Worries about college and medication

[bandbmom]

My son will be moving away to college next year and I'm already worrying about whether he will take his medicine or not. I know that some of you have already been in this position and I was wondering how you handled it. He takes about 17 pills a day and he hates taking them. He's young and doesn't understand what will happen if he doesn't take his medication every day. I think that he thinks he will be just as good without any medicine - and we all know what will happen if he doesn't take it. Do you have any suggestions for us as we prepare for him moving away?:sign0085:

 

[KWalker]

Personally I think if he's doing well on medicine, than he'll only not take them once. Once he realizes how much worse he's doing without them he'll jump right back on. If he's going on to college, as much as you're worried about him you should let him make adult decisions. He'll make the right choice. I'm a student too, were not all like were made out to be.

 

[DustyKat]

Hey bandbmom,

Both of my kids are now at university but only one lives away from home. I had the same concerns and worries that you now have when Sarah moved away and unfortunately there is not a lot we can do about it.

I guess the main thing I did was hopefully arm her with a sense of responsibility and functional independence. Although I didn't flood her with information we did discuss the most important aspects of her disease and left her to take away from it what she would. I did most of the talking but as long as she listened that was okay. I knew that once she drove away then it was up to her to step up to the plate and take control.

It's hard enough as our children leave the nest but throw something like this into the mix and it can become all too overwhelming! :hug:

Sarah is in her third year now and she did indeed step up to the plate, much to my relief! :hang: Mum! It will all work out in the end. It may not always be plain sailing but he will get there and he will take ownership!

Dusty. xxx

 

[Farmwife]

Hi, it sounds like your son needs a heart to heart talk with his GI doctor. Let him or her explain in depth the true reality of what Crohns's will do if your not taking your meds. I'm sure he's heard it from you already But a doctor looking him strait in the eyes and telling him might relieve some of your worries. That way IF he does get sick because he doesn't take his meds it's his fault for not taking the advice. Also remind him it's awful hard to catch up on two weeks of college work because your were sick!:ybiggrin:
:soledance:Farmwife

 

[Tesscorm]

Thanks for asking the question Bandbmom! It's something that I worry about as well

Just offering some support and understanding! I expect it will work out as Kwalker and Dusty said above... I guess, as difficult as it is, we need to accept that it will be in their hands and that there may be a few bumps in the road.

I think it's a good idea to have their GI talk to them... I did that at a recent apptmt, asked the GI to speak to Stephen about drinking, drugs, etc. could affect his crohns but I left the room so that Stephen felt comfortable asking any questions.

:ghug:

 

[S mom]

That sounds like a good idea - so he hears it from someone who's not "mom the worry wart"!

I am really dreading the day my son moves out (not too far away... yikes, next year!) and I can't see him every day to reassure myself that he's ok. I hope that in the end, he'll remember how horrible he felt before treatment and that he will realize the merits of taking his meds and looking after himself - life lessons learned much before others his age!