Fatigue is a common and frustrating symptom of Parkinson’s. While it can be difficult to treat, there are many steps you can take to limit its impact.
What is fatigue?
Fatigue in Parkinson’s is more than everyday tiredness. People often describe it as feeling drained, running out of energy quickly or needing more effort to do ordinary things.
It’s also different from other symptoms that can look similar:
Fatigue: feeling low energy or worn out
Sleepiness: feeling like you could fall asleep
Apathy: not feeling motivated or interested
Why does fatigue happen?
Fatigue can be a symptom of Parkinson’s itself, but it can also be caused or worsened by other symptoms, including insomnia and other sleep disturbances, depression, anxiety, apathy, pain, low blood pressure, or even slowness and stiffness that make movement more physically demanding.
That’s why one of the first questions to ask is, “what might be contributing?” Treating these symptoms is often the first and most important step.
What helps fatigue in Parkinson's?
There are many steps you can take in everyday life to limit fatigue.
Keep Moving, But Pace It
It sounds counterintuitive but exercise may help. The challenge is that physical activity can leave people feeling temporarily more tired — especially if they overdo it, exercise at the wrong time of day, or push through when they’re already depleted. The goal is to find the right balance: enough activity to build energy and stamina, but not so much that you crash later.
Start smaller than you think. A short walk, brief bike ride or 10 minutes of moving can be enough to begin.
Exercise during your best time of day. For many people, that is when medication is working well and energy is most steady.
Build up slowly. Increase time and intensity little by little, not all at once.
Stop before you’re wiped out. Try to finish feeling pleasantly worked, not flattened.
Watch the rest of the day. If a session leaves you exhausted for hours or into the next day, it was probably too much.
Aim for consistency over intensity. Smaller amounts done regularly are often better than a hard workout followed by a crash.
Modify on low-energy days. Gentle stretching, a short walk or even standing regularly through the day can help maintain the habit and support overall health.
Use Your Energy Wisely
We all have a finite amount of energy to carry us through each day. Because of this, you’ll want to spend that energy wisely.
Be intentional with your “on” time. Do the most important tasks when your energy levels are at their highest.
Pace yourself. Take breaks before you are exhausted, not after.
Cut hidden energy drains. Certain activities or even people may exhaust you. Say no where needed.
Do one thing at a time. Multitasking makes your brain work harder.
Make tasks easier. Sit when you can, break jobs into steps, keep things within reach.
Build in recovery time. Do not stack demanding activities back-to-back.
Use support. Let family, friends, tools or services help when possible.
Track patterns. A simple log of sleep, medication timing and fatigue can reveal useful clues.
Protect what matters most. Spend your best energy on the people and activities most important to you.
An occupational therapist can help with energy-saving strategies and tools for daily life. A physical therapist can help with exercises and techniques that make activity more manageable.
Consider Medication Options
There is no single medication that has been clearly or consistently proven to treat fatigue in Parkinson’s, making it an area of unmet need and active research.
Researchers have studied several medications — including rasagiline, modafinil, methylphenidate, amantadine and caffeine — but overall the evidence is limited. Some treatments may help certain people, especially when sleepiness is also part of the picture. But no one option works for everyone. Talk with your doctor about whether any of these options may be right for you.
The medical information contained in this publication is for general information purposes only. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research has a policy of refraining from advocating, endorsing or promoting any drug therapy, course of treatment, or specific company or institution. It is crucial that care and treatment decisions related to Parkinson’s disease and any other medical condition be made in consultation with a physician or other qualified medical professional.
