This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Everyday now I get a burning, aching, tired feeling in my legs, getting worse near the end of the day. It feels like after you've worked out a lot but I've just been doing regular daily activity. Is this part of the 'MS fatigue' that I hear about or is that meaning sleepy tired? I'm wondering if exercising will help what I am experiencing or make it worse because they already feel like I've worked them out too hard, but yet I'm thinking maybe I need to stregthen the muscles and then they won't get so tired? Does this burning feeling ever go away? It's really annoying and I have it in my back still too from my episode a month ago.

My legs occasionally feel that way too even when I haven't done anything strenuous. I figured that general muscle weakness and burning is just part of my MS. I usually do lay off the exercise for a few days though until my legs feel stronger. I'm afraid that if I over-work them when they are feeling that way that I will have more problems with normal walking and that they might buckle more on me during the day. When I have had my relapses my legs are always affected and it has taken at least a few months for my legs to feel back to normal. I also have gotten this feeling and it's only lasted for a day or two. How long have you had this feeling?

Hi hlm -

I have a burning sensation on my feet as if they were sunburned. This is part of my MS symptomology. i just put my feet up and try to rest them although they still burn at night in bed...I guess I am stuck w/it at this time

hlm, do you take b-complex? if so, may i ask how much per day?

I am not currently taking a B complex. I honestly didn't know which one to get! There's B-12, b-50 complex, b-complex, etc. etc. So many different b numbers I didn't know where to start. Also, since I'm going to be trying to get pregnant I don't want to take too many extra things but if it's important, I will consider it. So how do I choose which one?

The feeling in my legs has gotten stronger the last couple days. It gets worse near the end of the day.

Hi him!
What you're describing sounds like MS fatigue to me. I get the same feeling when I've been on my feet too long or have walked too much.

Asking your PCP to test your vit/min levels is a good place to start. He/she can tell you what you need to start supplementing based on your results.

Strengthening your muscles can help, but start gradually. If you over-do it, you could end up with worse tired and aching legs than you started with. You could try starting out with small sets of gentle stretching exercises. Once you're familiar with what your limits are, you can start gradually adding weight.

-Kay

hlm, tests of nutrient status are a very smart idea (i'm not biased lol)

several of the b complex vitamins are known to be low in ms cases - b12 is just the 'flagship' as it were. they're also important in pregnancy.

if you want to just try something out, a b-50 complex is a good starting point. the amounts are safe for long term use, but if you try it for say 3 weeks to see if you notice a difference, it could help. you probably already know that b9 is always recommended to expecting mothers.

if you decide to start the b50 without a test first, just keep your doctor in the loop in case he or she wants to do some bloodwork.

more info:

b1 thiamine - requirements much higher in pregnancy
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11021334
During pregnancy, approximately 50% of the women develop a biochemical thiamine deficiency, whereas the thiamine status falls, but remains within normal limits, in most other women

b2 riboflavin, b3 niacin (nicotinamide)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18779918
Maternal intake of fat, riboflavin and nicotinamide and the risk of having offspring with congenital heart defects.
A maternal diet high in saturated fats and low in riboflavin and nicotinamide seems to contribute to CHD risk...

the choline in b-complex is another important factor, along with b9 folic acid, in preventing neural tube defects.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19593156
Choline and Risk of Neural Tube Defects in a Folate-Fortified Population.

that's all for now,
JL

I have a burning sensation in my right foot. It's been there since I was diagnosed with MS 9.5 years ago (it was one of the symptoms, combined with my optic neuritis that led to my diagnosis). Some days it's worse than others and when I'm physically stressed out, the burning sensation can spread to other parts of my leg. Right now, as I type, I would describe it as having my foot tightly wrapped in hot, coarse sandpaper. During the day I find it easier to ignore though it's worse when I'm wearing shoes. However, it does tend to keep me awake and falling asleep can be difficult unless I'm exhausted. Clinically, this is a presentation of a neuropathy. I view it as different from MS fatigue. For me, the MS fatigue is when I try to do something, like trim the ivy hedge, and get so tired that I can barely stand and need to sit down and rest for 30-40 minutes before I can do anything else. That's just my 2¢ on it for the day.

NHE