Chronic disease?

[Koala 33]

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Is anyone here (who has a chronic disease) afraid that their disease/disorder is going to interfere with how they practice medicine? And if so, how you plan on working around it, or have you worked around it already?

I was just diagnosed with a chronic digestive disorder that has managed to throw my life into disorder for the time being, and I'm just curious as to what others think. Please don't sugarcoat things either - I'm just looking for honest rational responses.

 

[ryno]

I had/have a very rare chonic disease that really messed me up in highschool (over 100 absences) and had to take the year off between highschool and college to have surgery that "fixed" the disease. I still have it, but with no effects really. I have heard that med schools can be afraid of this kind of thing (like if your syptoms recurr you might have to drop out etc.). I think the best thing to do is to find a way to use it to your advantage while applying to med school with the above in mind. Honestly, we have to realize it wont make practicing easier. Exept maybe your can sympothize more with your pt's. The main thing is to identify how you make this as minor an inconvience as it can be.

 

[Koala 33]

I had/have a very rare chonic disease that really messed me up in highschool (over 100 absences) and had to take the year off between highschool and college to have surgery that "fixed" the disease. I still have it, but with no effects really. I have heard that med schools can be afraid of this kind of thing (like if your syptoms recurr you might have to drop out etc.). I think the best thing to do is to find a way to use it to your advantage while applying to med school with the above in mind. Honestly, we have to realize it wont make practicing easier. Exept maybe your can sympothize more with your pt's. The main thing is to identify how you make this as minor an inconvience as it can be.

Do we have to make medical schools privy to this kind of information? It would seem stupid if they could discriminate outright against applicants because of disease.

 

[Dienekes]

No, you don't have to (at least to my knowledge).

 

[ryno]

I wouldn't think so. If I thought it might keep me out of med school in any way, then I dont think I would tell them; unless the spefically ask, in that case I might feel more obligated to voice my situation. This does not mean I still would though, its my opinion that it's not my fault I have this disorder, and it should not hold me back.

 

[Dienekes]

unless the spefically ask, in that case I might feel more obligated to voice my situation.

'Might' being the operative word. Unless I am LEGALLY obligated to disclose things that will put me at a disadvantage, you can forget me saying it. Moral obligation means nothing.

 

[ryno]

^my point exactly

 

[jdf46]

I was just diagnosed with celiac disease, also a chronic digestive disorder (you too?). All this means is that I can't eat stuff with gluten in it. Kinda sucks, but wouldn't affect my career in any way except that I'd have to pack a lunch.

 

[IUgrad]

Hi, Koala,

I have Crohn's disease, and I have been very open about it on my apps. I even wrote a little about it in my personal statement, as it was one of the factors that led me into medicine. It was only brought up during one of my interviews and not in a negative way, just they just wanted to know how I cope when I am sick (and, for what it's worth, I was accepted to this school, so they didn't use it against me). For my so-so numbers, I think I have had pretty good success so far -- five interviews. Of the three that I attended, I have been accepted to two so far. I don't think it hurt me at all to disclose this information.

For your question about coping with it while being a doctor, that is something that worried me a lot, too, when I was first diagnosed. The best advice that I have for you is that you should work with your doctor to find a maintenance plan that works for you. You might not figure it out right away (it took me about a year to get my disease under control), but you will. Once you get your disease well-managed, things will be a lot easier and feel more "normal." And, yes, there is always that uncertainty of whether you may get sick during medical school, residency or practice, but I think that the strategy is to have a plan to deal with the difficult days and just keep living your life. That's all you can do. None of us know what the future will hold, so I don't think you should base your decisions on whether you might be sick tomorrow. There are so many things that might happen tomorrow that are out of you control, so the sooner you learn to "roll with the punches," the better. At least, that has been my experience and that of my friends with chronic illnesses.

If you have other questions or want to talk about it some more in private, feel free to PM me. I'd be happy to share my experiences with you or give you advice on your situation.

Good luck!

 

[Koala 33]

I was just diagnosed with celiac disease, also a chronic digestive disorder (you too?). All this means is that I can't eat stuff with gluten in it. Kinda sucks, but wouldn't affect my career in any way except that I'd have to pack a lunch.

