Do's and don'ts: 

• Get plenty of rest. Extreme tiredness is a common symptom of MS.

• Plan your activities in advance.

• Stay out of excessive heat.

• Use a cane or other aid to help you get around and save your energy, if needed.

• Try stretching. It can be useful to help ease stiff muscles.  

• Get exercise. Aerobic exercise may help your strength, muscle tone, balance, and coordination. A physical therapist can help you learn which exercises are safe for you.  

• Try swimming. It may be a good exercise in which your temperature doesn't go up. But don't swim alone.  

More do's and don'ts: 

• Take your medicine exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Don’t skip doses.

• Use hot tubs or long hot baths with caution. If you soak too long in hot water, your muscles may become weak. Don’t get in a hot tub unless there’s someone nearby who can pull you out if needed.

• If you get too hot and your symptoms get worse, cool down for a few hours. This will help you return to normal.

• Put an air-conditioning system in your home if you don’t already have one.

• Eat a well-balanced diet. Talk to your healthcare provider about taking vitamins.

• Prevent constipation. To do this:

  • Eat a diet high in fiber.

  • Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water every day, unless directed otherwise.

  • Use an over-the-counter laxative as directed by your healthcare provider.

• Let your healthcare provider know:

  • About any pain you are having

  • About any sexual issues you are having

  • If you laugh or cry with no reason (such as cry when you are really happy)

  • If you feel sad or depressed

  • If you lose control of your urine (incontinence)

Make a follow-up appointment with your healthcare provider, or as advised.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following:

• Extreme tiredness or increasing weakness

• Confusion or unusual behavior

• New nervous system symptoms, such as weakness or numbness in the face, arms, or legs

• Double vision or loss of vision

• Trouble urinating or change in the color or odor of your urine

• Fever over  100.4°F ( 38°C)