Medical Withdrawl.. advice anyone?

[Godsgirl89]

Well I've finally hit my breaking point. Not only do I need to get some anti-anxiety medication but I feel it would be in my best interest to ask for a medical withdrawl for the college I'm attending due to IC. The stress and anxiety on top of the illness are just too much for me to handle. I have a scholarship I'm trying to keep and even going half time, I'm finding it hard to handle my load. Perhapse a semester off to work on getting better and removing the stress as much as possible would be best in this case.

I should have gone with my gut instict before this semester started and waited on God's timing.. nothing really felt right and I hit so many roadblocks just trying to get accepted to the Uni and get any online classes at all. Guess I know better now and I hope that it isn't too late to back out with a Medical Withdrawl.

What do you all think? Have any of you been there and what did you do to appeal with your university that you have a legitimate medical condition that is keeping you from doing what you need to do?

[Godsgirl89]

I want to add that I was already prone to anxiety issues before this whole IC thing started and that not only do I have that to deal with but the year before I was battling chronic allergy and asthma issues (they've calmed down some but still aren't gone). I've had about 1 normal semester where everything went well since I started college 3 years ago. I've had the worst case of Job syndrome imaginable for a young person except at least none of my family are dead. Oh wait, the year I started college, my aunt and my dog both died in the same month. Nevermind, I'm officially Job.. lol (for those of you who might not know, he was the guy in the Bible who God allowed Satan to test and see if he would remain faithful to God thoughout all the bad stuff that happened to him).

Yeah, so I've been through a lot. I know you all can sympathize because you're going through things at least as bad if not worse. But you see, everyone has a point at which they just can't take it anymore and I think I've found mine. If I'm going to get better, I need to take some time off and focus on relaxation and refreshing my mind and body while getting more exercise and eating better. It would be so much less stressful not to have to worry about college just for a little while. 6 months to a year off would do me good if it meant getting over a lot of what I'm dealing with physically and emotionally.

What do you think? I still want to finish my degree obviously but perhapse a little time wouldn't be a bad idea.

[ICNDonna]

I think it would be a good idea to discuss this with your physician who is treating your IC. If you have physician support it will make it easier to deal with the university. I know it's a tough decision to make.

Warm hugs,
Donna

[Mothergoose]

You need to read everything your school has printed about med WD and consequences down the road. My daughter thought about it but then it goes in your long term record which other's can get at.

MG

[snow_melt]

Hi Godsgirl -

I took a semester off last fall and although I needed a doctor's note, I didn't need to specify what my condition was. I kept it general as a 'chronic pain condition' and told my doctor what to say in the letter. The time was very valuable to me as it really allowed me time for healing, doctor's appointments, yoga, physical therapy, and studying Spanish. (I didn't want to waste my time.) The university was easy to work with, and everything went smoothly. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a break. (I kept my scholarship, too.)

My one regret was the struggle I had going back. It was only one semester, but it was tough. All my symptoms that I had under control over the semester off flared as soon as I hit the stresses of school. I am still under stress and still flaring, unfortunately.

I hope this helps - let me know if you have any more questions. :)

[sonjalynne]

Godsgirl,
I work as a counselor at a college and I am somewhat familiar with this process at our school. It does show up on your transcript forever, but likely not in a punitive way. Most schools are happy to accommodate an ill student who otherwise would have been successful and productive. Go see your uro (and a psych, if they are free on your campus like mine) and make sure they are on your side and willing to "go to batt" for you if need be.

Best of luck!!
Sonja

[MischaLG]

Godsgirl,
It's funny how you mention that you feel like Job. I am a believer and was just talking about how I feel just like him with my mother two days ago! You are 100% not alone! I am in school for nursing and have recently had to drop some of my classes due to this constant pain. I just can't take the stress and pain anymore with this illness.

