CFS/Fibromyalgia/Autoimmune Diseases and education

[staceydiane]

I hit the genetic lottery (ugh) and have all three (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome).

Is there anyone here in any of these categories and has it affected your education/career in any way?

Stacey

[Kal Di]

I hit the genetic lottery (ugh) and have all three (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome).

Is there anyone here in any of these categories and has it affected your education/career in any way?

Stacey

I have an autoimmune disease, but I don't have any of those autoimmune diseases. It affected my career, but it didn't stop me from working. Some times were harder than others, but I still succeeded. It was worth the effort! Now, I further my education as a personal goal rather than a professional goal.

[LevelUP]

MrBeast suffers from Crohn's disease which is an autoimmune disease that causes extreme tiredness. He still is able to work despite this. 

You have to play the hand you are dealt.

[staceydiane]

I got diagnosed with fibro first, back in 2013, though I haven't felt well for about 40 years.  I got diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and EDS this year.  I'm glad that I got those other diagnoses, because things made more sense.  I take meds for the fibro and it has made a small difference, which is pretty awesome.

I agree about education being more of a personal goal.  That's what it is to me.  I did realize that I may have to adapt my career goals because of my health issues, but I'm for sure not giving up!

[SweetSecret]

I have numerous issues that cause me chronic pain, and unfortunately I am also very type-A personality, so it can be a bit maddening. I was not always this bad, but the pain got really bad just before I joined DF and continued to get worse a few years in. It slows me down significantly. It now takes me 3-4x longer to get anything done. I have had to learn to pace myself. The biggest challenge for me is oftentimes that I don't look different from other people, so people often forget how I feel inside and constantly expect things that are a bit much for me. It has caused me to become much better at setting boundaries, because I need to take care of myself before I take care of anybody else.

If you have not seen it before, I highly suggest you look into The Spoon Theory. I do sometimes refer to myself as a "spoonie", because sometimes it's easier for me to just tell people around me that I am low on spoons/energy that day... or that I have simply run out.

In terms of studying I just know it's going to take me longer than it takes most other people, so I plan for that. I also try to eat really well to decrease chances of flare-ups that might distract me.

This is all definitely affected me on work. I used to be able to work many days in a row, sometimes up to 14 hours at a time, but now I'm lucky if I could get 6 days in a month. With that said it's really important to maximize my earnings during the days I can work.

[carrythenothing]

I agree that the The Spoon Theory is a great one: https://butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/...on-theory/

[staceydiane]

I have numerous issues that cause me chronic pain, and unfortunately I am also very type-A personality, so it can be a bit maddening. I was not always this bad, but the pain got really bad just before I joined DF and continued to get worse a few years in. It slows me down significantly. It now takes me 3-4x longer to get anything done. I have had to learn to pace myself. The biggest challenge for me is oftentimes that I don't look different from other people, so people often forget how I feel inside and constantly expect things that are a bit much for me. It has caused me to become much better at setting boundaries, because I need to take care of myself before I take care of anybody else.

If you have not seen it before, I highly suggest you look into The Spoon Theory. I do sometimes refer to myself as a "spoonie", because sometimes it's easier for me to just tell people around me that I am low on spoons/energy that day... or that I have simply run out.

In terms of studying I just know it's going to take me longer than it takes most other people, so I plan for that. I also try to eat really well to decrease chances of flare-ups that might distract me.

This is all definitely affected me on work. I used to be able to work many days in a row, sometimes up to 14 hours at a time, but now I'm lucky if I could get 6 days in a month. With that said it's really important to maximize my earnings during the days I can work.

The Spoon Theory definitely makes it easier to explain things to non-spoonies.  I found about it a few years ago from a former partner.  The cool thing is that most of my friends are spoonies, so I have a built-in support system.

I've also learned to pace myself.  I'm not always great at it, but I have definitely improved.  I have been seeing a therapist who helped me learn to set boundaries with people, too.  Having boundaries makes me feel good about myself.

I also have ADHD and my anxiety meds are really helping with that, so I am finding it so much easier to study than when I was younger...even if I am at home in bed (which has been the last two weeks, since I've been in a flare, ugh).  It doesn't take as much energy for me to study as it does to do other things, so I've been really focused on that.

[dfrecore]

I would say that in your case, while you may slow down, you should not give up. I'd probably not do anything that was based on time - so nothing with monthly memberships, nothing with competency-based like UMPI or WGU.

I would look at EC's BLS degree, and just plan well and then knock out courses as you can. I'd do ModernStates/CLEP for a lot, and Coopersmith for the rest. If you must do SDC, then I would get the cheapest plan and do all of your quizzes for several courses first, and then bump up to the $199 plan and take 5 final exams each time you are feeling great that month. I would also write all of the papers ahead of time, and submit them during the $199 month when you're ready to take the final. You don't want to waste time/money during a bad time medically, so that's when you need to write/test.

Good luck!

[staceydiane]

I would say that in your case, while you may slow down, you should not give up.  I'd probably not do anything that was based on time - so nothing with monthly memberships, nothing with competency-based like UMPI or WGU.

I would look at EC's BLS degree, and just plan well and then knock out courses as you can.  I'd do ModernStates/CLEP for a lot, and Coopersmith for the rest.  If you must do SDC, then I would get the cheapest plan and do all of your quizzes for several courses first, and then bump up to the $199 plan and take 5 final exams each time you are feeling great that month.  I would also write all of the papers ahead of time, and submit them during the $199 month when you're ready to take the final.  You don't want to waste time/money during a bad time medically, so that's when you need to write/test.

Good luck!

I was thinking the same thing, which is why I decided to go with Excelsior.  I'm waiting on a couple of CLEP vouchers from Modern States now.  I really like how I can stay in bed and study, because when I am sick, I hate being bored.  Studying takes my mind off of feeling crappy.

[dfrecore]

I was thinking the same thing, which is why I decided to go with Excelsior.  I'm waiting on a couple of CLEP vouchers from Modern States now.  I really like how I can stay in bed and study, because when I am sick, I hate being bored.  Studying takes my mind off of feeling crappy.

My kid gets up every morning and grabs her laptop which is on her nightstand, and does schoolwork in bed.