Anyone else writing a thesis while fighting endo fatigue?

[gracechang]

This spring, I'm writing my master's thesis, which dips into artistic research and requires some physical activity (building, filming, etc). While I'm really grateful for this opportunity, I'm aggravated by my own body and slow progress.

I'm not far behind everyone else, but it's frustrating to know that if I didn't have endometriosis, I'd be moving much faster than I am now.

It's like my brain fogs up, sometimes without the pain, and I just read the same page over and over. In my clearer moments, I'm off like a shot, but those periods are unpredictable. It's a bitter feeling.

Beyond notifying your supervisor, how do you deal with this?

Feel free to reach out even if you don't have advice! Sometimes, it's just nice to know (with proof) that I'm not alone in this.

[Hazel173]

Hey, im in the same sort of situation. Feel so overwhelmed with everything ive got to do, 2 x 7000 word essays, big exam and 37.5 hours placement every week. I feel unable to study when im in pain too as the painkillers kind of make my brain foggy too. I did speak to my uni about it and they were able to move me to a placement area with less travelling time and allow me to do the assessments that were due roughly the same time as I had surgery. I would definitely speak to uni as the can help and reasure you. Also might be worth talking to your doctor as mine has wrote a few letters to my uni confirming that I was in alot of pain and needing surgery due to endo. Message me anytime if you want to talk. Best of luck!

[gracechang in reply to Hazel173]

Sad to hear you're in the same boat, though I'm glad you reached out! I'll look into the doctor's notes, for sure. Mostly, I'm hoping that I won't need an extended deadline. (Wishful thinking?) And feel free to message me, too! This is some tough shit, and it's nice to be able to share stuff with people who really understand it.

[gracechang]

Haha, I was actually going to thank you for your detailed reply! As it happens, I love long answers. (I mean, who doesn't love detailed help?) Your advice about working in short bursts really resonated with me. I'll give it a try tomorrow! Quick question about the short walks/fresh air: do you do that even if you're in pain? Or do you have a "pain day" contingency plan for getting fresh air?

[milly89]

I completed a degree (and a dissertation) whilst battling with ever worsening symptoms of endo. I had placement mentors who I shared information with, I was really lucky and didn’t have to miss any time with sickness, though looking back I’ve no idea how. I would try any combination of medication just to get me through a day.

With my uni work, I tended to try and place focus on what I would call my ‘3 good weeks’ (at that point things were regular enough to know when the crap was coming) and then I would just write the other week off and down tools. There was no point in battling the fatigue and pain and there was nothing productive achieved.

I’d say, don’t bother with trying on the crap days, if you read anything make clear notes, I sometimes even copied the bits out word for word with references/ page numbers and write up that chunk when I was in a more coherent frame of mind.

You are most definitely not alone, and that Masters will be yours! And it will be all the more deserved for achieving it with this crappy disease!

X

[me08]

I should round up my MBA Executive this year (it's a 2-year course) and I can tell you it has been a struggle. Full time work and part time schooling has made me want to pull my hair out. Inbetween I have had surgery, taken zoladex injections (this truly has made the pain vanish) only I feel tired ALL the time.

I thought about getting an ECF when I had my last surgery but changed my mind. I am now aiming to complete a consultancy project amidst other unit deadlines (total 12000 words) and still start 2nd IVF process!

I just do what I can, when I can and so far all deadlines have been met. I wish you all the best x

[DaniahAQ]

You ladies are extremely lucky to have such supportive universities. Mine has been the complete opposite.

I have completed an undergraduate and postgraduate degree in law and am now in law school. They have been anything but supportive. In fact quite insensitive.

It is too long to type out here and it gives me anxiety just thinking about it. Tomorrow is another day though.