I may have to drop out I have to go the bathroom so much

[ame]

6 times a hour and getting worse.
I am scared and mad as hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[ldwall]

Ame, I am a college student (and mother of three, yes I am nuts, I am sure of it after today) and I am a senior. I did the traditional college my first year and had problems because of unidagnoised IC. I had some classes that I was not allowed to leave under any circumstances, and I had to just wait. Others where I could go when I wanted to, but was never able to just fall back into the lecture. My personal favorites, a class I would normally have trouble in, and I was up a lot to pee, the prof would tell me I had a low commitment to the class. You are a lucky girl, you know what is wrong, so therefore you have options.

Look for your schools disablity department. There is someone that ensures that your school makes appropriate accomidation for those with diseases or disablities. Tell them of your situation and see if you can find accomidation, like being able to tape record lectures, or a note taker,,,,,,,I am not sure what they will do, but ask.

I have done my last three years of college has been done mostly online, I have a collge program that allows me to do most all of my work online. This might be an option for you if you find your college wont work with you. Start with the University of Maryland Universtity Colleges, they have the most majors available. All totally online.

Hope I have helped. Lisa

[liz2]

Get your doctor to document your illness and to indicate what your needs are and what it would take for you to effectively learn in class.

A note taker might be called for, and your doctor can request that, thus you don't miss anything when you have to go to the bathroom. The doctor can even specify that you must sit by the door so that you can leave quickly to go to the bathroom.

There can even be bathroom breaks and extra time built into your test taking, if your doctor so indicates. The key is having your doctor do the needed paperwork. Then, take this material to the college office that handles students disabilities. [Believe me IC is a disability.] They may have paper work of their own that he/she must fill out.

I can guarantee that if your doctor correctly does his paper work job, and the disability accommodation is approved, the disability office will send out material to each professor whose class you are in. That form indicates what accommodations have to be made in order for you to learn. If the professor does not comply, he/she can be disciplined and brought up on charges for failing to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

As a professor of many years, I have been to workshops that emphasize compliance or else. . . . Now days most universities require that a professor's syllabus contain a statement about a disabled student's right to accommodations. However, the first day of class, a student must notify his/her professor that a special accommodation form is forth coming from the appropriate university office.

[Alisha]

Ame,
I understand your frustration. I was diagnosed at the age of 20. It was towards the end of my sophomore year of college and I had to withdrawl because I just couldn't take sitting through classes and trying to concentrate. I took a semester off to try and get my symptoms under control. I am now starting back slow by taking 1 online course. My symptoms are much better that when I started and I owe it to relaxing, getting rid of the stress, and my Marcaine/Heparin instills. I am no means completely better.....but I can finally say that I DO HAVE GOOD DAYS!!! I suffered for a year before I got to the point I am at now. I cried every night just like you are now. I felt helpless, and mad because I couldn't be normal and do anything college students did. I missed out on football games, parties, classes, or basically anything that required leaving my apmt. I totally feel your pain and I promise you from the bottom of my heart that you will find something that will help you feel better. It will take some trial and error and waiting, but there are many options out there for you. If you have any questions or just want to talk I am always here. E-mail me at [email protected]

Hugs,
Alisha

[chantal nicole]

Hello Ame,

I also agree with the other posts. I'm still trying to get through school and remember that you have a right to education. I guess it's different depending on the university but all I had to do is get a letter from my doc that stated that my condition require accommodation in my educational setting. All the accommodations were arranged through the disability officer. It has been working out well and he knows so much more about ways I can be accommodated than my docs. Because I go to such a small school, my profs know me well and I even decided to tell them about my IC but don't feel you have to because you don't. If you feel comfortable with it, it may help. Most of my profs were and are very understanding. Online courses and correspondence courses can also make studying much easier if they are offered in your program. I'm also doing my courses part-time instead of getting overwhelmed, I know i'm much more prone to burn-out so i have to take the time to rest and take care of myself.

Good luck and fight for your right to education (and all the other ones too)!

[liisa]

ame,

Getting through high school, college or university is very challenging with IC. People tell us it's supposed to be the best time of our lives... I guess they haven't heard our stories. What I can say is that the struggle is worth it, you are worth it. It may take you extra time to get through school (it's taking me longer that's for sure), but don't feel bad about it! Many have given up before you, learn from them and fight for your right to equal education. What services are available to you highly depend on your college and the program you are in. I know that the school that chantal goes to has a special needs office that really does its best, but ends up fighting with some departments more than others. I am in a program where class attendance is really necessacary for productive learning... I'm taking a semester off to try to piece my life together.

