What's it Like Being a Student with Chronic Pain?

Being in pain isn't fun.  When you're young, you get days off school.  That may look fun when it's not you, but you miss quite a lot.  And when you get back after having a week or so off, everyone asks you where you've been.  It gets annoying fast.  But that's secondary school for you.  My mum was always worried that social services would get called because I was always ill.  I think the only fun thing about being ill at school was having a pass that allowed me to leave lessons 5 minutes early with a friend to assist me before break times to beat the rush of students so I wouldn't get jostled (the 'Get Out of Class Free' card as we called it).

By the time college came around, I'd learned to manage my pain and got 100% attendance, the first time since Year 1 probably (I had chronic tonsillitis so I was always off with sore throats, and then my knees and hips started off my arthritis time off in Year 2 or 3).

When looking at universities, I found the best thing to do was to talk to the disability advisor about what they could do for me and what I would have to do before I arrived, if I went to that university.  They were very happy to help, and amazing listeners.

I was advised to apply for D.S.A. (Disabled Students' Allowance) on the grounds of my arthritis.  I have to say that it has helped greatly knowing I had note takers available if I was unable to go to a lecture, and having timed breaks and extra time during an exam.  I did receive timed breaks and extra time during my A Levels too, as was decided before I arrived at college.  I had monthly meetings with the disability advisor at college, and similar meetings with my disability advisor at university.

My university tutors all know who I am.  I notice that they look out for me whenever I walk into a lecture theatre.

It is difficult always being in pain.  Though my friends look out for me, they do not understand my pain.  They do try.  Some days I look fine, though not so much on the inside.  I walk slower than the rest of my friends, and I always feel like I am being left behind.  My boyfriend usually slows down and waits for me while the rest continue on, but not always.  Some days I do look ill; pale, dark circles under my eyes, even the way my voice sounds and how I walk.  My mum says I waddle like a pregnant duck (thanks mother).

It's been nearly a year since I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease.  The first few months before I was diagnosed were absolutely terrible.  Luckily my education wasn't affected by this as it happened during my Placement Year.  I was extremely worried that I would lose my place, but luckily I did not.  It has, however, worried me about any future jobs I may acquire.

Pills, pills galore.  I was taking 1000mg of ibuprofen three times a day every day during secondary school.  I was allowed to visit the nurse to take them whenever I needed them, or if I just needed a break.  I dread to think what that might have done to me.  Then, when I first saw my rheumatologist, I was put on all sorts of medication.  Methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine sulphate and azathioprine are a few that I have taken in my teenage years.  Those ones have truly terrified me.  My overnight bag that I take when I visit my boyfriend sounds like a baby's rattle with all the pills I have to take.

So, to answer the question of the title of this post, it is very difficult being a student with chronic pain.  You have to keep on top of your lessons/lectures when you are not there to receive the education in person (one teacher even went as far as thinking that I was skipping his classes).  Some teachers (head of house/year, your tutor etc.) really do want to help you, and it's these teachers that you've got to tell what's going on in your life and if you're falling behind.  You have to recognise who to ask for help: teachers, parents, friends.  Never be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help.  People may expect a certain amount from you, especially if you have shown that you can do extraordinary things on your good days.  I'm not saying to not always be extraordinary, but just be careful because they will end up expecting that when you are not so good (especially if you have hidden illnesses like myself; I would nearly always look well when I wasn't).

Don't let your pain rule you.  I have always tried to soldier through my pain, and it will occasionally come to bite me in the bottom.  The one thing I will always do is get out of bed; it's so easy to just stay in bed because it hurts to move, but once you get moving, things get better.  The world is going to continue without you if you just stay in bed, so go out there and enjoy yourself.  You may not be able to do much, and don't over-do it either or else the next day is going to be even harder, but try and do at least one thing each day (other than get out of bed).  Call your friends, or meet up with them.  Go to the park.  Give your grandparents/parents a hug.  Do anything that will get you out of bed.  It helps.

Wednesday Wonderings: Manic Drivers

Every Tuesday is pretty much the same for me after work:

• I get a lift home from work
• I do my weekly shopping
• I get a battered sausage and chips from the local chippy (the owners know me pretty well now :) )
• I walk back to mine, enjoy my dinner then race to belly dancing

I recently started learning how to drive.  I know, I'm a bit late but I've always been a bit worried that my arthritis would stop me.  I've always been wary of other people on the road, as a passenger, driver or pedestrian.  But when you cross the road on a zebra crossing, you (as a pedestrian) have right of way.  Everybody knows that.  But this maniac nearly ran me over while I was half way across the road.  They swerved round me, thankfully, or else I'd probably be in hospital now instead of writing this post.

There are so many dangerous drivers out there.  Two of my dad's colleagues, about 5 years ago, got run over on a zebra crossing, a hit and run job.  They both needed time off and one ended up in hospital with a broken hip.  People need to remember their highway code.

Something I've noticed while driving is that people drive way too close to other cars.  My first time on a dual-carriage way, someone decided it would be a good idea to drive so close I couldn't even see their headlights.  I really felt like braking and teaching them a lesson, but it wasn't my car and my driving instructor would probably have gotten in trouble for it.  When my dad drove me back to Loughborough on Sunday, people on the motorway really annoyed me.  There'd be plenty of room between two cars, or just about enough room for braking, and then a 'clever' car would nip into that space.  Does that driver not realise that he's not only taken away the person behind's braking time-space, but also he's not got one either?  If the car in front brakes or slows down dramatically, he's just cost probably not only his life/car, but the person behind him too.

I love how I've only just started driving, but I already have passive-aggressive road rage :)