All you with chronic conditions/ME/post viral fatigue/chronic fatigue, how do you manage at work?

[scrooged]

I've been on placement since Jan and it's not been as easy as I would have hoped because of the post viral fatigue I have. I do feel drained some days, I'm very forgetful and I have a problem remembering the names of simple bones etc (I know what they are, I'm struggling with their names). I'm a student radiographer, I have made sure no patients have been put at risk and have asked for supervision when I've needed it but have been bitched about because I've done this or got markers for left and right upsidedown or have forgoten what they have said. I don't think the Uni have told the placement about the ME I have and have been reluctant to tell them incase they take the opinion that I shouldn't be there. I'm good with the patients and know my limitations, I will ask if I'm unsure/can't remember but some of the staff have been really bad towards me because of this. I don't know what else to do and am worried about my exams, I know what I'm doing but can't remember the names of things IYKWIM. I can't see the point of finishing it at the moment and I don't know where to go from here

bump

Oh poor you. I'm not sure if I can offer any advice really. I suffered from post viral fatigue to a greater or lesser degree for several years, but it didn't affect me in the way you describe. I was just exhausted every day and almost falling asleep at my desk. No doubt if I'd needed to rely on my memory then I'd have had problems. Some days it was too much and I needed a day off, and I was signed off for three extended periods during those years.

I think the placement needs to know about your condition. Can you defer your exams?

I told one of the people I work with but I don't want them to think that I shouldn't be on the course. I don't consider myself to be unsafe, I do ask if I can't remember, I do ask them to supervise if I think I might do something wrong so my patients are safe, their attitude is crap though. I can't defer the exams as it's a constant problem. I know the names of the bones etc but I just can't find the word so I look stupid. If I get too tired I'll phone in sick, I normally tell them I have a dodgy tummy . My course is more practical, I know what I'm doing but if someone asks me to name something I just can't find the answer. Names are a problem aswell. I'm not sure what to do.

Thankyou for answering

My thinking was that if you're contemplating giving up altogether, could you not defer the whole thing for a year? You may feel a lot better in a year's time (of course you may not, that's the problem with PVS). I think you need to discuss this with your university tutor.

I don't want to, this is the best I've been in nearly 3 years. I'll be in the same situation if I defer.
I'll go and see them on Monday. She thinks I'm doing too much as I have a MSc to finish aswell which really pissed her off as I didn't tell her. It's really hard working though isn't it. How do you make them understand that you can't help it?

OK, so clearly you can see the point in finishing then . I'm confused, are you doing two courses at the same time? That's enough to run anyone into the ground.

For part of the time I was ill, I was doing a law diploma by distance learning alongside a full time job. I went through a similar dilemma to you and I considered deferring my exams, which is why I mentioned it. But in the end I stuck it out and did pretty well, and I was so glad I did (not that it did me any good career wise as I changed my mind ).

It's hard to make people understand if they don't want to. I had two bosses during the time I was ill. One was pretty understanding, helped by the fact she had similar problems herself. The other one was a complete cow about it and made me feel really bad. All you can do is show the utmost diligence when you're there, so that it's clear to anyone with a brain that you're not just being soft. It means really going the extra mile when you do feel up to it, but being careful not to make yourself worse in the process. It's a difficult balancing act.

The MSc is just coursework. I started it before the current course, I just have to finish it off. The PVF was alot worse when I started it so it's taken ages. I'm just doing it bit by bit.

Well done you for doing it. You must be really proud.

I think the Uni messed up not telling them. I did tell a couple of people whilst I was there, one of them has ME aswell so he understood, I'm sure the other one will make the harsh ones feel like shit.

It sounds like you're hopefully on the mend. It will take time, but you will get there gradually. It's nearly 9 years since I was struck down with PVS and I'd say it took a good 6 or 7 years to get completely back to normal. I feel pretty good now (touching wood madly) so there is light at the end of the tunnel, I promise. I hope it all works out for you.

Thanks. I found out today that I may have the symptoms for shingles but it's not shingles so I'm quite happy. The tingly face is doing my head in though but it will pass. No one warned me about this!

I get a tinlgy face, or arms or legs sometimes. I don't have mE, I ahve Fibromyalgia, but the symptoms and problems are similar

Feels like you've gone OTT with the deep heat spray/cold sore on the way?

memory problems and confusion affect me as well. You said you forget the names of things, well I'm not too bad with names but I can be talking to someone and just stop mid-chat because my mind goes completely blank and I forget what I was saying

What do you tell them?

Nothing really, most people don't "get" these kind of illnesses, because in many cases there is nothing visible

I don't want to look stupid IYKWIM. I'm not. I already have a degree (prior to the ME), I don't consider myself stupid because I can't remember what a clavicle's called. If I want to work there after finishing then I need to sort this out, they won't give me a job if I keep coming across the way I am.

I'm off to bed, had 4 hours sleep last night!

Sorry wasn't being rude, will take this up again tomorrow with you if that's ok, really need sleep, don't get much because of pain etc!

Oh dear.

Night. Sleep well.

course it's OK.

Night.