I’m anticipating the challenges when I return to school routines

After more than 10 years of working in schools, I should be better about managing my Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) through the transition from time off in the summer to the academic year in fall. But every year it seems to take me by surprise.

Since I love my job, that’s not what’s difficult; it’s the changes to my entire routine, which affect me physically. After school starts, I always need a few weeks to settle into that schedule and feel a little less exhausted.

I live on a small farm, where animals have to be cared for, fields have to be mowed, and my horse Cherry needs to be exercised. In summer, I can spread those tasks throughout the day and take a break between them if necessary.

But when school’s in session, that’s not an option. I still have to do all my farm tasks, but they have to be crammed in before and after my job, condensing my periods of exercise. Rather than being relatively active most of the day in summer, I’m doing most of my heavy activity, like riding Cherry and caring for the animals, in the few hours after school. I do light chores in the morning. In between, when I’m in school, I alternate between sitting at my desk as a counselor and being up and about while teaching.

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The effect on my EDS

Beyond my fatigue, this shift upsets my gastrointestinal system. Even though my diet doesn’t change for the school year, my body needs a few weeks to get used to the new timing of my days. In those weeks, I can definitely feel how sensitive my EDS makes my GI system. It’s frustrating, but there’s not much I can do but wait it out. It always gets better, but it can be uncomfortable in the interim.

More than my activities, it’s the change in my routine that makes me sore, I believe. I get stiff at school from sitting at my desk, and then, after trying to do so much in less time, I get extra tired. And since I have less time at home during the school year, I also want to sit down for a few minutes to relax while there. And of course, my dogs need plenty of attention.

But that means I get to bed later, which makes me more tired the next day. And so it goes round and round.

After the first month or so of school, though, things even out. My body gets used to my new chore routine. My GI system calms back down. At school, I remember to get up and move around regularly, not just when I’m teaching, so I don’t get too stiff.

Still, I’ve learned over the years that there’s only so much I can do to prepare for this transition. More than anything, I just have to keep pushing through, and after a few weeks everything will be fine again.

Note: Ehlers-Danlos News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Ehlers-Danlos News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Ehlers-Danlos.