Fatigue in Japanese people with multiple sclerosis

The aim of this study was to obtain descriptions of the experiences of fatigue of people with multiple sclerosis, including experiences related to their interpersonal relations and social life. We used a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive design and conducted semistructured interviews with nine participants. Seven concepts emerged from the data analysis: "fatigue as an individualized and novel sensation", "self-analysis of the factors that are associated with fatigue", "effects of fatigue on living and the self", "unique measures for handling fatigue", "insufficient coping", "living with fatigue", and "the assumption of a lack of common understanding of fatigue." Based on these findings, fatigue was found to affect the lifestyle of people with MS and their ability to be true to themself. As a result, the participants devised their own way of coping with fatigue. However, the coping measures also created other dilemmas, which led to isolation. Nevertheless, the participants made efforts to live with fatigue on their own terms.