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

Hi Daz.
I've been in school for the entire time I've had AS. At one point it was so bad, I had to drop out of my masters - no thanks to the evil advisor I had at that point. Now, a couple of years later I'm trying again, I'm probably much worse AS-wise, but my advisor and co-workers are incredibly supportive, so I think I'll make it through this one (MSc Medical Epidemiology/Community Health).
A comfy recliner and heating pad to keep the joints warm helps. And I never plan on studying for more than a half hour without a walk. Or like you said - propped up in bed works well too. I should give the tens a try perhaps.
Good luck with everything,
Megan

The table top sounded a great idea Brent. I thought about investing in a drawing board that architects use, they can be very versatile and would be ideal for lumping all my bits n pieces on, but as ive only got a few months left (results permitting!) I will probably leave it. Wish I had the diy know how to do it myself though, but my diy leaves a lot to be desired! (Just ask all the garden birds that have used my bird boxes over the years, first time I'd seen chaffinches protest to the RSPB about living condtions!)

Glad everything worked for you Brent.

Daz

Your masters sounds a bit of a mouthful! I really hope you get through it this time Megan, its not hard studying for a masters when your well, let alone carrying AS around with you as well. It will help now that you have the support of the advisor behind you.

You should definetly try a tens machine to see if it works for you - Im fairly sure you can rent them nowadays at most places just to give them a go, if they dont work for you then u can return them.

Good luck with the masters!

I'm studying for a Masters in music theory and a graduate certificate in violin performance. I've found getting to know my professors and advisors to be one of the most important factors of all in surviving an academic program with chronic medical conditions. Now that I'm studying at a higher level (specialized graduate degrees) it is much easier since I have the same professors each semester. I can and do openly discuss things with them on a regular basis. They always have at least a vague idea of what is going on with me medically and, being on almost-friend terms, they trust me and don't think twice about granting accommodations, extended deadlines and such. I've even had professors take me to doctors appointments and pick me up after surgery/procedures!

The fatigue is AWFUL! Just today I fell asleep in the student union for two hours while trying to grade papers (I'm a graduate teaching assistant). Fortunately, instead of getting upset when I fall asleep in class (and it happens A LOT!) my profs don't make a big deal of it and ask me after class if I'm feeling okay.

I'm free to get up and move around as needed in classes, and at least as a musician I can change positions frequently: sit and study, stand and practice, sit and practice, play piano, sit and read, sit and teach, lounge and listen... And I, too, do much of my studying on my bed or sofa. Today my back was so unhappy at a library table that I wheeled over the the student union couches by my favorite fish tank (hence the big nap!).

Thanks for the interesting thread!
'Erie (-:

Hey Daz
Yes, It all worked out for me. I convocated in June. All done. Well, I am contemplating my Phd but we'll see-don't know if I can put my body through that again.
Good luck with your studies.


Rene a.k.a Julie