCHEDULE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY. An occupational therapist can identify ways to conserve energy in everyday activities such as dressing, bathing, and reaching for things. In the April 2016 issue of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy, for example, a case study described energy-conserving strategies for a woman with MS and dementia. These included sitting while dressing and eating breakfast earlier on days when she took a yoga class so she had time to rest after finishing her meal.

5. 

   USE ASSISTIVE DEVICES. Canes, walkers, and wheelchairs can help you conserve energy, even if you only use them occasionally or for major events like travel or a trip to the mall, says Dr. Burks.
6. ADDRESS SLEEP PROBLEMS. Difficulty sleeping can exacerbate fatigue, says Dr. Burks. Start with simple techniques such as avoiding caffeine and naps late in the day. If you're still having trouble, talk to your doctor about adjusting your medication or participating in a sleep study.
   
   

Resources

For help dealing with the emotional fallout of fatigue, consider joining a support group or calling patient organization hotlines. The Alzheimer's Association (800-272-3900) and the Multiple Sclerosis Society (800-344-4867) offer ways to remain engaged in activities while limiting your exertion.