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- A New OU Student with Fibromyalgia
A New OU Student with Fibromyalgia
Hello all,
I am all set to begin my OU journey this October - with the eventual aim of gaining a BA in English Literature.
After a series of tests for the latter part of 2011, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I suffered with a variety of symptoms, including neurological and mobility issues.
The worst of this went on from July 2011 - January 2012, however, I have now learnt that even at my best - the liklihood of me being able to follow my dream career as a Midwife is slim to none, due to the mental and physical demands required.
It was a bitter pill to swallow - but in an attempt at remaining positive, I have decided to embark on a different journey. I have chosen to do a degree in subject that I love, I have always been a reader and creative writer, so I have decided that for personal achievement alone I would like to do this.
Who knows? Maybe one day my health will be significantly improved and this degree will assist me in getting a great job - but for now, working towards a personal achievement is enough for me, and I am lucky to have a husband who prioritises my health over our wealth.
I am also a mother of three children, aged 9, 5 and almost 4 ... is there anyone else out there with Fibromyalgia (or ME/CFS/Other Similar Condition) who studies with the OU and somehow manages to juggle their symptoms with their other priorities?
I would love to hear from others who do this ... any other Mummy's as well. It's so hard to describe the condition to someone who doesn't live with it - but there are so many forums online where people seem to have 'given up' - something I am not prepared to do, now or ever.
Jeez, I have babbled - find it difficult to get my point across quickly sometimes. I'm sure some of you reading this will be familiar with that and a whole host of other tedious issues.
Thanks for reading (I tried to make it as easy as possible to read, by breaking it up into small chunks).
Hi
I, too, am a fibromyalgia sufferer (as well as many other conditions). I am also a working single mum of two (14 and 11) and have been disabled due to a spinal injury, for the last ten years. I am endeavouring to change the course of my life in order to improve the quality of my life. As mobility is an issue for me (I am currently awaiting more major spinal surgery), I am trying to explore the validity of earning a living from my bed, as I have to spend so much time there. I hope to be able to use a degree in Eng Lit to help me delve into other areas of work: namely, writing. While I understand that it is certainly not going to be easy, I remain sanguinous at the prospect. It would be good to share experiences as we proceed.
Melina :)
This time last year I was worried I might have fibro, but turned out to be coeliac disease and chronic fatigue. I have been in full time work for the last 15 years and have been trying to do my degree at the same time. Unfortunately health problems do get in the way, but like yourselves I keep on keeping on as I am determined not to give up. I want to go into astronomical research to study the birth of stars and such like. That is my dream, to be truly academic and to live in a science bubble, bliss!
My son is now an adult, but I have been ill since before he was born, as well as being a single mum for the whole time. I have always wanted him to make a life for himself and to not settle, which he seems to be doing. If we can encourage each other as there are always hard times then we will win in the end. Don't see it as a door closing, but an unexpected door opening.
Good luck with your studies
Anne