jessa
New Member
Posts: 22
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School
Jan 22, 2011 8:18:55 GMT -5
Post by jessa on Jan 22, 2011 8:18:55 GMT -5
So I just began my first semester of college this month. Of course, I'm 2 years younger than most students since I'm 16. Thankfully, I had my period about a week before the first day of college so I didn't have to worry about it then. Now, my period is due next Friday and I'm just terrified. My last period was an absolute NIGHTMARE where I was too sick to take anything in my mouth, including pills like naproxen that was prescribed for me. I had started taking naproxen 3 days before my period was due to begin and took it regularly right up to the night before my period started. I had to suffer in horrible pain from the time I woke up (around 6am) until lunch time when everything settled enough for me to eat something and take my naproxen. Not every period is this bad, but many of them are. I know that if I can get that naproxen in I should be good. I guess I'm just afraid that I will be sick like last month and skip a day of college classes. I'm taking courses 5 courses and really can't afford to be out sick every month. Of course, y'all can't make the pain go away but I feel so much better after doing a little "ranting and raving". I haven't started the endo diet yet as I've just been so busy getting settled into college life. There's one cafeteria on campus and they sell the most delicious burgers & fries. I do pack a salad almost everyday but haven't cut out wheat/soy yet. I did discuss my problems with my counselor so she knows what I struggle with at times. She said that if I'm ever too sick to come in for class, I just have to give her a call and she'll let all my teachers know that I can't come in without giving too much details or telling them why. I guess I just don't know what else to do right now...my doctor did mention the possibility of going on birth control but I've heard that it can have some nasty side effects which I can't really handle right now with classes going. In some ways, I wished that I had paid attention to this problem last summer since I knew that I'll be starting college this month. Perhaps I would've already had a lap or been prescribed something that actually works. I guess I've rambled on enough...if you have any tips on what I can do for the pain, please let me know. You ladies for the best!
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School
Jan 22, 2011 8:40:13 GMT -5
Post by KSA on Jan 22, 2011 8:40:13 GMT -5
Congrats first on being in college two years early wow what a accomplishment. It sounds like you know your cycle pretty well so I am wondering if the budget allows for you to get a massage or accupuncture the day before your flow or when the pain is so intense you feel like you may miss a class. Check the massage schools first most of the time they have days that are freebies for students to practice or at a cost like $10 to $20. I was pregnant in college high risk too my back pain was awful so I went to the massage school for relief. I didn't get big til my last month and that when no one would work on me for good reason. I currently use massage for a variety of health issues I no longer have my uterus but still have yucky endo it works! Jenaya is in school too I bet she will have a ton of advice for you. Provera pills for the bleeding has doc ever mentioned that? If your anti nausea med is not working they have a ton of others to try.... ask your doc. I use a wrist band called the Prima Bella Band it works amazing and I went thru two surgeries with it and had very little nausea. I'm sensitive to so many meds and zofran actually makes me throw up more. Def see your doc and do they have a school clinic? Not sure if your school is near your doctor. Good Luck honey you will make it thru this...
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School
Jan 22, 2011 9:39:46 GMT -5
Post by Karen on Jan 22, 2011 9:39:46 GMT -5
Honestly, the biggest way I found to relieve pain is through diet. I can't stress that enough. Diet changes are what allowed me to go off daily pain meds. Seriously.
I'm also a big fan of acupuncture. I think everyone should try it, see if it works. My chiropractor/nutritionist has a cold light laser that works WONDERS when my period is awful. It's maybe $20 for a session, they put a laser pad on my belly for 10 minutes, and by the next day, the pain is gone. It basically speeds up the inflammation process so things get better faster. I haven't had to go in a long time but they always suggested I go when it first starts rather than wait until it gets bad (which is what I always did...).
So, yeah, there are ways to deal with the pain, and I'm sure some other girls will give you some really good tips, but the diet is the #1 way a lot of us have been able to get much more control over endo. Good luck.
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School
Jan 22, 2011 14:19:41 GMT -5
Post by pretty on Jan 22, 2011 14:19:41 GMT -5
Honey, the diet is the only thing that is going to make you feel better enough for school. That said, you should really think about eliminating wheat and dairy as your first step. There is another thread where I posted a list of stuff I'd buy if I was starting the diet today. cjlevett.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=diet&action=display&thread=4516Good luck with the diet, it's your best bet! Lisa
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School
Jan 22, 2011 18:57:33 GMT -5
Post by katiev on Jan 22, 2011 18:57:33 GMT -5
Congrats on college 2 years early! You go girl! I started the diet a month ago and have haven't had a cramp yet! I also go to accupuncture 2 times a week. I told the accupuncturist about my endo she she knew exactly what points to work on. She also recommended massaging my butt cheeks a minute or so per side before I go to bed and that reduces the inflammation around the hips, uterus and legs. I find that it really helps a lot too. Have you tried looking at this home page for this website? I think there is a link to find treatment centres, etc in your area. Let us know how you are doing.
