Kindergarten Teacher and getting very tired!

[patzi]

Hello Everyone!  Haven't been here for awhile and hope everyone is doing ok today!
I was just curious if there are any Teachers of little ones out there?  I was diagnosed back in January with Sjogrens and find myself missing quite a bit of work and am extremely tired all the time.

On weekends I pretty much eat and sleep.  I have cut my hours back to about 5 a day but know that next year I just don't think I will be able to teach anymore.  I started Plaquenil again (scared the first time around) and have been on it only for two days.  This time I am starting at a lower dose for a few weeks (200mg).

Just wanted to know if It would be a good idea to start thinking about changing careers.  I've been teaching kindergarten for 16 years and really don't know what else to do.  I work at a private school and never really finished my BA.  I only have my Montessori credential and some college.  Any thoughts or ideas on what I could do would be ever so appreciated!
Patzi

[Jen]

Hi, I am in the same boat.....I teach special ed. (Early intervention) so I mostly work with children under 4 years old.  I am so tired and I just cut down my hours a little to finish the year.  I plan on working part time in Sept., I have 5 children of my own 5,6,9,11 and 12yrs old and I feel I am not functioning for them at all!!!!  I am newly dx (Feb) and I am trying to come to terms with lifestyle changes, but it is hard.

[beachcomber]

Jen and Patzi,
I am a teacher too, but I teach high school Culinary Arts.  I was diagnosed about 4 years ago and continue to teach.  I have had to make some changes in the way I live my life but have refused to give up the career I love.

My first suggestion is to be sure to give the Plaquenil time to work.  It has a really good track record with SS, but may take several months (my rheumy said up to to show full effects.  It is well tolerated by most people, but some need to start at a small dose and build up to full dose.  I find that most of the time---- even if I have side effects from new meds they usually subside in a few days so I try to tough it out for a while (if they aren't dangerous side effects).

Also, I found it helpful to take a look at my life and identify ways I can modify my activities and routine to cut myself some slack.  In my case, I changed teaching jobs so I no longer had to commute 100 miles a day, bought a house with a smaller lot and less yard work, found that I still need help with maintaining my yard during the school year so hired a yard service (I am single).  I spend my week working all day and resting most  nights.  I usually stick close to home on the weekends, resting up to do it all again and doing things around home.  Sleep is really important so make sure that is happening for you.  My rheumy here prescribed meds to help manage my neuropathic pain and improve my sleep.  That is helping a lot.  I hope you can find some ways to scale back and take care of  yourself.  Even a 20 minute rest time after work--- maybe watching a movie or reading with your kids for some "quality time" --- will help.

Good luck! 
Beach

[harrigan]

Truly feel for you Patzi - there are no clear cut answers.  I teach English full time at High School and am single parent of 5 too.  No chance of cutting back at the moment, too many commitments!  I started Plaquenil after being diagnosed last month.

Beach had some excellent suggestions - I too live a 6mins drive from work.  My parents are in their 80s and live near school and 2 of my children are at school with me.  Life works for me by consolidating as much as possible.   Internet shopping, early nights and slow cooker (croc -pot) meals help a lot.

If you feel you have done as much of this as you can and still need a change of career, try to find time to think about what are the hardest parts of your work now? When my children were pre-school I worked as a childminder and it fitted really well with my circumstances.  I could go at my own pace, no traveling etc.  We've had job vacancies for pastoral workers and cover supervisors and I've thought how appealing they sound because for me it's the marking and planning that are so hard.  Don't underestimate yourself - with your experience you have proof of multi-tasking, patience, creativity, team work, family work ... all things which set you apart in a job market.

Good luck - I can imagine how exhausting teaching little ones is.  Let us know how you get on xx Ailsa

[patzi]

Thank you guys for all the awesome and very helpful information!  It sure helps to know that I am not alone!  I appreciate your response and will let you know how I fair.  You take care
Sincerely, Patzi

[ChmpgnLove]

I teach severe special needs students at the local high school.  It has been really tough.  I was diagnosed with Sjogren's a year ago in January.  We tried Plaquenil, but I had a severe allergic reaction to it.  I have lots of problems with joint pain and fatigue. So far my district has been pretty good with me needing time off, but I've had a few co-workers threaten to do what they can to get rid of me because of my absences.  I went to my HR director, and things have settled down some. My hardest part is getting my paperwork done.  I have to use a voice activated program, because I have neuropathy in my hands.  It takes longer to use, and most of the time, my classroom is not quiet.  I usually end up having to go in on the weekend to get my work done.  That stinks, because that is when I should be resting.  I don't know how long I can keep doing this job, but I need it for financial reasons.