Friday 13 September 2024 at 10am
Fatigue is one of the most common but invisible symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), affecting around three out of four people with MS at some point in their lives. The symptom can deeply impact all aspects of life, disrupting both physical and mental well-being and making it challenging to carry out everyday tasks.
In this session, we will be joined by Shaun Barton from MS-UK’s Helpline team, who will review our newly updated Fatigue Choices booklet, and Nicola Trew, a neurological Occupational Therapist (OT) specialising in fatigue management for people living with MS.
Shaun will start by guiding us through the booklet, covering what fatigue is, its causes, available treatments, and strategies for self-management. Following this, Nicola will discuss various management techniques she uses with her patients, with a particular focus on the FACETS program (Fatigue: Applying Cognitive Behavioural and Energy Effectiveness Techniques to LifeStyle).
FACETS is a widely used program by MS nurses and occupational therapists through the NHS, which aims to reduce fatigue and improve daily functioning. Developed by experts at Bournemouth University, FACETS teaches people with MS how to manage fatigue through a combination of education, cognitive-behavioural techniques, and practical strategies. Participants learn to identify fatigue triggers, challenge unhelpful thoughts, and adopt energy conservation methods such as prioritization and pacing.
The program emphasises setting realistic goals and integrating these strategies into everyday life, creating a supportive environment that empowers individuals to better manage their fatigue and enhance their quality of life.
At the end, Nicola will share how you can incorporate the elements of the course into your own fatigue management plan, plus other practical tips and advice she employs with her patients for managing fatigue, followed by an open question and answer session for your specific questions.
To join this session, please login or register in our Portal area. The session is free to join if you have a monthly or year subscription. You do not need a subscription to join, as you can register and provide a donation for the class. The suggested amount for the class is £5. If you unable to make a donation, please contact us to see how you can access the online classes.
A recording will be made available after the class and can be viewed if you have purchased a ticket either before or after the class has taken place.
If you would like to know more or you are having trouble registering, please contact us at register@ms-uk.org.