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jessa
New Member
Posts: 22
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School
Jan 28, 2011 19:17:30 GMT -5
Post by jessa on Jan 28, 2011 19:17:30 GMT -5
Thanks for all the congratulations and responses! I had one busy week and didn't have time to log on until this evening. I was actually interviewed for the campus newspaper because I'm currently the youngest person on campus. They also took my photo and I was told that the article about me is more than 2 pages long. I'm a little nervous about being in the paper since I won't be able to read it it's published. But this is all positive stuff and I appreciate the opportunity.
I know that I really should go on the diet but just feel that it's such a challenge for me right now. I really need to be eating more -- not less as I'm slightly underweight for my age/height.
Thanks for letting me know about the massages. My campus is a small one and doesn't have a massage school or something similar that I can look into. But now that you mentioned it, I'll look into it some more.
My period is supposed to start tomorrow which just might be a blessing in disguise as it's now the weekend and I won't have class until Monday.
I'll keep y'all posted. Please think & pray for me when you can as this whole thing has been a real trial for me. Have a lovely weekend!
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School
Apr 10, 2011 14:20:29 GMT -5
Post by Heather on Apr 10, 2011 14:20:29 GMT -5
I was on a FB group for endo for a while, which I ended up dropping. It was mostly people complaining, and while I understand that is necessary (I mean duh, look what forum I'm posting in), I don't want to read it constantly. I prefer a format like this, where if I am feeling sympathetic I can read the emotional support board, if I need answers I can read the drugs/natural approaches/whatever board, etc.
Anyway, one thing that came up a lot is women being unsure whether they could finish school because of endo, or if they did finish, being unable to hold a job. Right now I'm a part time waitress, and I don't go to school. I have wanted to go for a while, but I'm just not sure what to go for. I feel kind of pressured to make up my mind and get on it before my condition gets so bad that I can't go.
Then if I do end up getting a degree, what happens if I can't work full time (or at all)? How do I pay off the loans? I'm almost positive I won't be able to get grants because my husband makes too much money--FAFSA doesn't take into account how much we spend on my health every year. I'm just really confused and I don't know what to do about this. How do you all deal with it?
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School
Apr 10, 2011 14:34:56 GMT -5
Post by uncomfortable on Apr 10, 2011 14:34:56 GMT -5
I don't know. I don't know if anyone deals with it really. I still wonder every day if I can hold down a job, or how much longer I will be able to be reliable, or what if something changes that will prevent me from being able to commit to my work the way I want to. I think to an extent everyone is afraid of what might come of them in the future, and maybe we just notice it more because we deal with chronic illness that has us constantly thinking about what we can and cannot do from day to day. For me going through school was the easy part. As hard as it was sometimes to make it to class, or make it through a project, at the end of the day, I wasn't getting paid for it, and I didn't have to be reliable to an employer. I wanted to do well, but I felt like I had more freedom in choosing to just not go when I felt too sick to be there. Now that I am working I am constantly thinking about the what if's of being able to do something. The only thing that really gets me through it is trying to take it one day, and one scenario at a time. I know I can push through a morning, and then I might feel better and be able to push through the afternoon, and then the whole week, etc.. I know its not an ideal way to look at it, but its still possible.
I know this isn't very reassuring - but school is very possible, and if you want to do it, do it. If you are worried about the cost, start with one or two classes at night if possible. If nothing comes of it career wise, at least you gave yourself the challenge of school, and can come out of it knowing you are capable f doing it, and accomplishing something you always wondered about. Instead of worrying about what you will take, just take something you are interested in, everything else will fall into place.
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School
Apr 10, 2011 14:44:05 GMT -5
Post by JC on Apr 10, 2011 14:44:05 GMT -5
Funny, I find school a lot harder than working. The classes I take I can't miss because exams are all lecture based. And if I miss so many labs then I get dropped from the course. When I worked I felt like I had more freedom to take a day off. I guess it all just depends on what you go to school for.
The way I deal with it is to lighten up my course load. Also when I'm having "good"days I will work my ass off to get ahead so that when I get knocked down on a "bad" day I wont get behind because I'm already ahead. It's extremely hard and it doesn't work all of the time but I try my best. I'm definitely struggling and there's not a day that goes by that I wonder if I can't do it anymore. Most of the time it's extremely difficult to push myself to get through the days when I'm in pain or sick. But I CAN'T miss any school so I have surprisingly pushed myself farther than I ever thought I could go.
