Blog

Parkinson's and Fatigue

10/03/2011

Many people with Parkinson's disease experience fatigue. They often say they feel tired, even exhausted. It can be just as disabling and unpleasant a symptom as the motor slowing or the trembling.  Fatigue is typically experienced as a state of being tired, weary, exhausted and without energy. Some people say it feels like walking underwater. Everything is an effort and exhausting. You can have fatigue and no depression. Most people with fatigue are not not sad.

The characteristics of fatigue in P.D. are:

• The lack of energy typically develops early in the course of the disease. It can come on unpredictably, causing people who were once energetic to decrease or avoid activities.
• It is not due to lack of sleep, though it can be associated with sleep problems.
• Fifty-eight percent of PD patients consider fatigue one of  their most disabling symptoms. (Lou JS. Physical & Mental fatigue in PD:2009) Some steps you can take to avoid fatigue are: 
  • Eat healthy. Try to avoid the fast food and frozen dinners. Eating the right food is necessary for feeling strong.
  • Have good sleep routines by establishing a regular bed time and avoiding frequent napping or stimulation at bedtime
  • Know your limitations and seek assistance when necessary. Doing too much in one time period will cause fatigue.
  • Keep mentally active. If you are not stimulating your mind, boredom will set in resulting in fatigue.

If you feel that the fatigue is troubling to you. Talk with your doctor about recommendations for helping maintain a good quality of life.
Cari Friedman