What causes IC? Algebra!! (tongue firmly planted in cheek)

[GinaGV]

Last year I returned to college after being out of High School since the dark ages. This semester, I began a class called College Algebra. (It was a required class, which I dont understand since Im going for a degree in writing and I really don't care what X equals). I was really stressing about it and working like 8 hours a day on it, and my IC came on with a vengance. I was putting alot of stress on myself about the class, and I was not gonna let my husband say I told you so. Night before last, I came back from a trip to the bathroom and I was IN PAIN. I had been particularly diligent about the food I was eating when the flare started, and went back to the full dosages of my valium and all, but it was not cutting it now. Anyway he came in and saw I was in alot of pain and said Drop the class. It's gonna kill you. I said IM not a quitter. He said I know you're not, but the summer class is condensed, only 8 weeks. Take it again in the fall or spring when its the full 16 weeks and you wont be so rushed. I do not want to have to rush you to the hospital because of this class. Drop it. Now. I spoke to my college advisor and the teacher and they all agreed with him, so I"ve dropped the class today. Lets see if my pain starts to diminish.

Anyway that my theory on what causes IC

Gina

[SharonA]

What a wise husband you have. I know that stress is my #1 trigger. My first symptoms began on a very stressful day.

[lisabar36]

Hi there, well we have something in common. I am taking a history class online and I don't see how that even pertains to my degree, but its a 6 week summer course and I seen the work thats required and I am rethinking that class thats for sure. Now math and me, I think I would flare from the day the class started until the day it ended. Math stresses me out more then anything. Summer classes are much harder because they are condensed. I do feel online though for me is much less stressful then actually going to class. I hate to be picked on in class and when I don't feel good I don't have to worry. I graduated nursing school in 1994 but I was much younger then, I actually liked school then but now with IC being in the comfort of my home is great and easy access to the bathroom. :)

[traceann]

Oh yeah, stress is my hugest trigger!! I too think that's a pretty great hubby you have there, lol!! ;)

And I'm like Lisa, lol, from the first day of a math class I'd have been flaring, lol. And I definitely love the theory that algebra causes IC, lol, that cracked me up!! :biglaugh:

[Janie Miranda]

I was horrid at math all through primary school and it didn't get any better when I went back to school and finished my degree when I was in my early 40s. (I slaved at it obsessively though and actually managed to graduate Summa Cum Laude but I just about killed myself doing it<grin>)
Are you taking the classes at a community college or at a University? Sometimes if you can go and take a course at a CC (as long as it will transfer to your university of course) then you might get a little more individualized attention and the course might not be quite as fast paced.
Good luck! I commend you for going back to school. It's never easy and it is particularly difficult when you have a medical condition like IC>