Ame, just remember, this is worth the fight. My counsellor at the centre for students with disabilities reminds me every time I see here that another degree for me means that I can pick and choose my employment, that I can set the rules. Your committment to your college degree will benefit you, and you more than deserve it!

Just remember, to slow down or to take a break is not a failure. I look at people like Lisa and say "wow", students with kids are truly tremendous people. I am sure there are times where she has had to make concesssions not because of her IC, but because she is a mother first. For many of us it is a winding road through our education, but there's a lot to see and learn on that road.

Sending lots of encouragement,
Liisa

[Alexa]

Dear Ame, (I also posted a response to your other message on the 20s board, I hope you get a chance to see it too.)
I'm in university as well, so I can definitely empathize with your situation. I'm sorry you're going through this all right now, and you definitely have all of our support right now.
One thing that's really helped me throughout my college years (I'm on my 2nd degree now), is an organization called the Disability Resource Centre (DRC) at my university. I'm not sure if it's under the same name at your college, but I believe there has to be some sort of disability services available at every college, so it may be under a slightly different name, but it should be on campus somewhere. They helped me a lot in terms of making academic concessions and providing support. For example, they let me take my exams at an alternate location, right beside the washroom and gave me extra time to take into account my potty breaks. Also they provided a notetaker to attend my classes if I was too sick, and I had a tutor to help me with some of my more challenging courses. I really encourage you to seek this type of organization out at your college and see what type of accomodations they can make for you. If you have more questions please feel free to email me at [email protected]
Take care and good luck! We're here for you.
Hugs,
Alexa

[shell]

Everyone else is right, find the office at your college that handles disabilities so that they can help you with the accommodations you need for your classes. Your student handbook or catalog should list what office or person you need to contact.

Colleges and universities are required to provide these services, but it's up to the student to request them. Because of concerns about discrimination, staff and faculty are not allowed to assume or ask if a student needs accommodations until the student asks for them. And the staff and faculty do want to help their students succeed.

[I'm jenna]

I'm working twords my masters and was suspended 2 times for poor grades due to ic now that I am back here are some tips I use
1.short classes!!!! 3 hour classes are hel
2.talk with your profrssor befor the first class if possable if not soon after. make an appointment and bring lit. on ic and a note from your Dr. Explan to him or her how much you want to do well and how hard it is for you. I have even had professors offer me copies of their
notes!
3. tape recored classes so you can hear what was said during the time you are in the bathroom
4. sit by the door!!!
5. if you have to miss a class E-mail and give a detailed description of why
6. call befor the class if you have an exam
7. this may be gross but at times of extreem symptoms I wore adult bladder control pads and used them insted of getting up every 5min
8.start out each school day with a nice glass of backing soda and water.

[Nori]

Hi Chantal! You sound like you are coping well with both ic and your education. I am 41 and I have ic, you and I do not live far from each other. I live in Garson. My e-mail is [email protected]. Hope to hear from you and keep up the good work. Norinne.

[rnewman]

I just wanted to say dont give up!!!!


I am a senior nursing student and I just took my GREs to apply to graduate school. That was hell--sitting for a test, I didnt sign up and declare that i had a disability so I couldnt get them to let me get up and pee whenever and it was a whole big ordeal...but I did it and now its over. Dont let one problem stand in the way. I know its huge, and it takes time to conquer it and understand it....(I havent even TRIED the diet yet because i havent had time to pay attention to it! Nursing school is enough........) but if you have a goal thats more important. You will feel good when you get through it- even one semester through. I agree with all of the other posts, my only other advice would be to really look into EVERYTHING your campus has to offer. I go to a somewhat big school, so its difficult to know everything there is, but that is so helpful....sometimes there are coping groups, and even if its for something else it could be helpful (and a way to meet people...) check out your disabilty services, your learning disability services, hell I would even go to your school of nursing if your school has one and see if anyone wants to study you lol- ok maybe a bit extreme but what Im saying is leave no stone unturned...even if there isnt anything for you, be that one, start a support group for people with learning disabilities or petition for better food or something....let you voice be heard. It will give you something to do, you will meet people, and Im sure it will help live with interstitial cystitis. Good luck and tons of support
Rachel -UMass school of nursing