Teaching with endometriosis

[elles3]

Hi everyone, I was wondering if there are any teachers out there who have endo, and how you cope with the pain while at school? I'm having to take time off every month these days (after struggling in crying and being sent home) and the guilt is making me so anxious and down. The stress is really starting to take its toll and even gave me an awful migraine last week. Part of me feels like I'm going to have to quit my job because I can't give it what I used to. I love my job and the people I work with, and I hate letting everyone down all the time.

A bit if background- I have stage 4, used to be on the pill to control it but TTC now, so no hormones for me! Just getting through with heat and codiene... Which is also a pain at work because of the head fuzz and need to sleep constantly! Any advice would be amazing ❤️

[ZiggyandBC]

Hey, I’m not a teacher but I was working full time as a support worker and was having to have time off every month which was affecting my work life and made me feel so incredibly guilty! I ended up lowering my hours to 3 and a half days which helps a little but I still get days where the pain is too much! It’s hard to not feel guilty about it xxx

[lem00003]

Hey!

I’m an early career lecturer with quite a bit of teaching on my schedule. Prior to this I had a teaching only load job with roughly 20 hours of teaching a week.

I feel your pain. What I find difficult is that as the endo progresses it becomes very hard for me to stand up for long periods: be it at the board or crouched over desks with students (pre Covid).

If possible, can you sit more or perhaps do more old-fashioned story-time activities with your students (not sure of their age) but perhaps try and take the pressure off yourself more by doing more project learning and give some of the class management to a responsible student. For example, doing the group set up, gathering up questions that you answer at the end etc etc

I would say to have a think about how much of your teaching is teacher-centred in the day and look at gaps where you can alter activities and spend less time being active if that makes sense.

Of course, what I’m saying will be hard if your students are very young but hope this helps somewhat!

I have found online teaching to be very good for me personally but probably less engaging for my students!

[Arty09]

Hey, sorry I know this is a late response but wanted to get in touch as I am a teacher and have been struggling with this too so I know how you feel! I was only diagnosed last year (I’m 38) so before that I just couldn’t understand why I was so wrecked after a day at work, in pain and unable to do anything after school etc. So in that regard a diagnosis has been helpful. I have endo and adenomyosis, I had excision surgery in October 2020 but unfortunately still have issues due to adenomyosis. Teaching is very demanding, and people around us who don’t teach don’t fully understand! Standing all day, continually walking around a classroom etc, then standing outside for playground duty etc. can be very problematic when dealing with pelvic pain. A few things that have helped me manage: I had to tell my managers exactly what I was going through. This was very hard and emotional as I am a ‘just get on with it’ type but it was a great relief. My male mangers were keen to understand and support me.

I got a new desk chair with a soft seat and on wheels, on a really bad day I can scoot from pupil to pupil. There are stools in class that I can take to sit on while helping pupils at their desks as well, rather than standing and leaning. I use the lift when I need to etc.

Stick on heat pads have been a god send as has trying to get on top of pain management, taking painkillers before it gets too bad etc.

Confiding in a couple of colleagues I work most closely with (I’m in SEN so have classroom assistants). If I’m having a really bad day I will let them know as it’s hard to always put a smile on your face and perform in front of a class.

Also another thing that I found difficult but been forced to do is learning to say no, in schools we are always asked to do extra things here and there, maybe covering a colleague or extra break duty etc. I would push myself too much then get home and unable to move and I’m really trying to pace myself these days.

Find yourself a good pelvic physio; due to pain we often have such tight muscles, knots etc. Mine has been an amazing help and offered tips to help me after standing all day.

Don’t feel guilty about resting, having a lazy weekend etc. You’re dealing with a lot and deserve to rest. Keeping feet up and pressure off the pelvis is important.

Totally understand how you feel as I barely made it through this year! In an ideal world I think 3/4 days a week would be more than enough for me but it’s not possible financially at the moment but maybe someday and hopefully that will be the same for you ☺️ Sorry for the essay but I hope this helps a little! Take care xx

[elles3 in reply to Arty09]

Thank you so much for this reply! Sorry I didn't reply sooner. It really helps to hear from someone in a similar situation to me. It's such a tough job, and I completely am with you on the exhaustion. Only back 2 weeks and I am shaking with exhaustion! If only part time/flexible/work from home was a thing. Hope you are doing ok this term! Xx