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Crohn's and College

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 10/20/2014 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I was just diagnosed last week but have had Crohn's for almost a year now. I was misdiagnosed with IBS at first and also had two rounds of cdiff. I just started my freshman year of college and things have been tough. My symptoms got really bad leading up to move in and haven't really gotten better yet. Also I moved to a school 6 hours away from my parents so I have to take care of myself. And I'm starting to have some issues with going to class. When I get a fever or my stomach is cramping I can barely function let alone go to class. Since I was just diagnosed my university and all my teachers are not aware of it. I was just wondering if anyone else had been through this same thing. All my classes have strict absence policies, do you think they will understand because of my Crohn's? I don't want to be penalized for something I can't control.
Posted 10/20/2014 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum, DisneyDork. What are you doing to treat your Crohn's?
Posted 10/20/2014 7:06 PM (GMT 0)
First thing I would do is definitely let your professors and possibly your advisor know about your diagnosis. Just email your professors, or maybe go to their office hours (may be more willing to work things out with you if they see you in person) and let them know about your disease, how your symptoms affect your ability to do work, and if there is a way you all could work around it. You may need a doctor's note, but I think most will take your word for it. Some professors may not be able to do much since that is just the way their class is set up, but it is definitely worth it to let all of them know.

Secondly, email your advisor to see what advice they may have for dealing with college and a chronic disease. She has likely seen cases before and she may be able to help you construct a timeline, or help you readjust that timeline in case unforeseen circumstances mess things up.

Make sure these people know your situation and let them know FAST. The longer you wait, the less they will be able to help you.
Posted 10/20/2014 8:02 PM (GMT 0)
You may want to talk with your college's disability office too. While the Crohn's flare-up may or may not be considered a disability, the office should be able to help you regardless.
Posted 10/21/2014 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
As tunnel mentions - Each department should have a program councillor/advisor for whatever you chose to study. I went to them when I first decided to go back (after 20 years of employment). I mentioned I had Crohn's to him, and I was worried that it may cause issue from time to time. He said "oh, that's not an issue, we have a few students in the program with this as well. When they flare, they take time off, be it a few weeks or a even a year" - shocked me a little. A lot actually.

Maybe check this route as well as the disability office. At least this way your program councillor can guide you a little. They will most likely have some decent suggestions and you can go to them when you need to.
Posted 10/21/2014 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
Hi DisneyDork. I know what cramps are like - pretty horrible even just lying in bed, let alone trying to go anywhere. I looked at your profile on this forum and it doesn't say where in the world you live. If you are lucky enough to not live in the USA, then you can readily obtain a drug called Buscopan across the counter. It's an anti-spasmatic drug.

http://www.buscopan.com/

It comes in pill and injectable form - the injectable is better for your problem. One injection (IM) will provide great relief from cramps. It does wear off after an hour or two, and it's not a cure for Crohn's. But it does offer tremendous pain relief. At times, I couldn't have survived without it. In Taiwan - where I live - single-dose ampule of Buscopan costs $1 and can be bought without prescription, along with the syringe kit for injecting it.

If you're in the USA, the near equivalent is called Levsin. It's available mainly as pills, prescription required. There is a version that can be dissolved under your tongue, which may be easier to handle if your stomach is cramped. I inquired about the injectable form of Levsin when I was in the USA over five years ago - it was insanely expensive. Only sold in 5-dose vials for (at that time) $150 - I assume that it's more expensive now. Once you open up a vial, I guess you have to use it up in a day or risk spoilage, though I'm not sure about that.
Posted 10/21/2014 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
School can be tough. Don't let yourself get too tired, too hungry,or too stressed. Your disease isn't under control. You need a local GI. I'll bet you doc at home would help you find one in your college town. The helpful folks at the student center are not specialists.
I agree that you need to talk to each professor and your advisor. If it is any comfort, my daughter made it thru--in 3 years, with 6-8 hospitalizations and ongoing feelings of fatigue. Work ahead when well, rest often, and make friends to get you notes for missed classes. Sorry you feel crappy. Work on that with your doc ASAP.
P.s. Don't know anything about the drug the previous posted mentioned, but there are good antispasmodics like Bentyl that can help with cramping.
Posted 10/21/2014 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

My son started college this year and we made an appointment with the disability office before the semester started. They looked for official documentation from Doctor or hospital confirming his crohn's diagnosis. The social worker at the hospital did a letter up for him. My son had a 504 plan in high school so we took that with us to the meeting,obviously we knew things would be quiet different in college but they were very accommodating. The disability office did up letters for all of his Professors and he distributed the letters to them.

So far he has had to miss a couple of his classes due to appointments and procedures, he left Professor's know in advance and they all have been really understanding.

Good Luck to you it is really lousy timing for you to get diagnosed, hopefully with the right medications things will get under control real quick and make sure you look for help at the University. Take care!
Posted 10/21/2014 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
Another quick thought, if you're a first year, you most likely are taking a number of gen Ed classes. Usually professors that teach those have multiple offerings throughout the week, on different days and times. Perhaps you can ask the professor to allow you to sit in another class time if you miss your scheduled one due to complications. Sometimes with gen Ed classes, even different professors tech pretty much exactly the same material, do you might be able to attend one from another professor too. The bigger the class size and the less group work, the easier this would be.
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