Any teachers with PV out there?

[JHigelin]

Hi everyone I was diagnosed with PV 11 years ago and I'm currently working in Scotland as a teacher. I went down to 4 days a week 2.5 years ago as I was feeling more and more tired and the weekend was just not long enough for me to recharge my batteries especially as part of it was taken with marking and prep. I'm still finding it difficult to cope with the work even though my classes have not been to bad this year. I often read comments about people who say they just rest when they feel tired but I just can't do that during the day. I have negotiated a few things su h as not doing cover so that I don't have to run around the school to get to other classrooms. That makes things easier and also less stressful as cover classes can be really challenging when you do know the kids. I still find it tough to deal with energy levels going up and down with no much warning. I can also be very emotional at times usually around the time of my blood test results as I never know what they are going to show. I'm find it increasingly difficult to get to the end of term as normal fatigue accumulate on top of the illness. I've had a few incidents of collapsing at school this year with extreme fatigue. My consultant told me last time that for me 4 days a week was just the same as working full time. Maybe a hint that I should reduce my hours even more. Any top tips from fellow teachers would be welcome. I'm 54 so getting near retirement but cannot see myself lasting for many more years. Anyone who has tried to get early retirement on health grounds?

Thanks

[Bobthecob]

I am 62 years old and I have had ET for over 25 years. Your question resonated with me, I have worked in a school for over 30 years. I started full time and due to fatigue, exhaustion and ET symptoms I dropped my days to 3 then 2 and finally 1. I took my pension at age 60, I feel I have really struggled having the energy and school having an understanding of my disease. I have felt the financial repercussions of finishing early. I would be very interested in seeing how you get on taking early retirement on health grounds. Wishing you well.

[JHigelin in reply to Bobthecob]

Thanks Bob.Not only do I have to cope with the fatigue but I also have brain fog which could be related to HU. There are times when I struggle to focus and find my words a bit tricky for a language teacher!! I am thinking to try to go down to 3 days a week maybe next year and start proceedings for early retirement. I think I could access part of my pension at 57 but would have to take a hit. I have to wait a bit longer as we have been moving to a different pension and have had no statements for the past 2 years so can't really discuss the ins and out before I can access my most up-to-date data. The way I feel just now, I cannot see myself working until 60 or 67 to get my full pension!! But one more day to go before we break of for Easter here. Roll on the holidays.

[JHigelin in reply to JHigelin]

Forgot to say that my school has been mostly accommodating. No issues with hospital/ blood test appointments, no cover ( although that was brought in during covid, not sure they would have agreed to this otherwise). I also have a health plan in place. School nurse has been great and very supportive. Sometimes she's my go to speak to when I'm feeling down physically or mentally.

[Bobthecob in reply to JHigelin]

I can relate to the brain fog and dizziness. It is not an easy job especially when you have an MPN, it is so hard to explain to other people. I wish you well, and enjoy your well earned Easter break. Take care.

[mazeoffire in reply to JHigelin]

Enjoy the holidays and I hope you will be able to recouperate a little. We are finishing up Friday next week. At least my hormones have calmed down and with it the worst of the pain and fatigue. I’ll write a longer reply over the next few days. Take care x

[ETket]

Not a teacher, but I was a primary school TA for eleven years (for ten of which my ET was diagnosed). I enjoyed it, but decided it was time to do something new last summer. It also made me realise just how shattered I was at the end of each day (the school was supportive about appointments, shielding during Covid etc.). I was never tempted though to qualify as a teacher, because it looked even more exhausting than being a TA (where at least, on the whole, you are able to clock off outside school hours).

[ainslie]

tough teaching and MPN, if you can afford to I would be careful about wearing yourself out, some cope better with the MPN fatigue than others but it’s not to be underestimated, allegedly 90+% of us suffer from it.