About the FAFSA, I wouldn't worry about income too much. Everyone should qualify for a federal loan despite income. Speaking from experience, I have to report my husband's income too and I still get $12,500 a year in loans.
I have the same worries you do. How do I manage being sick and being a student? How do I manage being sick and a career that will demand so much of my time? I don't have the answers to that. I'm scared for my future too but time is going to pass whether I do something about it or not so I just continue on with plans and address it when I get there.
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School
Apr 10, 2011 20:24:40 GMT -5
Post by Karen on Apr 10, 2011 20:24:40 GMT -5
Well, I think when it comes down to it, you'll never know if you try! Is there a local technical college you can start out at and then transfer credits somewhere if you find your body will cooperate? I'm with Uncomfortable, I think we're all afraid how endo might affect us in the future, but we keep plugging ahead in the meantime anyway!
My symptoms didn't really hit me until after I was working, but even though it was hard to go to work like that, I still did it. Any my company was downsizing at the time and the last thing I wanted to be viewed as was dead weight, so I sucked it up and stayed at work most days when I was feeling awful. Even had a second job photographing weddings on the weekend, which is not something you can call in sick for even though I wanted to many times! Point is, we all have these scenarios that seem absolutely impossible to keep up with when it comes to endo, but we find a way to make it work. If you want to go to school, go to school!
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School
Apr 10, 2011 21:42:49 GMT -5
Post by omaklackey on Apr 10, 2011 21:42:49 GMT -5
I have done school full time all of last year and part time while working all of this year. Its possible... I won't say its at all easy and I don't plan on working full time, although it will take a while to get my school loans payed off. I already owe a ton on our credit card and a ton on school loans but I needed a change after my diagnoses. Something I could focus on besides feeling lousy all the time, something that was a positive in my life. I think even if you have to do things a little slower, if its something you want to do you shouldnt let the endo hold you back. Of course if I get into the Nursing program like I want, we will see how well I can handle that crazy school schedule with its 12 hour shifts/training days. I may need a reminder of what I'm telling you to keep going!
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School
Apr 10, 2011 22:24:45 GMT -5
Post by pretty on Apr 10, 2011 22:24:45 GMT -5
I myself question my ability to continue working in the kind of job I have now (office desk job) and intend to go back to school eventually to make myself more valuable to an employer and give me more flexibility and control to make more money in less time. everything helps and you have to keep looking forward. I'm not going to deny myself the freedom to grow and improve myself. and as for my health, i know I'm on the right track and I know I'll beat this disease eventually!
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School
Apr 11, 2011 7:11:48 GMT -5
Post by gemstone on Apr 11, 2011 7:11:48 GMT -5
I think it's a case of we will never know how the disease will affect us. I am still day to day with it as a lot of us are, but I get up and go to work almost every day (I have up to 3 days off every month at the moment which I hoping will change).
It can be difficult and embarrassing at times but I don't want my life to stop because of my body!!!
As Karen said, you'll never know until you try!
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School
Apr 11, 2011 7:13:52 GMT -5
Post by JC on Apr 11, 2011 7:13:52 GMT -5
Amazing how all of us admit how hard it is but we all agree: It is possible and we have pushed ourselves farther than we ever thought we could go. We are such a strong group of women! I'm proud of my endo girls!
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trae
New Member
Posts: 41
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School
Apr 11, 2011 11:38:00 GMT -5
Post by trae on Apr 11, 2011 11:38:00 GMT -5
I am in the same boat. I need to go back to school to get my Paralegal degree, but am so scared to start because I know there are going to be days where I just can't pull myself out of bed. Thankfully, I only work part time right now. I work Tues, Wed, Thursday and have the other four days off (best schedule ever, I know).
Is there anyway you could do online classes? I know there are a lot of programs out there that you can earn your degree completely online....I did it for Business school a few years ago. You can take just a couple of classes at a time and everything is at your own pace. They do have certain due dates for assignments, but there is no reason you couldn't plan your week around your symptoms if they are predictable.
Take me, I only have symptoms right before and during my period. If I was taking online classes, I would plan for that. I would get all of my assignments ready before those symptoms kicked in and I was knocked on my a$$ for two weeks.
It does depend on what you want to do because obviously, not all degrees can be earned online. But it is definitely something to look into.
You can do it. It may be hard, but you will get through it. I wish you the best!!
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