I was just diagnosed with gastroparesis ... it's not something really seen in people in their early 20's, and its cause is unknown and will be unknown until I at least get more testing done. I'm just concerned (especially about internship and residency) because I have to eat 5 small (and for now, very bland) meals per day since my stomach takes more than 5 hours to empty. It's controllable now, but it could get worse and then I'd be in trouble. My doctor knows about my intentions to go to medical school, and (although I just found out about this last week) he has yet to try to encourage me to try another career path.

 

[Koala 33]

Hi, Koala,

I have Crohn's disease, and I have been very open about it on my apps. I even wrote a little about it in my personal statement, as it was one of the factors that led me into medicine. It was only brought up during one of my interviews and not in a negative way, just they just wanted to know how I cope when I am sick (and, for what it's worth, I was accepted to this school, so they didn't use it against me). For my so-so numbers, I think I have had pretty good success so far -- five interviews. Of the three that I attended, I have been accepted to two so far. I don't think it hurt me at all to disclose this information.

For your question about coping with it while being a doctor, that is something that worried me a lot, too, when I was first diagnosed. The best advice that I have for you is that you should work with your doctor to find a maintenance plan that works for you. You might not figure it out right away (it took me about a year to get my disease under control), but you will. Once you get your disease well-managed, things will be a lot easier and feel more "normal." And, yes, there is always that uncertainty of whether you may get sick during medical school, residency or practice, but I think that the strategy is to have a plan to deal with the difficult days and just keep living your life. That's all you can do. None of us know what the future will hold, so I don't think you should base your decisions on whether you might be sick tomorrow. There are so many things that might happen tomorrow that are out of you control, so the sooner you learn to "roll with the punches," the better. At least, that has been my experience and that of my friends with chronic illnesses.

I was hoping to get a response like this 🙂. I'm sorry you have to deal with Crohn's - that was one of the conditions that they thought I had, but they ruled it out. It sounds like everything's working out for you so far though!

 

[PeepshowJohnny]

I was just diagnosed with gastroparesis ... it's not something really seen in people in their early 20's, and its cause is unknown and will be unknown until I at least get more testing done. I'm just concerned (especially about internship and residency) because I have to eat 5 small (and for now, very bland) meals per day since my stomach takes more than 5 hours to empty. It's controllable now, but it could get worse and then I'd be in trouble. My doctor knows about my intentions to go to medical school, and (although I just found out about this last week) he has yet to try to encourage me to try another career path.

Oh man, gastroparesis isn't fun. Especially since it's idiopathic. Hopefully they can get you helped with some promotility agents.

That said, I'd mention it. I know many people who have written about their own experience with disease in their personal statements and how it led them to medicine. I think if it's written honestly and sincerely the admission comittees tend to love it.

 

[Law2Doc]

Do we have to make medical schools privy to this kind of information? It would seem stupid if they could discriminate outright against applicants because of disease.

There are schools that will ask point blank in their applications if you have any medical conditions that would preclude you from performing various enumerated medical tasks. They aren't doing this to be mean, there are simply parts of med school that might be an impossibility for folks with certain illnesses unless the school intends to make accomodations. The worst thing that could happen is that you might get through the first two classroom years, and be $60k in the hole, only to find that you cannot manage the schedule or tasks required in third year rotations. So some schools do you a favor and may ask you up front.

Some schools have made significant accomodations. A blind person was enabled to get through med school thanks to accomodation. There have been a number of wheelchair bound med students. As other posters have mentioned, there have been folks who have gone through med school with celiac sprue and crohns. Research what is involved in later med school and residency and decide for yourself whether this is something you can manage in your condition. Then if the school asks, (many won't) be honest.

 

[redheadmed]

I was upfront about my chronic disease from the start knowing that there was no way I could hide it even if I wanted to. I wrote about it in my personal statement and was admitted to medical school. During an interview, the interviewer asked to take a look at my hands and asked me a bit about getting around, but only for the reasons stated in above posts. You have to be able to fulfill the schools technical standards (with or without accomodation) which are listed on their website. I have juvenile rheumatoid arthritis which is physically limiting, but am certain I will find ways to work around it because no matter what profession I chose, the disability would be an issue one way or another, so you might as well shoot for the stars and do what you are passionate about. Good luck all!

 

[futuredrcrawfor]

Im a junior in college now and just got diagnosed with a chronic disease in Aug. It has thrown my life for a loop mainly cuz it causes extreme fatigue and hormone troubles. Once the meds start to kick in I should be fine though. I talked to my doctor about my plans for medicine and he said it shouldn't stop me but I should write about it in my PS because the fact I dealt with the disease and made a decent GPA (3.65 overall 3.45 BCPM) while having the condition, working part time, and volunteering is impressive. Hopefully med schools will view it the same way.

