hmmm....and only i will know (lol)

[SelenaandAj'smommy]

hey gals! my classes start in a matter of days, and i was talking with my husband of wether or not i should just excuse myself from class when i have to pee. he said "its not like you have to raise your hand and ask" lol. anyway, he sugessted on the days when i have long three hour classes, with little as 10 min. inbetween, if you dont feel you can get to a bathroom without being late, then what about getting some protective underwear to wear. I thought about this... even though im doing really well, sometimes the urge will still strike me that i have to go now! well, instead of rushing out of class, i have decided to wear the i guess depends is what they are. ive never really worn anything like this, and its not long term.... so why not. has anyone else used these? <img src="graemlins/hat.gif" border="0" alt="[hat]" />

[Mackie]

Hi Christine,

I'm in school and I go at night, so my classes are 3 hours long with a 10-15 min break at the halfway point. I am not a candidate for depends, as my mother toilet trained me too darn well! I can't go anywhere but on a toilet! Anyway, at my university there is a department that deals with students with learning and physical disabilities. I fill out a paper every semester and they write a letter to my professor/s explaining that I am allowed certain accommodations such as, preferential seating (near the door, so as not to disrupt others if I need to get up),periodic breaks from class (if I need it), etc...I just had to provide the school with a letter from my doctor explaining my situation when I first contacted the department. Once it's all on file I just fill out paperwork for the classes I'm taking. They do expect us to speak to the professor personally as well, which I've never had a problem with. Anyway, you might want to look into it. Let us know how you make out.

Good luck,
Mackie

[NB]

Hi, i'm in my second year in college and i remember quite a few days where i was sitting in the middle of class holding it in as long as i could because i didn't want to embarrass myself from getting up again.
The Depends sounds like a good idea because it can be distracting to get up multiple times in class and miss part of the lecture.
But if it were me, i would follow Mackie's advice and just let the instructor know so there are no questions asked later about why i leave class so often. I would rather have things accomodated FOR me instead of peeing in a diaper in the middle of class. I don't think i could do it anyway. I had a voiding test once and they wanted me to pee on a table (and were getting rather annoyed that i couldn't) and there was no way it was gonna come out unless i was over a toilet.
Are you on any meds like Detrol or Hyscoscamine? They can be helpful in reducing bladder spasms and frequency. I just started using them for a week now and i find myself spending less time in the bathroom. YEA!!! Good luck with you classes!!!!! <img src="graemlins/hi.gif" border="0" alt="[hi]" />

[Alexa]

Dear Christine,

I've never used them, but hopefully someone else can comment on it! [img]smile.gif[/img]

Mackie made a great suggestion about checking out the Disability Resource Centre at your school. It might be under a different name, but definitely see what types of accommodations they can make for your situation. I registered with them shortly after I was dignosed with IC, and they provided a lot of support and help for me throughout my time at university.

Good luck!

Hugs,
Alexa [img]smile.gif[/img]

[SelenaandAj'smommy]

Thanks girls, for replying. I think i will look into this. my classes start o thursday. and they are the two looons ones. <img src="graemlins/blink.gif" border="0" alt="[blink]" /> so im heading over to student services to see if they have anything like what you all described. thanks!!

[SelenaandAj'smommy]

I am Boo- hoo ing as i speak, but more like disappointed. I talked with the student services, and they said that they really dont have any programs except the student alliance program for disabled students, and that is like a mentor program according to my advisor. The campus here does not offer things like some of you sugested, but thats ok. i guess its back to my original idea. <img src="graemlins/banghead.gif" border="0" alt="[banghead]" />

[MelanieJ]

{{{{Christine}}}}
I'm very surprised to hear your college doesn't have a disabilities office. I attended Ohio State, which had a special office. Now, I work at a local business university and they have a person assigned to disability services as well. Hmmm...well, I can tell you that while I attended college, I told each of my profs about my medical condition so they knew up front that I might need to step out at various times to use the bathroom, miss class or be late due to a flare and need to rescheduling testing. I never had one person give me a hard time about it. I'd really encourage you to try this angle. This should definitely NOT be a worry on your mind! We cannot help our illness and they must accommodate us.

Let us know how it goes! Good luck!
Melanie J.

[Cawaggi]

I am also very surprised! Isn't IDEA a federal program? If your college receives federal funding of any kind, I am almost certain you would be covered under IDEA. I think I have this right, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but a public college should cover a disability. I'm not so sure about a private college. Is there anyone else at the college you can talk to? Do they realize that this is classified as a disability?

[vm]

Most states (maybe all) have disability advocacy agencies. Someone there would probably be able to help answer your question. Many times you hear about them in connection with people with mental retardation, so you might find them that way. But they have info. on accommodations, etc.

[Mackie]

Christine,

Go back (or call) and ask them who handles accommodations for deaf students, for example. Someone would be in charge of acquiring and paying the interpreters, as it's not the student's responsibility to do so. I work in a deaf school, so I'm using this as an example. Whoever that person would be is the same person who would handle accommodations for you. I mean, it's not like they have to do anything except write a letter to your professor saying that you are entitled to preferential seating, periodic breaks, etc...There's GOT to be someone! Get back to me about this...I wanna know what happens!

Good luck!
Mackie

[redstonebef]

When I started college for the first time at age 41 I was not shy about going to my Prof. and explaining my illnesses IC and Seizures. They were very nice and I was allowed to get up anytime and go to the bathroom. I sit very close to the door and was as quiet as possible. And when I had to miss tests because of flares they allowed me to make them up. I would try this approach. I bet you will be surprised at the compassion in people. I hope this helps. Hugs

redstonebef

[Alexa]

Dear Christine,

I think everyone has given you some great advice! Keep investigating and asking questions, because there should be something out there, especially if they are receiving federal funding for it!

It's also not a bad idea to approach your professors directly and explain your situation. All of the profs that I approached this way, either before or on the first day of classes, were very sympathetic and understanding. One even said she has chronic bladder infections so she totally understood!

Good luck and keep us updated [img]smile.gif[/img] [img]smile.gif[/img]

Lots of hugs,
Alexa [img]smile.gif[/img]