How am I supposed to get through college like this? I keep looking at colleges and I sit here and want to cry... how am I supposed to do this? How the heck am I gonna share a room with somebody when I have to have, like, 12 hours of sleep, and for that matter, how am I gonna get the sleep I need with so much work to do and stuff? They all have community bathrooms -- I have lots of bowel problems and it is so embarassing to think about. What if I'm too ill to attend class? I'm the kind of person who NEEDS to be there to learn. What if I keep adding on new symptoms and can't do anything? What if my first couple years of college become a waste because I can't go on? Who do I talk to about all my problems at the college, and what the heck can they do for me? Fibromyalgia seems to be something that is so iffy... if I get the right person, they will understand and believe me and help me, but if I don't, then I'm sorta screwed. I really want to become a psychologist but I just don't know how I can do it. And I can't talk about not being able to live my life around here because my mom has it too and she manages very well. Obviously she doesn't have fibro HORRIBLY. But she is a hospice nurse and she works and she manages (and she doesn't HAVE to but it helps financially. My dad has a good job and could easily provide for us...we just couldn't do some extra stuff, like go out to eat a lot and on lots of vacations and stuff as often, you know...). I think that makes her think I always can too. But I can't. And all my emtional problems don't help either. And I worry so much about my future. I'm only 17, where is all the fun I'm supposed to be having? Isn't this supposed to be, like, the best time of my life or something... I need help guys, please help me.............

hi there, i will talk more later as this is quick reply. im 23, im at college at moment. im struggling in some aspects but im gonna have some tests done to see which area it is. it looks like im slightly dislexic in maths, or it might be the fibro if thats what i ha. im going through the same, hang in there. love april x

How am I supposed to get through college like this? I keep looking at colleges and I sit here and want to cry... how am I supposed to do this? How the heck am I gonna share a room with somebody when I have to have, like, 12 hours of sleep, and for that matter, how am I gonna get the sleep I need with so much work to do and stuff? They all have community bathrooms -- I have lots of bowel problems and it is so embarassing to think about. What if I'm too ill to attend class? I'm the kind of person who NEEDS to be there to learn. What if I keep adding on new symptoms and can't do anything? What if my first couple years of college become a waste because I can't go on? Who do I talk to about all my problems at the college, and what the heck can they do for me? Fibromyalgia seems to be something that is so iffy... if I get the right person, they will understand and believe me and help me, but if I don't, then I'm sorta screwed. I really want to become a psychologist but I just don't know how I can do it. And I can't talk about not being able to live my life around here because my mom has it too and she manages very well. Obviously she doesn't have fibro HORRIBLY. But she is a hospice nurse and she works and she manages (and she doesn't HAVE to but it helps financially. My dad has a good job and could easily provide for us...we just couldn't do some extra stuff, like go out to eat a lot and on lots of vacations and stuff as often, you know...). I think that makes her think I always can too. But I can't. And all my emtional problems don't help either. And I worry so much about my future. I'm only 17, where is all the fun I'm supposed to be having? Isn't this supposed to be, like, the best time of my life or something... I need help guys, please help me.............


GodsGirl,

Honey, you are stressing yourself out way too much!! I understand that you are worrying about everything, but, you need to let it go and let God! Everything else will fall into place. Have you considered going to college part time at first, to get your bearings and figure out what you can and can't handle? Then decide if you are capable of going full time or not. You can still get a degree, it may take a little longer, but it will happen.

Fibro is different for every person. Just because your mother has it doesn't mean that you are going to have the exact same case of Fibro. I'm sure that if you sit down with her and ask questions about how she handles it so well, you may find that she hasn't always felt so great! Fibro is totally different for everyone.

College counselors are there for a reason. They are there to help out students any way they can. Utilize those people. There are so many things out there now about Fibro, unlike years ago when I was diagnosed. Also, check around your area and see if there are any support groups for Fibromyalgia, it would help you to talk with others your age to see how they cope.