 

[doinmybest5840]

There are schools that will ask point blank in their applications if you have any medical conditions that would preclude you from performing various enumerated medical tasks. They aren't doing this to be mean, there are simply parts of med school that might be an impossibility for folks with certain illnesses unless the school intends to make accomodations. The worst thing that could happen is that you might get through the first two classroom years, and be $60k in the hole, only to find that you cannot manage the schedule or tasks required in third year rotations. So some schools do you a favor and may ask you up front.

Some schools have made significant accomodations. A blind person was enabled to get through med school thanks to accomodation. There have been a number of wheelchair bound med students. As other posters have mentioned, there have been folks who have gone through med school with celiac sprue and crohns. Research what is involved in later med school and residency and decide for yourself whether this is something you can manage in your condition. Then if the school asks, (many won't) be honest.

Okay, honestly, how did a blind person get through medical school? I don't mean this to be offensive, I am really just curious. I can understand how they'd get through the pre-clinical years, and even through some physical examinations, but surgery? Invasive procedures such as pap smears or... whatever it's called (I'm blanking) when you check the anal region? That just seems like it would be very difficult to do without sight.

 

[Bacchus]

Remember that accomodations can be made. However, you will sign a technical standards agreement when you matriculate. I don't believe any technical standards agreements mention anything about chronic disease but make sure you look into it. Also, you will need a physical to matriculate. I'm sure you will have to disclose information on the forms of the physical or at least your physician will about your disease.

 

[Flopotomist]

Also, you will need a physical to matriculate. I'm sure you will have to disclose information on the forms of the physical or at least your physician will about your disease.

Uhm - no you don't need a physical to matriculate everywhere (I have never heard of that actually, we certainly didn't need one where I matriculated)

 

[Bacchus]

Uhm - no you don't need a physical to matriculate everywhere (I have never heard of that actually, we certainly didn't need one where I matriculated)

I thought I saw somewhere around here a while back that you had to. I guess the assumption of needing one for UG is not reflective of med school. This is what I read: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=415968&highlight=physical

 

[thoffen]

Wow. Interesting topic. Right now I'm going through some severe GI issues with diagnosis yet unknown. It started around the time I got mono almost a year go which has given me fatigue to this day.

Until I get a proper diagnosis, I'm sort of in limbo. Applications are complete and I'm starting to receive interview invites. Meanwhile, my health is a big question mark. I'm glad that I'm not the only one weighing these questions. I plan to be up front with med schools, but right now there's nothing I can say for sure. Does anyone have any advice for me?

 

[Koala 33]

Wow. Interesting topic. Right now I'm going through some severe GI issues with diagnosis yet unknown. It started around the time I got mono almost a year go which has given me fatigue to this day.

Until I get a proper diagnosis, I'm sort of in limbo. Applications are complete and I'm starting to receive interview invites. Meanwhile, my health is a big question mark. I'm glad that I'm not the only one weighing these questions. I plan to be up front with med schools, but right now there's nothing I can say for sure. Does anyone have any advice for me?

Don't wait until it becomes a severe problem like I did ... I spent 4 days in the hospital last week, missing 2 lab practicals, a quiz, and bunch of exam review for this week until I was finally diagnosed with my problem and sent on my merry way.

 

[thoffen]

Don't wait until it becomes a severe problem like I did ... I spent 4 days in the hospital last week, missing 2 lab practicals, a quiz, and bunch of exam review for this week until I was finally diagnosed with my problem and sent on my merry way.

Thanks. I'm seeing a new gastroenterologist and getting some new tests, so hopefully that will prove fruitful. Unfortunately, unless you're in need of urgent care it can take several months between tests and appointments until you get hold of something. Thankfully I'm not in school now, and work is very understanding of my present situation.

 

[JaggerPlate]

It would be my guess ... that unless this disease had a good chance of being passed on to a patient, say in a surgery for example - like in an accidental cut of yourself, then it really shouldn't be something that they would/should discrimnate about. If you have something a like Hep B or HIV, it's probably something that you need to be careful about passing onto patients (I know the odds are unreal, but it could happen - in which case the 'do no harm' thing kinda flies out the window). You wouldn't want to attend four years of med school + residency just to find out you aren't going to be able to practice. However, OP your illness seems like something that a. would not affect your ability to be a practicing doctor and b. not be anything that would limit your contact with patients.