I wanted to send a message your way saying that I am praying for you, I know God will get us through this. It says in James 5:10-11 "My friends, remember the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Take them as examples of patient endurance under suffering. We call them happy because they endured. You have heard of Job's patience, and you know how the Lord provided for him in the end. For the Lord is full of mercy and compassion." Don't for a minute feel like you're alone in this, or that putting school off is a mistake. God knows your heart, He knows your pain, and everything happens on His time. He will only give you as much as you can handle, and if that means that school needs to be put off for a bit, then so be it. Remember, He wants to give us the desires of our hearts if we put Him first and listen to our convictions. You had mentioned that you felt a bit convicted about starting up school because of all of the obstacles you faced just getting in...I'm not saying it was God saying no to this semester, but I will say that satan is sly and will do anything to bring us down. My advice to you would be, first and foremost, pray about all of this, and listen to your convictions. If you feel that you should put school off, and deep down know that it's the right decision, don't let the enemy make you feel guilty or like you won't succeed, because you will. Take some time, find the remedies and medications that work for you, allow your body time to heal itself, and when His timing is right, you'll go back to school, graduate before you know it, and start on your career path.

If you want to talk further, or need further prayer, feel free to message me! I hope and pray you'll be feeling better soon, and that you'll be at peace with your decision asap!

~Mischa

[Daisy Mae]

Godsgirl and Mischa it sounds like we have SO much in common. Getting through a semester is hard work when your biggest concern is getting to the bathroom!
I've been a nurse for 15 years but I'm currently working on a higher degree. It's a self-paced program I can do online in my pajamas and I can't imagine tackling having to get dressed and lug a backpack across a campus. If there is anyway possible for you to get some online classes in I highly recommend it. I remember taking on-campus classes and looking for a seat nearest the door that would allow me an easy escape.
Please consider asking to speak to a counselor who may be able to help you out. Sometimes they are aware of a lot more alternatives that can assist a student with special needs or handicaps. There are tons of resources available to you, and having a counselor behind you could be a huge plus!
Would it be possible to ask the two of you to be on my friends list? I've been on ICN for years and I don't have a single friend on my list. I've gotten so much support here and think it's the best group of people you'll ever find. I'd just like to have a couple of them on my list to check in with from time to time! : )
Please let us know how things turn out for you. I have a funny feeling the university will be willing to work with you. I will keep you in my prayers.
DonnaRenee:pray:

[angryflamingo]

Hi there,
As my own anecdotal story, I left my first school midway through my first semester of sophomore year from medical withdrawal (not IC, I didn't have it then). I would recommend withdrawing for medical reasons because you won't be learning anything and growing up properly if you are in constant pain and don't feel that your current route is correct. Also, it looks worse to have bad grades than it does to withdraw from the school for medical reasons. People are understanding and often caring about medical problems, but there is no way to garner sympathy for bad grades in the end.

I left my school, and I took two semesters off, and went to a completely different school where I feel much happier and am on the right path (I, too, felt like my place was just completely off). I have much better resources where I am - I am closer to my family and this school is much more personal, so much so that the campus doctor's office knows about my IC and cares.

Good luck :)

[alycat]

I hear your pain, I had to drop an entire semester of credits last year to deal with the pain. (I managed to keep one class only because I knew the teacher personally, and it was a Lit class, so all I had to do was keep caught up on reading. I managed a B :) )

Right now, I'm schooling online. The stress from going to college had been too much for a while, and now I'm trying to get a job from home (also had to stop working because of anxiety and pain). Maybe see if doing work from home helps with the stress; I know it helped me tons because I didn't have to worry about getting up in the middle of a lecture.

[Briza]

godsgirl
i think it is wise you are considering lowering your stress load. please do that and learn other natural ways of managing your stress before you even consider going on an anxiety medication. if you are thinking of something like xanax, klonopin, ativan, or valium to help with your anxiety please be aware that these are HIGHLY addictive drugs which can produce all kinds of paradoxical reactions and unwanted side effects with longterm use. Longterm means anything longer than 2-4 weeks, tho i know people who have gotten severely addicted/dependent with as little as 1 week of use. most doctors are either ignorant of or not explaining to their patients as to the length and severity of the possible withdrawal syndromes from these types of drugs. 6 to 18 months of often severe withdrawal symptoms can result...sometimes longer. I am speaking from personal experience. Please consider options for managing stress such as counseling, meditation, stretching, exercise, positive self-reinforcement, spiritual support, etc. These are habits which must be learned and practiced, but they are free, non addictive, have no side effects, no withdrawal syndrome and have no limit on length of use! Best of luck to you. Please make decisions for your best longterm health, not just a shortterm fix. Take care Bri