Good luck,

a :)

Girly! its going to be ok:) I had the EXACT same fears as you. I thought I had to do college just like everyone else, or it wasnt college. You just have to moderate, and individualize your situation. Myself, am a freshman in college, staying in the dorms. I chose a college with apartment dorms ( so I have my own room) and I'm only taking 9 hours, which basically means 3 classes. Its really hard sometimes, but its definitely do-able. You can also apply for disability at whichever university/college you apply to. Chin up! There is a light at the end of the tunnel, you just have to open your eyes to see it:)

Is it possible to apply for special housing or conditions to accomodate your disability? I very very much empathize with your concerns for a private bathroom, I suffer a great deal in that dept as well, and am always dealing with that concern. If your Dr is willing to support you, could you find out if there is special housing for you? All you can do is your best, it may be surprising what it is! Is there a service to help match you up with suitable roommates? Maybe your Mom thinks by insisting you can manage as well as she is her hope that you can overcome your challenges. Mothers do truly always mean well, even if they don't do well. Maybe the next time she makes you feel like you should pull up your socks and get moving like her, you could reply that you hope someday to have your FMS symptoms as well managable as heres, in a kind way I mean, but that at this stage of your disease, it is very restictive, kind of like how some people with lupus can lead seemingly normal lives ( I have such a friend ), yet others are wheelchair ridden, because everyones symptoms and levels are not the same. I am hoping for great successes as you move on with these new paths. As a last choice, many colleges and universities now offer their courses via the internet, if this is a solution you can arrange. Best of luck.

Thanks you guys. ( I love you all and I don't even know you that well yet and you make me cry -- happy tears of course, this time (I never used to be this emotional)) I will look into these things. It's just so scary going off to college WITHOUT anything making it worse. Adding this fibro thing..ugh. It's hard, and it makes it worse when no one can SEE your sick. But, of course, that's not always a bad thing.


Non related--
Lately I have been having a lot of trouble threading sentences together. And, my sentences sometimes come out all...well, dumb sounding with words that aren't even words. It's like my brain can't put what I want to say into audible words. Sometimes I don't even know what I'm trying to think (if that makes sense...?) I just laugh it off with the people around me, but ... it's kinda scary. Anyone else have this problem?? And anything help?

You have gotten some great advice from the others. I was also going to say that you can take less classes, you don't have to go full time. You are still so young, just take it one day at a time.

I think your mom sounds wonderful!! If it were me and my mom, I would be more scared for the future if my mom were walking around moaning all the time and talking about how bad fibro will be for me. I'm sure she doesn't feel good (who does with fibro?), but for your sake and the love she has for you...she wants you to see her happy and living a good life despite having fibro. Now that's love.

Your mom is a hospice nurse....she sees many many more people w/way worse conditions than what fibro brings to the plate. This may have a lot to do w/her attitude of accepting fibro better. Another thing, helping others in time of need like your mom does w/ the hospice patients is very rewarding to the soul. I'm sure she goes in to work some days not knowing how she's going to get through the day.....but then she sees those patients who need her and that makes it all worth the pain and fatigue she faces.

Hang in there and talk w/your mom. She just might have some good advice for you. I know I was a mess mentally and physically 9 years ago. Time will give you the knowledge and the strength to go on and do the things you want in life.

And yes, I do have trouble with thinking of "easy" words I want to say. I'm very bad with this and my memory when I'm very overtired.

I wish you all the happiness in the world and sure hope you get to be a psychologist some day!! You can do it.

My daughter is a sophomore at a local community college and she has chronic fatigue syndrome with some FMS symptoms. (I have FMS & CMP) She keeps her own schedule and has worked the classes and sleep into a schedule that works for her. She goes every day instead of 2 or 3 days a week so that she only has to be there for a few hours at a time. She sleeps before and after classes. 3 days she has 3 classes beginning at 9:00. and on the other 2 days she takes one course, biology, in the afternoon. She can sleep in on those days.

She was concerned about going away to university because she had so much chest pain and fatigue; now that she is on florinef she is so much better. I know that she has some different symptoms than you, but the main thing is working the classes and studying around your symptoms and of course controlling your symptoms as much as possible.

Also, remember that fms is not necessarily progressive. Your symptoms still need further treatment and maybe in the future will be better controlled.

In regard to the brainfog, I get it too. I will have flares where it is so bad that I don't make a lick of sense. Most of the time, I cannot remember the last word of the sentence. Or I forget my point. My family is very used to this and they help me. I just say I lost my word and they find it for me. They are great. I am blessed.

Sounds like you are too. And you are going to be fine. Believe it.

Donna

I am still concerned about *HOW* I am supposed to live my life now, but DAMMIT I sure as hell have to *TRY TO LIVE!!!!!* I'm not giving up on myself!!! I will find an answer and/or a solution to my probelms!! I will find a new why to live,work,play, etc!!!

When I'm DEADER then DEAD is the day I'm gonna giveup!

Amen! *smiles*