I would just like to say that I think everyone here who has an illiness is very brave for continuing to follow their dreams, and will be able to use their experiences to become very caring and confident doctors👍

 

[doinmybest5840]

I don't have any advice or personal stories to relate, but I just wanted to say good luck, OP. I thought I had some sort of gastro disorder freshman year, but it turned out that I was just eating too much crap (picky eater... only ate salads, french fries, and fast food for pretty much a semester. not a good idea.).

 

[trifry]

I was upfront about my chronic disease from the start knowing that there was no way I could hide it even if I wanted to. I wrote about it in my personal statement and was admitted to medical school. During an interview, the interviewer asked to take a look at my hands and asked me a bit about getting around, but only for the reasons stated in above posts. You have to be able to fulfill the schools technical standards (with or without accomodation) which are listed on their website. I have juvenile rheumatoid arthritis which is physically limiting, but am certain I will find ways to work around it because no matter what profession I chose, the disability would be an issue one way or another, so you might as well shoot for the stars and do what you are passionate about. Good luck all!

Hey me too! I have JRA in my knees and ankles, so standing for long periods of time can be difficult. But you can always find a way- lots of surgeons lower the operating table and sit during surgery (at least ones I've observed). I think my personal experience with chronic illness will only serve to help me in this career, and it's why I wanted to be a doctor in the first place.

 

[DadofDr2B]

Daughter has been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes for 15 years. She is in her fourth year of med school and wants to become an endocrinologist and treat diabetics, etc.

There is a question that you must answer about your ability to perform all of the functions necessary to be a doctor during the application period. An honest answer is necessary but hardly anybody comes to school with perfect everything. So, not many get ruled out for diabilities.

I was fearful my daughter would not get a fair shake but she was accepted at two schools.

You could use the disease as something you want to know all about and treat other patients with the same disease when you become a doctor. You would be the real all knowing doctor that patients would seek out.

Good luck.

 

[Hilbert137]

Hi, Koala,

I have Crohn's disease, and I have been very open about it on my apps. I even wrote a little about it in my personal statement, as it was one of the factors that led me into medicine. It was only brought up during one of my interviews and not in a negative way, just they just wanted to know how I cope when I am sick (and, for what it's worth, I was accepted to this school, so they didn't use it against me). For my so-so numbers, I think I have had pretty good success so far -- five interviews. Of the three that I attended, I have been accepted to two so far. I don't think it hurt me at all to disclose this information.

For your question about coping with it while being a doctor, that is something that worried me a lot, too, when I was first diagnosed. The best advice that I have for you is that you should work with your doctor to find a maintenance plan that works for you. You might not figure it out right away (it took me about a year to get my disease under control), but you will. Once you get your disease well-managed, things will be a lot easier and feel more "normal." And, yes, there is always that uncertainty of whether you may get sick during medical school, residency or practice, but I think that the strategy is to have a plan to deal with the difficult days and just keep living your life. That's all you can do. None of us know what the future will hold, so I don't think you should base your decisions on whether you might be sick tomorrow. There are so many things that might happen tomorrow that are out of you control, so the sooner you learn to "roll with the punches," the better. At least, that has been my experience and that of my friends with chronic illnesses.

If you have other questions or want to talk about it some more in private, feel free to PM me. I'd be happy to share my experiences with you or give you advice on your situation.

Good luck!

I'd be interested in some of your experiences so I'll give you a PM as soon as I finish this as I have crohn's too. I remember my second semester senior year of high school. I've always been kind of a science nerd and I was taking a research seminar class that year that culminated in attending a state-wide science fair (the CSEF for those who are interested). At around the same, I was developing my first signs of crohn's. Its really funny in retrospect the looks some of the judges had when they smelt something (one of my worst symptoms was a lot of gas). It was my first flare-up and besides embarrassing moments in front of science fair judges, I more significantly missed quite a bit of school. Long story short, I got it into remission and I have developed fantastic diet and work-out habits and haven't not had a flare up for a while now.

I do worry however about it sometimes because my grandma had a very unpleasant ride with crohn's spending almost 15 years in and out of a hospital with a particularly bad case and I sometimes worry that will happen to me. But hey, remicade has been working wonders so far.

