frustrated & scared

[orchid53]

I was diagnosed with IC a few weeks ago. I just need to vent...

I'm graduating this May. I was supposed to go do service work in Asia for a year, but now I can't because of the lack of insurance (there is no way I can afford meds on the living stipend I would have, not to mention there might be issues actually getting the meds over there) and I don't think I'd find meds to keep me stable by the time that I leave. I'm trying so hard to get over it, but its proving to be quiet difficult. One of my friends who deals with fibromyalgia told me that it was okay to take a year or two to focus on my health, and I can still do something like that a few years down the road, which made me feel a bit better. Its just hard to get over the whole "its not fair" aspect of that my plans are ruined.

Since I'm not going to do that, it means I have to find a job. I'm cut off of my parents insurance in May. I'm afraid that in this job market, I won't find a job soon enough! None of my friends are sick and they don't have to worry about not having health insurance, so I have no one to talk to about this who understands (my friend with fibro is a few years older and doesn't live near me).

On top of it, I've had trouble just keeping up with schoolwork and going to class lately. Its making it harder to apply for jobs because I have to do all this catch up for school and I'm just so tired all the time already.

Keeping a relatively positive attitude is becoming more difficult and I just feel so alone sometimes. Thanks for listening.

[leelee88]

Hello and :welcome:

Just being diagnosed can be the hardest most frightening time with IC.. I know it was for me..
But things can get better.. There is a lot of helpful info here in the Patient Handbook there is a link at the bottom of my signature..

Also I hope you are trying the IC diet..Please feel free to ask any questions and remember you are not alone!

[Rainwilds]

... Since I'm not going to do that, it means I have to find a job. I'm cut off of my parents insurance in May. I'm afraid that in this job market, I won't find a job soon enough! None of my friends are sick and they don't have to worry about not having health insurance, so I have no one to talk to about this who understands (my friend with fibro is a few years older and doesn't live near me) ... On top of it, I've had trouble just keeping up with schoolwork and going to class lately. Its making it harder to apply for jobs because I have to do all this catch up for school and I'm just so tired all the time already ...

Hello there,

I'm sorry to hear about your news! :(

I just wanted to say that you can only do the best you can. I can totally understand how you are feeling right now! I'm 21 and I've been diagnosed with IC for about five months now, although I was sick since I was 17. It gets really tough when you see your friends move on normally but you have to get stuck behind because of something you didn't want to have. Just hang in there. A job will come along at the right time, the important thing is not too make it stressful because that will only make you feel worse. I had to drop out of university because of my IC about 1.5 years ago. Now, I've realized I just have to rearrange my life so that my IC doesn't disturb me more then it has to. I only have a part-time job, and I'm hopefully soon going to enroll in a distance university course so I can 'go' back to studies. The important thing is not too overload yourself. What kind of work will you be looking for?

Just do what you can with your classes, you have something that most people your age don't have to think about so you're doing well enough in the fact that you are still studying through this!

Take care and if you want to chat, feel free to private message me!

Hoping you feel better soon,
Ally

[orchid53]

Leelee - I have looked at the IC diet but I've been too busy with school to really think about it, I'm hoping to start within the next week as I've spring break. Thanks for pointing out the handbook.

Rainwilds - I'm sorry you've been sick for so long. Before this, I had chronic UTIs/kidney infections. It really takes a toll on you emotionally.

I try not to get stressed, but I'm a Type A personality and very driven, so its hard for me to accept that I have to rearrange my life, as you put it, around IC. I guess in some ways IC may help me learn that the best I can do is okay, whereas I usually try to do better than or more than I was doing previously. I'm registering with disability services so my professors have to accomodate me (which is also hard for me to own up to!).

I'm looking for jobs in the government or at non-profits, hopefully doing some sort of research/analysis position. Luckily, I've spoken to my parents and they will help me out until I can stand on my own two feet, so I don't feel like I have to have a job the minute I'm out of school.

Thanks for your support! Sometimes I just need someone to tell me that its okay to slow down, if that makes sense.

[Rainwilds]

... I try not to get stressed, but I'm a Type A personality and very driven, so its hard for me to accept that I have to rearrange my life, as you put it, around IC ... Sometimes I just need someone to tell me that its okay to slow down, if that makes sense ...

It totally makes sense! I've reminded people around me to tell me this at times when I am 'overloading' and it will cause me more damage then good. It's a great idea that you are looking into your personality traits. Being self-observant of your habits is the best way to adjust the ones that you know are not benefitting you at the moment. I ended up reading a fair amount on my personality type and it has really helped me a lot! Keep taking it easier! :)

Take care,
Ally

[ICNDonna]

You might want to check to see if you can purchase a continuation policy from your parents' insurance company. I don't know about insurance regulations in your particular instance, but it's definitely worth checking out.

Donna

[orchid53]

My parents are not working and COBRA is going to run out very soon, so they will be getting an individual policy which I doubt I would qualify for. Thanks for the suggestion, though!