Is there any way that you can take a rest period for yourself when you get home from school for an hour or so?
Would that help you?
I quit working in 2001 but that was due to the epilepsly not the MS...and i have to tell you,, im bored to tears...grin..
And i appluad you on your chosen profession...smile.. i have three boys.. and did all the usual volunteer work,,, scouts,, t-ball etc... but to be trapped in a room full of them...uh uh..no way...lol...you are one very brave lady...grin

It has been about 1 year for me too and I work fulltime, come home and go to bed. I really had to learn to stop and sit down and relax my body, which for me was a drastic change. I can't imagine not working, but some days I really have to make myself get up and go. I refuse to give up though. It is a personal choice, but you have to listen to your body and stop and rest!! I think working is best for me.

if im not working and sitting alot i feel alot worse-i feel working is killing me sometimes cause its tough but i know i would feel worse if i didnt

I work full time as well. I am a middle school guidance secretary. I do all the school attendance reporting, and assign detention due to attendance reasons. I taught reading/math remediation computer lab (6-8th) last year. Are you on any meds for fatigue? I'm about to ask the neuro about it when I go back. I've noticed that I "run out of gas" about lunchtime, and gets more and more difficult to focus and stay alert as the day goes on. If figure if the adderall works for kids, surely it can help us!

I feel the same way. I would love to be involved but with family and working full time I can't be as involved as I want to. I agree with Tonia though because I know I wouldn't be doing so well health wise if I not working but I guess I still have to learn to relax and maybe work not so much

Thanks for all of your replies, I was taking Provigil, but it gave me bad headaches, I will talk with my neurologist about other options. It is nice to hear that there are other people out there who are still working, it seems most have had to quit.

Working with MS is possible. When I was first diagnosed I could not work as I was worse off physically then than I am now, I was even approved for Social Security permanent disability. About 5 years after, I "gave it back"--I went back to work. I work in radio now, and hold two jobs. It is a fun job but some days can be up to 17 hours long; so I really, really have to get rest. I'm lucky in that my kids are all older (24, 18, & 16) and help around the house. Despite the hours I have managed to strike a balance between what I do and how I rest, so that it doesn't affect me so much. You'll get your "groove," trust me; and I really suggest working as long as you can, and saving for the day, if it ever comes, when you'll have to take some time off. If you do have to stop working, don't think you can never go back to work again. You never know what the future holds for you.

Hi Denise,

Like you, I am also a teacher with MS. I was diagnosed around six months ago. I took about three weeks off after my dx and then went back 3 days per week, then 4, and now am back full time. I find that it is really hard to work all five days, but planning for a sub became a lot of work as well...so I'm thinking about possibly part time next school year. I'm also working on a graduate degree, and was 1/2 done with it when dx. I am still working on it (degree) and honestly don't know at this point in time how I will manage both. For now, it's one day at a time. I want what's best for my students and for me, but it seems like they sometimes wind up with the short end of the stick...as do I. I think teaching is particularly difficult to make modifications for due to the nature of the job and all of the hours that are put in both inside the classroom and outside. My principal has been very supportive as have my colleagues and I am very greatful. Still, I need to figure out what I can do to manage to still work and get some badly needed sleep!

I am here for my boyfriend diagnosed with MS. He was let go from a high standing job he held for 25 years because of his MS, as he ahd to take time off work when first diagnosed. He is working again now, but in a different field, part time for now and is up for a Supervisory position. I know he makes sure he gets proper sleep at night and naps during day if needed and does not ever over do things when expending energy.

I went to a local MS Chapter once, Denise. It was once because in my opinion, they firstly are for the benefit of the drug companies or whatever their write-offs are as sponsors of these things.

Secondly, the people in there in their wheelchairs, etc., was very discouraging. Medicines I dont think we either around when some of these folks were diagnosed or they just didn't take then, or have some different circumstances.

Have to be careful to associate yourself with things that bring you up rather than down. There used to be a chat room on mswatch but they stopped that. Now and again it was nice to go on with questions or to help answer questions for newbies but I found that I couldn't do it all the time - it would make me obsessed with the MS. Balance is hard - I think we have to listen to ourselves for help with that. I'd stick to the normal community the most - and the ms folks when you have the time or the need. Sometimes I think that us "normal ms folks" need to strike up our own communities.

I am also a teacher. I taught 2nd grade for 12 years. After my dx I taught for 1 1/2 additional years. I switched to IST for a change but not missing out on being with kids. I am taking a health sabbatical at the end of this year. I am hoping to return to the classroom after my sabbatical is over. If not, I'll know that I tried. What is most important to me is to be able to save some energy and strength and share my time with my own kids after work and on the weekends.
Do what is right for you and your family.

Just a quick note, someone mentioned medications for fatigue and my neuro gave me one a little over year ago. I was dating a pharmacist at the time and he informed me that it was medication typically prescribed for people with narcolepsy. Just be careful because if you already have anxiety, any meds that keep you up will most likely enhance your panic or anxiety. I hope this helps!!