 

[On3H34rT]

I have Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. I was diagnosed when I was 15-16 and am 19 now. At one time, I was treated monthly with Cytoxan via an IV for 7-8 months. It has never worried me about it hurting my chances of getting into medical school, though it sometimes makes me quesiton if I could get through the rigors of medical school. With the pain and fatigue that gets worse when I do not have adequate rest time, it will always be a burden. Although it sucks that some may have a harder time completing his or her dream (if medicine happens to be it) because of a chronic illness, it makes the moment when that person graduates ever more precious. Medicine is a tough career, and even with a chronic illness, we sign up for it. If I thought my chronic illness would keep me from being a good doctor, then I would choose a different career. This is a decision we all have to make, and I understand it can be a burden. It sucks, but that is life.

 

[eellen3]

It would be my guess ... that unless this disease had a good chance of being passed on to a patient, say in a surgery for example - like in an accidental cut of yourself, then it really shouldn't be something that they would/should discrimnate about. If you have something a like Hep B or HIV, it's probably something that you need to be careful about passing onto patients (I know the odds are unreal, but it could happen - in which case the 'do no harm' thing kinda flies out the window). You wouldn't want to attend four years of med school + residency just to find out you aren't going to be able to practice. However, OP your illness seems like something that a. would not affect your ability to be a practicing doctor and b. not be anything that would limit your contact with patients.

I would just like to say that I think everyone here who has an illiness is very brave for continuing to follow their dreams, and will be able to use their experiences to become very caring and confident doctors👍

Physicians have to report if they have diseases transmitted by blood?

 

[eellen3]

Anyone?

 

[singkri]

Hi, I was diagnosed with a chronic kidney disease- and have a transplant since then. I have an interview call- I wrote extensively about the disease in all my essay questions, because there was no skirting the issue..

I am on immunosuppresants- my first question when I came out of the transplant was if I could ever do medicine- I was so keen on doing medicine always, and it really broke my heart that I could be stopped from doing medicine because of this...

But my doctor said that there should be no issue- she asked me to avoid specialities with high contagion risk- such as infectious diseases for eg.

I think it strengthens all our applications- we are all more motivated, and empathetic to a fellow patient than we would ever realise. I think everyone has problems... let us all show the schools that we mean business, whatever be our cases... No one has a guarantee on their lives, anything could happen to anybody, to speak in philosophical terms...

I think our illnesses would have made us more responsible and organised... Firstly, hats off to all of you to take on this journey-- I keep telling myself that its not easy.. but I think we have whatever we do, because someone believes that we can manage come what may.

Its so encouraging and supportive to learn about all your experiences! I feel better about my transplant now 🙂

 

[Maxprime]

Most specialties require some amount of physical procedures - when your career involves that you will invariably run into problems like this. It's just part of the gig.

 

[ryno]

Physicians have to report if they have diseases transmitted by blood?

Check this out ---> http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=432698 I believe that us having these diseases has made us stronger and made it possible for us to be better doctors than if we had been completely healthy and clueless to how a patient suffers. We have been assumed a different point of view to medicine than most doctors. I plan on using my disease and surguries ect. in my personal statement to make my application stronger. Hope everyone is healthy!😀😀

 

[FurmanJon]

Daughter has been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes for 15 years. She is in her fourth year of med school and wants to become an endocrinologist and treat diabetics, etc.

There is a question that you must answer about your ability to perform all of the functions necessary to be a doctor during the application period. An honest answer is necessary but hardly anybody comes to school with perfect everything. So, not many get ruled out for diabilities.

I was fearful my daughter would not get a fair shake but she was accepted at two schools.

You could use the disease as something you want to know all about and treat other patients with the same disease when you become a doctor. You would be the real all knowing doctor that patients would seek out.

Good luck.

this is a bit remarkable--I too have been IDDM for 15 years, and I mentioned endocrinology on my secondary app when asked about specialty preference. My number one is pathology because it fits me very well, but finding a good endocrinologist was tough all my life, so it's a big possibilitiy.

Anyway, it was nearly the highest of the high points in my interview; they were less concerned with how I handled it as that relates to physician duties, and more concerned/impressed with the fact that I had a long history and perspective as a chronic disease patient. Merely getting to the same point as the other applicants while handling the disease seemed to be laudable. The interesting thing is, in all of this, I didn't make a big deal about it at all--they completely provided the analytical impetus.

So, my advice would be definitely to have a solid answer as to how you'll handle it during your actual duties, but also focus upon the idea of having a patient's perspective and not letting something like this set you back.

