MS: The Energy Loan Shark

Living with Multiple Sclerosis means dealing with fatigue that doesn't play fair. It's not just being tired—it's an aggressive, predatory system that if you don't pace yourself and manage your energy, you'll pay for it the next day or days in some cases. Think of MS fatigue like a loan shark.

The Deal with the Devil

Imagine trying to water your garden, but the hose is full of holes. You turn on the faucet, and instead of a steady, efficient stream, water sprays out in all directions. You have to turn the water pressure way up just to get enough to reach the plants.

That's your body with MS.

A healthy nervous system moves energy smoothly, efficiently. But MS damages the wiring, creating leaks everywhere. Walking, thinking, even holding a conversation takes way more effort because your body is constantly compensating.

By the end of the day, you've burned through way more energy than you should have just trying to get things done. And if you push too hard? Congratulations, you've just signed up for the "Enjoy Being Useless Tomorrow" subscription box—no refunds, no cancellations, and it ships overnight.

Why Everything Costs So Much More Energy

You wake up feeling halfway decent (or at least not like you got steamrolled in your sleep), and the day stretches ahead, full of possibilities. You decide to get things done. Maybe a little housework, maybe an errand or two, maybe even—dare I say—a social event? It feels manageable. You've got energy, so why not use it?

Here's where the loan shark comes in. Your body isn't borrowing energy—it's burning through everything it has right now, no matter the cost. You can push through and get things done, but there's a price. And like a loan shark, MS doesn't tell you the full cost upfront. You'll find out tomorrow—when your body comes to collect, and the interest is often brutal.

The Collection Day from Hell

The next morning, you wake up to the muscle aches, the exhaustion, the brain fog so thick you can barely form a sentence. It's like you got body-checked by a truck overnight, and now MS is standing at your door with a baseball bat, demanding repayment.

And the worst part? There's no negotiating. No pleading for a grace period. No working out a payment plan. MS doesn't care. You spent energy you didn't have, and now you're paying it back with interest.

Strategies for Avoiding the Energy Mafia

So how do you keep from getting caught in this endless cycle? There's no magic fix, but there are some ways to outsmart the system:

Energy Budgeting – Instead of using everything at once, spread it out. Small tasks, breaks in between, and never assume you're getting away with overdoing it.
Prioritization – Ask yourself: Does this actually need to be done today? If the answer is no, it can wait.
The Art of Saying No (The Hard Pass) – People without MS don't always get it, but you don't owe anyone an explanation. If your body says no, listen.
Rest Before You Crash – Waiting until you're already exhausted is like waiting until your car runs out of gas before stopping at a station. Rest before you're running on fumes.

You Can't Win, But You Can Play Smarter

MS fatigue isn't a fair fight, and you'll probably still get shaken down by the energy loan shark now and then. But if you know the game, you can play it on your terms. You get to decide where your energy goes, how much interest you're willing to pay, and when to tell MS to go pound sand.

Because at the end of the day, your energy is yours—even if MS tries to convince you otherwise.