#spoonie student

[thewanderingemporium]

Personal tips for screen work with a migraine

As we move deep into September, most universities have finished freshers week (at least in the UK) and are starting to teach.

This is both really exciting, but can lead to some problems - especially for my fellow migraine spoonies.

Because, it is a truth that is universally acknowledged, that a migraine will hit at the worst time possible.

Every time.

I have never had one yet that would come on when it was convenient.

And while some things can be put on hold - other deadlines just can't. As a recent uni student, I know that very painful feeling.

So today I wanted to share a few personal tips I found that let me at least get a little work done when a migraine hit.

But a quick reminder before we get to the list - these are only from personal experience (and they certainly won't make the pain go away when a migraine hits). These tips don't treat migraines, and I'm not recommending working through one either. These tips are not a substitute for taking a proper break, medication, and resting.

Let's get started:

Change fonts to those that are easier on the eyes – such as comic sans or other dyslexia friendly fonts - I personally like to use Comic sans as I find it very easy to read – especially with a headache. But play around and find which fonts work best for you.

Change the background colour in Word to something other than white, or activate night mode (if your device has this available) - I personally have found that changing the background to a soft grey in Word really helps me when I am working. But again, try out different colours and find what works best for you.

 Take regular screen breaks - These do not have to be long. It is commonly recommended that every 20 mins you should look at something that is 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds. Alternative breakdowns could be working for 30 mins, and then looking away from the screens for 5 mins. When I am experiencing a migraine attack, the screen time is dramatically reduced, and the rest time increases.

What tips do you have that allow you to finish time-sensitive work when experiencing a migraine? Let me know in the comments below!

Sending spoonie hugs!

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have concerning your medical conditions.

[tarathecogsci]

Breaking news, woman that was constantly too hot not even two full weeks ago and wanted the weather to cool down is now freezing!

[the-spoonie-life]

Hi everyone,

So I’m now a fully qualified teacher (party time). A lot of stress is finally gone now that I’m qualified and I start my summer job on Saturday.

Hope everyone is doing good

Anastasia

[learning-to-think]

I've sent two emails regarding two classrooms in which I had class.

One is just terrible, located near the above-ground subway rails, so we hear it every two minutes. We won the right to move to another classroom! yay! (I argued that having students dealing with ADHD / Autism in a class with so much outside noises was just hell)

The other one is terrible too but eh. The worst part is that the lift... hardly works... and most of the time, I cannot take the stairs. I got told there's not other room available at that time and it is too late in the semester to move the class and they'll repair the lift. (which was left a while week without repair)

Next time it doesn't work, I'm taking a picture and sending an email to the teacher saying I cannot go to class because it's not accessible + to the disability service saying it's not the first time. This uni advertises how accessible it is for everyone, this is unacceptable.

Now I've got to take another appointment with my uni doctor to see if I can add some accomodations, like specifying that the room must be accessible by lift, in case that could motivate them not to send me to Hell Building next term... and next year...

[yinlotus]

something i’ve been worried about is how well i’ll manage some of my classes in an art school because obviously i’ll have drawing classes and i’m a game design/animation major so that means lots of time spent on a computer but i have carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists, like what do i do when my pain flares up?? or when i need to wear my braces and won’t be able to hold a pencil or type that well?? when i graduate will this affect my chances at getting a job? this particular post is about carpal tunnel but i’m chronically ill (disabled?) so advice on general chronic pain would be helpful as well

[howtobeapersonwithfibro]

classes start this week, one of the online ones is super disorganized with no clear info so far, and my body is continuing to be a dumpster fire.

i have no idea how this is going to go but i’m just trying to do my best to rest, focus on my needs, and keep up with classes if i can. to be honest I’m seeing it as a trial period to see if i need to drop some or all of my classes and try again later. ahh, idk. 

being chronically ill and trying to navigate school can be so impossible sometimes. accommodations are great but they can’t change how your body malfunctions. 

[72sinkingships]

whats almost worst about being disabled is how ppl treat you for asking for basic accommodations🙄

no I cant be the person that writes down a page of data and draw up a table! my eblows, wrists, and fingers are in fire and I can barely move

[chronicillschronicpills]

UPDATE!

Hey guys,

I've been a bit MIA lately. Been dealing with a lot of different chronic illness things as we can all relate to, as well as trying to learn javascript at uni kill me. I also went to see my parents in Sydney for 4 days 'post covid'

Lupus-wise, i started methotrexate about 8 months ago and it helped a lot with my blood work. But, I've lost 40 kgs since august last year, a symptom of my lupus due to having no appetite and disgust for food which is really annoying to deal with and none of my doctors are that phased by it, despite losing so much weight in such a short amount of time. But we will see.

I've been diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain and have been given a great public team. very lucky to live in a country (New Zealand) with free good health care. I got 2 gynos, a pain nurse, pain doctor, pain psychologist for therapy, and a pelvic physio.

I am doing okay and would love to hear how you guys are doing?

Aston