 

[bipolardoc]

Anyone care to discuss chronic mental illnesses with the same premise, such as bipolar, depression, anxiety, etc... how the medical studies affected them etc.. As we know these medications, symptoms change depending on different enviornments and triggers, etc...

 

[fahimaz7]

I know some people with Ulcerative Colitis. They manage it through a very regulated immuno-supressive regime and keep going through school.

The only problem is that Chrones and UC both increase the risk for colon cancer.

 

[MrBurns10]

Anyone care to discuss chronic mental illnesses with the same premise, such as bipolar, depression, anxiety, etc... how the medical studies affected them etc.. As we know these medications, symptoms change depending on different enviornments and triggers, etc...

First, I wouldn't mention these issues in your application. Unfortunately, there is still some stigma against mental illness, some moreso than others. That being said, if a student has good self-awareness and can make adjustments if/when things start getting worse, there's no reason to think he/she couldn't be successful in med school and beyond. It's only a lack of self-awareness or desire to do whatever is necessary to fix the problem that would be concerning, at least in my mind.

 

[hoya09]

Hey-

I would agree with the above post re mental illness. It's unfortunate, but true that stigma still exists... you could frame it as an obstacle you've overcome, but there's always the chance of some discrimination. I got diagnosed with Behcet's disease (auto-immune, I know its not directly related to mental health but my point still applies) last year. I've talked about it on a lot of apps because of the challenges I faced while searching for a diagnosis. I focused on how I felt as a patient and how this perspective will affect my practice as a physician. It was a very personal decision to discuss this. I had a very difficult time writing secondary essays on this topic, but I felt that my illness had influenced my development as a person and as an aspiring clinician, warranting its inclusion. Whatever decision you make about disclosing your health info is entirely up to you, but for me, it certainly helped me work through the questions of "how will this affect me?" for myself. Best of luck in applying and with your health.

EDIT: realized that the OP didn't explicitly mention a personal experience w/ mental illness, but whatever the case may be, I would offer the same advice to anyone facing said situation.

 

[sflo]

interesting post. I have a chronic inflammatory disease that i just recently was diagnosed with. Although chronic, its not life threatening or interferes with my task. I even wrote abot it in some secondaries, and mentioned it in an interview, because it really has changed the way i view medicine.

Twist it in a positive light and talk about that. Just be true to urself. Ur at an advntage because u more than anyone know what a patient feels like and u can cope. U have the power to make a difference and emphasize that.

Best to all

 

[ELECTROLITE80]

I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at 22, I am now 28 and I have it under control, but I still have the typical aches and pains that are associated with the disease. Considering I walked like the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz before they found his oil can when I first became sick, I'm happy with the occasional aches and pains! 🙂

I tend to look at what I have as a blessing in disguise, we who have diseases or conditions know what it is like first hand to be that patient who wants the best possible care and treatment possible. We can use what we go through as a foundation for how we want to maintain patient care as well as how we would want the staff around us to treat patients.

Although I am still completing my prereq sciences, I plan on be completely honest with what I have. It's better to be safe an acknowledge it so that you don't get yourself in a sticky situation and then you hear "well why didn't you tell me" after the fact. It's amazing how accomodating people can be, especially when you are like me, and try to be independent and maintain everything yourself without help.

Good luck to you all! 😀

 

[justdoit31]

I have polycystic ovarian syndrome- I mentioned it in a few of my applications because I was diagnosed my junior year of college and dropped down to 11 hours that semester to adjust to all the new meds... I can't say life is perfect now, I still have some bad days with pain but it hasn't stopped me from doing anything.

Good luck- my condition been asked about yet in interviews- I mentioned it once in an interview when asked about clinical experience and just expressed that not only did I have 500+ hours clinically through volunteering and shadowing but I also have been a patient.

 

[Revilla]

I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at 22, I am now 28 and I have it under control, but I still have the typical aches and pains that are associated with the disease. Considering I walked like the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz before they found his oil can when I first became sick, I'm happy with the occasional aches and pains! 🙂

As someone with lupus, can I just say that's the most accurate description I've heard of my posture/stance/walk pre-diagnosis? Thanks for the chuckle and wishing you good health!

 

[pluckyduck1105]

Hi guys! I'm so glad someone started this thread, I've been too chicken to do it myself for fear that I would get attacked in some way or made to feel stupid/inferior by other people. Like many of you that have commented, I also have a disease but my disease is mental in nature. I have chronic depression and anxiety, and I've actually been very open about it in the application process.

