I was diagnosed with CFS 5 years ago during my first year at Uni shortly after I recovered from Glandular fever. I have been existing since then and recently found it extremely difficult to cope with it. I recently completed my PGCE which was the worst year of my life and have just started my first teaching post. I am finding it harder and harder to do what is required of me.
Any other teacher's out there, any advice?
Hi
I also have CFS which I developed after Glandular fever at College
The Drs said at the time I hadnt"caught " it off anyone but it was in my system and I had it really badly.
I carried onto Teaching though and always wondered why I was so tired all the time. I kept going down with Fatigue and "tonsillitus" type infecțion until I was diagnosed with CFS
I became unable to manage working after a really stressful period in which my body couldnt fight the infecțions any more.
Because it is a Neurological illness it is always worse when you are stressed or over tired or overworked.
My symptoms have worsened and I am on the verge. I feel completely dead and my Doctor is taking so long to offer any form of assistance.
Do you still teach? what did you do? I really am not sure that I can cope any longer.
David: I know this is hard to "hear," but your body is telling you to back off and rest. I didn't listen when I was going through a similar thing, and I'm paying the price of much worse symptoms and fatigue.
I have considered this but I am not sure how to approach the topic with my boss or anyone that I know. My family do not understand how I feel.
It is so difficult to advise someone else on CFS.
I gave up teaching but did teach for years but paid the price later.
Full time Primary School teacher.
I became unable to plan work as my brain went into a fog and I kept looking at planning and couldnt take it in!!
But it is so difficult as no one believes your symptoms except the ME Specialist
It was such a relief to see him as he understood!!
Are you seeing an ME/CFS specialist? If so, get the doctor to write a letter. You can also write a letter about your situation. That way, you can carefully consider what to say. The most effective letter would be a very dispassionate account of your symptoms. I found both letters enabled me to get social security disability and private insurance disability here in the U.S.
I know, I have tried many times to explain to others. They take my symptoms like slow starts in the morning and discomfort as being grumpy and rude.
I am an NQT in Year 3. I am finding the marking/planning difficult to complete and I become very fatigued around 2:30. I want to walk into work and resign. I wish my specialist would see me regularly but he is taking ages to get back to me.
After 3 years of knocking on every door possible I was sent to a an ME/CFS clinic in Hertfordshire, England. I have seen the specialist once in the past 2 months, he finally got back to me with blood results but I have not been given any further steps/appointments.
What are your symptoms?
Since so much is at stake, it might be worth your while to step out of the NHS, if you can afford it, and see a private specialist. Then get him/her to write a letter about your condition, that you can present to your boss.
Slow starts, aching joints, night sweats, cold sweats during the day, hot flushes, exhaustion, lack of concentration/ poor memory, falling asleep in the afternoon, sore throat, arm pits, stomach issues, headaches of different severities. Feeling emotional, teary, discomfort in the body.
I have looked into it, at this moment in time I just cant afford private medical.
Get in touch with the me association and ask for advice. But I think you are going to have to review your career choice. Teaching is very stressful . When you are fit and well you can usually cope. But when you aren't it makes you more unwell.
Your health is the priority. Maybe you need time to get well.
Difficult for you. But once you make a decision and sign up for it, a lot of the stress is gone.
Maybe just tell your boss straight that you are unable to cope due to post glandular fever exhaustion/fatigue and you need your boss's advice on what to do.????????
My daughter is a teacher and she could not do it if she had M.E. I suppose she could try but having to rest every afternoon and going to bed early just would not I don't think fit in with everything she has to do. She doesn't have a family so I expect that helps, she only has herself to think about.
Well at the moment I am going to bed at 10/11 and even later and getting up at 5. I am slowly falling further and further behind. I might have to resign.
Can you work part time for a year and then see how you are?
I think you really have to talk to your boss.
Hi David,
Sorry you are having such a hard time, I think being a newly qualifid teacher is quite stressful enough by itself without having to cope with chronic fatigue on top.
Are you a member of a teacher's union? they could advise you about your employment rights with this disability and help you plan how to approach your employer to get some "reasonable adjustments" to your work.
As others have said, your health is a priority, and you don't want to make things worse for the future.