Crohn's and being a college student.

[DarthCalculus]

So. I am working on two projects, one term paper, preparing for two finals, and getting ready to present my senior thesis proposal, and my romantic life is starting to look good again.
And my Crohn's is acting up.
I leak diarrhea through my underwear and onto the bed and don't wake up for it, and between that and the feeling and the smell, I'm fairly certain I have a fistula. I'm on Remicade and mercaptopurine (incidentally, two drugs used to treat fistulas) already. I'm throwing up between classes and having diarrhea five or six times a day. Yeast infections have become part of life. I'm dehydrated.
Right now it just feels like this disease is consuming my sexuality, my IQ, and my humanity. My body feels disgusting to me--it never works, it's always excreting something nasty from some orifice, and my libido is FAR higher than my body image right now. Oh, did I mention that penetration hurts like hell? Yeah.
And I can't focus on anything. It's so much harder to learn and zero in on things, and I feel like an idiot. I'm too easily distracted in class, partly because I'm not sleeping well and am constantly tired.
I hardly even feel like a person anymore. The Crohn's is wearing me out physically and emotionally to the point that I cannot adequately function anymore. I just want to shut out the world.
I've thought about taking a semester of medical leave, but I highly doubt that it would help. I'd be living in a house with four other kids again, living in a community where I wasn't out, away from counseling. I'm afraid going home would only make things worse. I just want to GIVE UP.
Seeing my doctor on Tuesday to see what's going on.
Hopefully there'll be something conclusive and something that can fix it, because this is NOT a way to live. I'm feeling more and more worn out in every possible way.

 

[Silent Lunch]

Wow, it's amazing how similar your situation is to mine. I'm in the midst of multiple projects, a term paper, and other academic issues (as well as working off campus 3-4 day sa week), and my Crohn's is flaring up. I'm due for my own Remicade infusion this upcoming Wednesday, and a colonoscopy a week from then.

The reason I stay in school is this: if I can do all of this, complete school and manage to succeed, all with a disease as physically and emotionally draining as Crohn's, then there's really nothing that can't be done. I can't tell you whether or not this method of thinking is successful, as I'm only a junior in college myself, but it's gotten me through some of my roughest patches and I have faith that it'll follow me through to the end of my school career. Just imagine the supreme satisfaction of knowing you accomplished something that nearly half of all students in the United States fail to do, all while suffering from Crohn's? That's amazing! I feel that is something that is well worth the effort, stress, and pain.

Unless your doctor advises you to do so for a health related purpose, I would not take time off of school. I've wanted to do it myself - I almost did, at one point - but try your best to hang in there! I know it's embarrassing and difficult to talk about with people who don't fully understand, but try to let your teachers know what's going on. From personal experience, I know how difficult it is to get the bureaucratic mess that is a college campus to give you leeway for having a virtually "invisible" illness, but if you get some form of documentation, than teachers are legally obligated to give you extra time to complete your studies. With that behind you, you're sure to get that little bit of extra help you need to keep going.

I really hope everything works out for you, and keep us updated!

 

[Jennifer]

I think its possible to continue your studies while you get proper treatment as long as you talk to your professors about your condition and let them know that you may need extra time on projects and may miss class more often due to appointments and healing. Once you hear what your doctor says is going on and get tests done to be sure (I hate it when doctors just guess but don't take a look, that's a bad GI imo), then you'll know roughly how long the healing process will be and what's all involved. Then you can decide whether or not to take a break or try to continue with school for now. So basically get your medical stuff under control first (which you're doing and I'm proud of you for it) and then decide where the school and the rest of your life falls. I know it sucks but your health always comes first otherwise you can't do anything you want to do.

Having Crohn's and going to college is very possible and many of us have done it (I have my Master's degree in Sculpture). It all depends on the severity and your drive so keep that in mind.

 

[Manzyb]

Hang in there!! I can totally relate. I was pretty sick all through college, it so wasn't easy, but I managed. I cued my professors in as to what was going on with me, and a lot of them helped me as far as missing classes and making sure I was all caught up on my studies/work. Some weren't so gracious, but most were understanding and also wanted me to succeed.

This Crohn's business really sucks.

 

[TIcinderella]

I can definitely relate. I never used to let my professors know about me having Crohn's. Unfortunately, the past year has been especially difficult and I'm in the middle of switching medication regimens. I told all of my teachers about my medical condition, contacted them as soon as I knew I was going to be absent, etc. You'd be surprised how supportive and helpful they can be in your time of need!

Also, I registered with my school's disability resource center. At my school, the disability resource center can pair you with a notetaker for the quarter, can help you reschedule exams if needed, provide verification of your medical condition for professors (as opposed to constantly needing to get notes), etc.

Hang in there as much as you can and do the best that you can. However, your health comes first. If at the end of the day you need to take a quarter or semester off, then do that. I have a friend who has Crohn's as well and she took a quarter off when her flares got to be too much. She came back refreshed, with her Crohn's more under control, and with clarity. She made up her quarter over summer.

I know in the face of adversity, it can be difficult to stay positive. I've cried more this year then I think I have my whole life combined. But we Crohnies are as resilient as they come! There is nothing we can't do!!

I'd also suggest taking an hour or two each day to forget about school work, etc and do something calming and relaxing. If you like to read, I suggest doing that. Sometimes you just need to lose yourself in the pages of a good novel and forget your troubles.

If you need a friend, feel free to PM me!

Good luck and tons of well wishes!

 

[charlestonsurfer]

I know exactly what you are going through. Talk to your Center for students with disabilities. They helped me a HUGE amount. They talked to my professors so I would not get in trouble for missing classes and even had an assigned note taker for me. I would always be so sick by the time finals where done I would spend my entire break in bed. Just make sure to get rest, eat right, and stay away from Aderral (I was perscribed and it always made my symptoms way worse).

 

[effdee]

Crohn's knocked me out of school at the beginning of the year. I was able to get a credit for my tuition thanks to the Disabilities Support office, so definitely look into what your school can offer as support.

I've only either had mild or severe symptoms during school so far, so I haven't gotten the pleasure of trying to juggle school with being sick. I'm gonna go crazy if I miss another semester.