MS charity to make film about fatigue symptoms

PEOPLE LIVING with multiple sclerosis are facing complications caused by fatigue and insomnia which are not always properly recognised by medics, a charity has warned.

Shift MS, a Leeds-based support organisation which runs online forums where people with the condition can share their experiences, is planning to make a film to raise awareness.

The charity, founded by George Pepper, of Headingley, who was diagnosed with MS in 2004, is inviting people affected by disruption to their sleep patterns to take part.

Mr Pepper explained that there were different causes of ‘primary’ and ‘secondary’ fatigue in people with MS, an autoimmune condition which disrupts nerve signals from the brain.

He said: “It’s something we hear a lot about on our forums, people talking about the issues they are having with lack of sleep. Primary fatigue is caused by MS. The nerve messages have to work harder and it takes more energy.

“Secondary fatigue is caused by the effects of living with MS.

“Issues with pain and depression can lead to fatigue, and people living with bowel dysfunction having to get up in the night.”

Shift MS hopes to help those with the condition understand their sleep-related symptoms and discuss them with their doctor. Mr Pepper said: “Often it goes unrecognised by healthcare professionals. But it heightens the impact of other symptoms.

“It’s about people with MS realising they are not alone with these issues, and that they should communicate them with healthcare professionals.”

More than 100,000 people in the UK have MS. The condition causes the body’s immune system to attack part of the brain and spinal cord.