Hi I am a teacher with a student who has Crohn's. She really wants to be a doctor even though others have told her it is impossible. I wanted to find her someone to discuss it with that has experience, to give her some hope and support. She is an amazing young woman and I really do not want her to give up on her dreams.
Doctor with Crohn's
- Thread starter ccdishman
- Start date
Help Support Crohn's Disease Forum:
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2015
- Messages
- 40
I am a doctor practicing with Crohn's disease. I am in the animal field, so I'm a veterinarian....but similar circumstances. I got diagnosed a year ago....so luckily I made it through vet school before my disease wreaked havoc in my life.
It definitely is difficult...but by no means impossible, as long as you are honest with your boss and coworkers. The intense stress of my job contributes to my bad days and I definitely think I'd be healthier with a less stressful job. But I am in the field now and there's no turning back. My biggest issue is the after hours emergency calls. The adrenaline rush and spike of stress when I get a call almost ALWAYS triggers cramping and diarrhea. So that part sucks. And I miss work for infusions and bad days and my surgery last February. But I refuse to throw away my career because of this nasty disease. If she really wants to be a doctor, tell her to be the best doctor ever!
It definitely is difficult...but by no means impossible, as long as you are honest with your boss and coworkers. The intense stress of my job contributes to my bad days and I definitely think I'd be healthier with a less stressful job. But I am in the field now and there's no turning back. My biggest issue is the after hours emergency calls. The adrenaline rush and spike of stress when I get a call almost ALWAYS triggers cramping and diarrhea. So that part sucks. And I miss work for infusions and bad days and my surgery last February. But I refuse to throw away my career because of this nasty disease. If she really wants to be a doctor, tell her to be the best doctor ever!
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2011
- Messages
- 1,400
Somewhere here there is a doctor with crohn's. Bumping this so that he hopefully can get to see it and respond.
- Joined
- May 4, 2015
- Messages
- 18
That is so cruel that she was told she couldn't be a doctor because of crohns! who said that?? This is in no way true. I know plenty of doctors who have Crohn's.
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2015
- Messages
- 17
I had a classmate in High School with CD and she is now a very successful OB-GYN. There is no harm in at least trying for what you want to do in life, but lots of harm in not.
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2012
- Messages
- 3,975
My son's pediatrician has UC and he himself wants to be a doctor. No one has told him he can't in fact his GI has already told him he will write him letters of recommendation as well as set up a week of shadowing different doctors before he applies to Med school (that's a few years off as he is a junior in high school this year).
With the millions of people who have crohn's I'm certain there are ones in just about every career imaginable.
With the millions of people who have crohn's I'm certain there are ones in just about every career imaginable.
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2012
- Messages
- 14,728
Same here Ds has told more than a few of his docs that of the many things he wants to be ( he has a long list and is only 11)
A doctor is one of them
They all are encouraging him
He has more than "just crohns" going on as well
A doctor is one of them
They all are encouraging him
He has more than "just crohns" going on as well
Hello!! I am so glad you have come on here to find some inspiration.
I am in my final year studying medicine (Eek!). I was diagnosed with Crohn's after my first year of uni. It was a tough and horrible experience being so ill and yet trying to continue with my studies when I was first diagnosed but I made it and I'm still going strong!!
No one should ever tell her that she can't. Most universities have fantastic support networks for students like us who may need a bit of extra TLC. They are usually very understanding if you may need to take time out due to health issues and they will do their best to make sure you fulfil your dreams.
I know what it is like to study a highly stressful degree alongside having Crohn's. It is tough, I can't deny that, but it has made my love for medicine even stronger and you have a bond with your patients as you can comprehend what some of them are going through. There has never been a day that I have regretted doing medicine and tbh some days it is what gets me up and out of bed on the days when I am feeling particularly unwell!!
Even before I had Crohn's, I was told I should look at other subjects as I won't get into medicine, I had to work very hard for my grades but I knew that I wanted to do medicine and although a lot of teachers said I couldn't a few said I could and all you need is one to have faith in you and you have all the motivation you need.
So please give her faith that she can do whatever she wants to do in life as long as she puts her heart into it. You don't have to be top of the class, just have to have the right attitude and work ethic.
Yes Crohn's may slow you down here and there but don't let it stop you doing what you love!!
Please message me if you would like me to get in contact with you or your student, I would be more than happy to advise her on medical schools (I'm UK based) and help her in any way I can
Xx
I am in my final year studying medicine (Eek!). I was diagnosed with Crohn's after my first year of uni. It was a tough and horrible experience being so ill and yet trying to continue with my studies when I was first diagnosed but I made it and I'm still going strong!!
No one should ever tell her that she can't. Most universities have fantastic support networks for students like us who may need a bit of extra TLC. They are usually very understanding if you may need to take time out due to health issues and they will do their best to make sure you fulfil your dreams.
I know what it is like to study a highly stressful degree alongside having Crohn's. It is tough, I can't deny that, but it has made my love for medicine even stronger and you have a bond with your patients as you can comprehend what some of them are going through. There has never been a day that I have regretted doing medicine and tbh some days it is what gets me up and out of bed on the days when I am feeling particularly unwell!!
Even before I had Crohn's, I was told I should look at other subjects as I won't get into medicine, I had to work very hard for my grades but I knew that I wanted to do medicine and although a lot of teachers said I couldn't a few said I could and all you need is one to have faith in you and you have all the motivation you need.
So please give her faith that she can do whatever she wants to do in life as long as she puts her heart into it. You don't have to be top of the class, just have to have the right attitude and work ethic.
Yes Crohn's may slow you down here and there but don't let it stop you doing what you love!!
Please message me if you would like me to get in contact with you or your student, I would be more than happy to advise her on medical schools (I'm UK based) and help her in any way I can
Xx
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2012
- Messages
- 88
I have had crohns for 27 years and I work in a high-stress law enforcement job. My son was recently diagnosed while in the early stages of an Air Force career -- the AF let him go. As a person who has experienced crohns for many years and now a mom who worries about her 22 yr old son with crohns, here is my 2 cents.
Support your child/student as best you can in the dreams they want to achieve. This also means being realistic about the challenges of engaging in a highly stressful career with crohns disease -- not dashing their dreams, but being knowledgeable of what the added stress can do to for crohns maintenance. In addition, plan for the future. I'm facing a difficult dilemma in my older years, as I am becoming medically unqualified for my stressful position. While my organization can provide me with a reasonable accommodation, they are under no obligation to provide me a new job that I'm medically qualified to handle. Scary situation after serving 31 years.
To sum it all up... Never say never. Be supportive. Be realisitic. Knowledge is Power
Support your child/student as best you can in the dreams they want to achieve. This also means being realistic about the challenges of engaging in a highly stressful career with crohns disease -- not dashing their dreams, but being knowledgeable of what the added stress can do to for crohns maintenance. In addition, plan for the future. I'm facing a difficult dilemma in my older years, as I am becoming medically unqualified for my stressful position. While my organization can provide me with a reasonable accommodation, they are under no obligation to provide me a new job that I'm medically qualified to handle. Scary situation after serving 31 years.
To sum it all up... Never say never. Be supportive. Be realisitic. Knowledge is Power
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2013
- Messages
- 798
What a lot of piffle there's no reason for not being a Dr it's not contagious and will probably give better insights for what patients go through.
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2011
- Messages
- 256
You might want to contact her :
http://www.rachelremen.com
http://www.rachelremen.com
