If you're like me (and I know I am) you're out of high school and on the in college. You've beat the stress of entrance test scores, admission applications, and orientations. That math class in high school that caused you some major pains is now just a memory. And you and your close friends have probably been forced to scatter thanks to the dumb idea of not putting every college in the same place. So now what???? For starters, you can take some advice from those that have been through it all before and those who are just getting started. Don't forget to send your own experiences and, most importantly, don't forget to study!
From "JUEDS": As a recent college grad I can tell you that being away from home and having to deal with a flare up is tough and scary. College produces a lot of stress which as we all know can cause a flare up. My best advice to anyone going to school is prepare yourself. Do not get overwhelmed with the stress - plan your life to include your school work and social life. There is no reason why you should have to live differently. Keep in mind though that as you are planning your classes do not sign up for early classes just incase you have a flare - up, this will give you more time in the morning to get settled. Always keep safety food in your room and get your roommates or friends to cook in some nights and look for the bathrooms in different buildings ( you never know). Also, Freshman year you are going to meet a lot of people, and you may not want to divulge your problems to them right away, they may not understand and you never how they may act later on. Wait until you can trust them before you tell. You will be surprised though at how many people have stomach problems they just do not discuss. The most important thing to do at school is tell your professors at the beginning of the semester. This way if you get sick they will understand as long as you call them when you miss a class. Going out when you do not feel well can be tricky - offer to drive so you can leave early and do not drink alcohol when you are sick - it is a killer. I lived off of cranberry juice and seltzer. If you are scared about pressures don't be so many people do not drink so it is not a big deal. Keep in mind that everyone is nervous about going to school but people with IBD just have to be a little more careful - knowing and understanding your body will make it alot easier. Good luck!
From Kattie: College.......... Ahh yes. The thing that will flare Crohn's to the highest degree. At my college we have something called ACCESS. It is a program that helps students with disabilities get resources they need to help those college years go a bit smoother. Through this program we are able to get privileges that most other people can't. There is also a wonderful support system through this program. they go on Field Trips too quarterly. If your college has something similar to this, I highly encourage you to sign up and get involved with it. This kind of program will also excuse you from being graded on your absences for medical reasons. If your College does not have one, help one get started. Talk to your counselor and get involved. In the long run, you will be highly grateful.
From Heidi: I'm getting ready to leave for college in a month and my doctor thought it would be great to send me with 12 pills a day. What a nightmare.
From Dani: Wow! I thought I was the only one! :-) I am currently a 19 year old Senior at UW. Boy, did my first year suck...health wise that is. A few pieces of advice:
I don't care what they tell you, DON'T eat dorm food.
If you have to eat dorm food, talk to the kitchen managers, in person. they can be very helpful.
Even if you don't feel disabled, see the disabled student office. they can help in ways unimaginable. (I got an apartment where I could cook my own food after really bad problems with dorm food, and bars for the shower, see below)
Tell your roomies everything. Mine knew my doc's #, my emergency #'s and about my meds. (I fainted in the shower twice and she rescued me from drowning without laughing her butt off because she knew...)
I don't care how uncool it is, take your meds in the lunchroom if you have too. there are ways to disguise pill bottles. I use a small tin that fits in my jeans or back pack. my friends know and don't care, because they know I wouldn't be there otherwise.
Campus jobs: cool, but tell all after your hired. Be honest with your employer and co workers. They need to know how to depend on you. I've called my boss several times from the ER (at home) to up date him on my health. He appreciated it...even at 2am.
I second the opinion about profs, most don't care if you skip class anyway, but they will be impressed if you care enough to check up on important issues in class, especially if your gone for a test or quiz.
Most of all, find time for yourself. Schedule accordingly (I'm slow in the mornings when I feel bad, I open a building on campus to give me motivation to actually get up and the time it takes to walk through the building is usually all my body needs to wake up and shake off the illness. By the time I'm at class I feel fine) I used to take baths (I didn't faint I was already lying down) to be alone, swam, and sometimes rode my bike around. Class is stressful, but don't let it get you down. Get plenty of rest, no 2am crams. You will feel awful.
College is FUN, have FUN. Alcohol is bad, way bad...but your buddies will love YOU because YOU are the Designated Driver :-) Yeah!!!!! Just have a life, study (you know *get* the degree ~grin~), and stay healthy! Take care y'all :-)
From Erin: I am a senior in college and just finished writing my senior thesis last week--which, not surprisingly, caused a rather serious flare-up despite taking lots of medication. I was diagnosed with Crohn's during my junior year here, after 5 years of misdiagnosis, innumerable tests and doctors, and an appendectomy. I was declared to be in "remission" this past summer, but the stress level of this past semester has been very high, with all of the work going into my thesis at the conclusion of 4 years of study, and a flare-up seemed inevitable. But I found that the best way to manage stress has been to let my professors know before hand about my disease--and they have been very understanding. I still tried to meet all of my deadlines on time, but it has been at the expense of my health and, in retrospect, not something that I would do again. As important as each paper, each test, and each presentation may seem, nothing should come before your health. I am not saying that you cannot get all of your work done and achieve all of your goals--just plan your semester with your health in mind. When you get to class in the beginning of the semester, check out the syllabus closely and see what needs to get done when. Then, keep your health in mind--and start planning your semester early. Set realistic goals for yourself to get your work done. Don't leave that paper or that studying for the last minute. Procrastination is a bad idea anyway, but it has serious implications for a Crohn's patient. Figure out what you can do to reduce the stress and keep yourself healthy. And definitely schedule in some social time--it will keep you sane and keep stuff in perspective. My close friends have been so important to me here. I am still learning to live with this disease, but I would have benefited a lot from better planning at the beginning of the semester. Most of all, have fun at school! (Yes, it is still possible to have Crohn's and enjoy college--but I agree with "JUEDS" above, alcohol is a bad thing when you're sick!)
From Heidi: I'm now a sophomore in college and am currently getting over a bad flare-up. I haven't felt that sick since I was first diagnosed. So here's some advice: when you feel sick after eating anything, you lose a ton of weight, and you feel like you did when you were diagnosed, go to the doctor; do NOT go to the Health Center-I went and told the doctors I had Crohn's Disease and they thought my symptoms were due to gallstones (which I didn't have); go to the emergency room; and do NOT wait. I'm on Prednisone now and I'm miserable. It's not easy being 20, gaining a ton of weight, getting acne all over again, and trying to have a social life at college at the same time. But, at least I'm getting better.
Return to Teens With Crohn's