Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Studying with AS

I know a few of us on here are studying for various exams/degrees, but I'm interested in your experiences of studying while you have AS.

Personally for me I find it difficult, sometimes I just cant seem to get in a comfortable enough position to enable me to study for any period of time (how ive done it up till now I dont know!). I find half sitting/lying on my bed to be the most desireable, I have a portable writing slope that sits on my legs and i shove my books on that. It can get difficult when im reading & writing and using the calculator all at the same time, after a days work and then when your kinda hurting later on at nite, little twists of the body can be quite painful and all add up to annoying your study time!

Plus the fatigue often kicks in and what should have been a 2 hour study session turned into a 2 hour half sleep session!!

Anyway, let me know of your experiences and what your studying for!

Daz

Hey Daz,

I was studying computer hardware/electronic engineering during 1985 in San Jose, Ca. I lived in Salinas, Ca so each morning was a 52 mile drive, then 6 hours of classroom work, 52 miles back home and like you 2 hours of homework. I made myself a 24" x 36" table top. The chair I sat in was like a firm matress with high arms on it. I would place the table top on the arms then apply my books and notebook on top. Having the high arms on the chair gave me the option of moving around shifting positions without disturbing my homework usually working quite well.

Another option was a recliner leaning back about a quarter of the way, using the same technique. I would shift my body as needed but remain in the reclined position. If I needed to get up to stretch I could just slide the top on the table next to me until I feel a little better then sit back down.

I found the edge of the bed was very useful bending my waist over the edge of the bed and lean on my elbows as I read off the board. By letting my legs hang off the side of the bed it seemed to take the pain and pressure off my lumbar area letting me relax enough to concentrate. I would use my hand to take notes or answer the questions in the homework assignment.

All three of these worked great for me and if one position did not feel right I had two other positions to try.

Hope this helps,
Brent

I take a hot shower and a little nap. When I wake up I get loose, put a pillow under my butt, soft music and a cat on my lap. Works fine untill you doze off, startle yourself causing the cat to dig his claws into you while jumping. Then I'm ready to go again. It's good for 11/2 hours. Arthur

I usually study first thing in the morning after my shower. I take frequent breaks to allow myself to stretch and get out of the position that i'm sitting in. I find studying on the couch without the T.V. on is the best spot. When i'm tired i quit for a bit and have a nap. i know when i need to sleep, and although it's a pain, i let myself sleep when i'm tired.

Sam

Hi i also finding it difficult to study. I'm doin an Accountancy Technician course, i go to college 1 day a week. At home its a bit easier to pace yourself (and i have a decent chair) At college it becomes a hard slog, with seats so uncomfortable i go numb, and only 1 ten min break i get so tired. Its hard to find a comfortable position for long. It takes me a lot longer to do my study.
My hot water bottle helps me, i sit with it supportin the most painful part of my back at that time.
I am pleased this question has been asked i would be interested in others views on this.

Heather

Hi
When I was studying for my MAster'd Degree it was tough. Near the end when I was preparing for my defence I had to work 10-12 hours a day on my papers etc. I almost killed me. I studied after a hot shower in the morning, usually in a recliner, books on my lap, or laptop computer on my lap. Then I would have two more showers during the 12 hours to loosen up. I also stretched every two hours. IT wasn't always that bad but right near the end of my MAster's it was nuts. I studied all day, slept and got up and did the same thing every day for about 8 weeks. Don't know how I survived. Honestly, I put up with the agony as I knew the end of the tunnel wwas near!! Good luck with your studies
-also used heating pads and magic heating bags
-always elevated legs in recliner or on couch, never sat in a regular chair
-lots of breaks-try to walk for 20 minutes in middle of the day or after 2-3 hours of work


Rene a.k.a Julie

Wow , sounds like you had to put in an awful lot of hard work, did it all work out for you in the end?

Thanks for the tips!

I use a tens machine now which I often have switched on whilst studying. It certainly helps by making me think about the electrical pulses rather than the pain!

Daz

Hi Heather

I studied for AAT couple of years back and went to college 1 day a week - totally agree about the chairs, they were soooooooo uncomfortable! It was even worse on exam days (still is) when not only are you tensed up anyway, your flaring because your stressed and your given this tiny little desk with a tiny little chair and your hurting!!!

Hope the course works out for you!

Daz

That's my biggest demon, trying to stay awake! The text in the book is hard enough to stay awake to anyway, never mind adding a few painkillers and fatigue into the mix!

Good luck with the studying!

Daz

Lol, I guess you have a lot of cat scratches to show for your studies huh??! Good luck with your studies!

Daz