My personal statement was sort of a parallel story about how I struggled with anorexia nervosa when I was 14, and how I finally accomplished my lifelong dream of running a marathon last year and that to me signified and showed everyone else around me (my mom and dad especially, who were very worried that I might have been slipping back into eating disorder patterns bc I was losing weight near the end of my training period. Everyone loses fat once you start running around 35+ miles per week.) that I was finally totally done with my eating disorder and had my greatest priorities on my health, and how this mentality and the types of doctors and health professionals I have encountered in my treatment have inspired to give back to medicine because I really do think I might not be alive now if I hadn't been treated when I did.

Anyways, I knew this was a risky topic to talk about but it really has been the main reason that I am still determined to become a physician today. I had a very unique and personal story to tell which relates to why I am pursuing a medical career, and I despite that it might raise an eyebrow or two I think the fact that I have been so open about it has personally showed me how far I've come from that very difficult time in my life and how it has made me mature so quickly (I'm 21 years old). I also wanted to bring it up so show that I really think there is a very skewed perception in society about people with mental diseases and especially eating disorders. People seem to think that people with eating disorders are just a bunch of girls who have no intellectual aspirations and are super frivolous, only aspiring models who pinch their leg fat in front of the mirror and paste pictures of supermodels all over their walls. This is extremely stereotypical and just not true. I actually have met quite a lot of people who have told me they believe they have had disordered eating but never got diagnosed by a physician. If I had been applying to law school or anything other than med school, I wouldn't have written my PS on this experience but because I knew that doctors who had been educated in this stuff would be reading it.

I had my first interview on Monday One of my interviews with with an adcom member (not a doctor, just one of the people who works on the committee) went very in-depth with me about my experience with the disease and my recovery. I felt fine talking about it all with her, until she asked me if I still am receiving treatment for it. I am not receiving anymore treatment for anorexia, so to say. I'm done with that. But like any other chronic illness, I have to manage it and I do still manage my anxiety and mood disorder with medication. I didn't know what to say to her--I wanted to just say it like that but because she wasn't a doctor, I almost felt like she was just think I was a "crazy" person because I was taking psychoactive medications, since she didn't have the medical education and understanding that what I have is very manageable with medical treatment. It's not like a have a rare disorder that only 3 doctors in the world are experts on, this is a disease that affect several millions of people whether they have been formally diagnosed or not. I just happen to have been diagnosed, although not until I was very physically sick first.

My question for everyone is: What is the best way for me to respond if I get asked this again? I do think it will come up again for sure, I mean I wrote my entire PS on this and it is definitely a big part of my past. I do want to stress however that I am not anorexic anymore, but I do have to manage the underlying mental illness which contributed to my developing this unfortunate disease. I don't want anyone on the adcoms to think that I will fall back into that, because the entire reason I even wrote my PS on this was to show how far I've come in battling this disease and how I have really put that awful way living behind me and I am now focused on my wellbeing, physically emotionally and intellectually and being a doctor is part of the way I plan to give back to the profession that saved my life.

Like always, my post is way too long. Le sigh.

 

[MadEvans]

My question for everyone is: What is the best way for me to respond if I get asked this again?

Why would a non-medical person be evaluating you for candidacy for medical school matriculation? Keep in mind, just because someone doesn't have an MD doesn't mean they don't have medical training (ie medical research, public health, other doctorate health education). If the adcom member indeed was non-medical, I guess the only thing you can do for the future is hope for the same unlucky instance to not happen again. Perhaps you can try to educate them in the short time you have...

Anyway, I wish you the best of luck and I know that being honest and sincere with selling yourself is always the best option.

 

[MadEvans]

You could use the disease as something you want to know all about and treat other patients with the same disease when you become a doctor. You would be the real all knowing doctor that patients would seek out.

I'm a diagnosed T1DM patient as well. I definitely stressed this in my interviews... having the perspective of the patient will help me immensely when practicing as a doctor.

 

[pluckyduck1105]

Why would a non-medical person be evaluating you for candidacy for medical school matriculation? Keep in mind, just because someone doesn't have an MD doesn't mean they don't have medical training (ie medical research, public health, other doctorate health education).

I don't know really what this interviewer's educational background is, or any other person whose job description doesn't give me a better idea of what his/her educational background may entail. But what I do know is that during all the years of grueling education and training, medical doctors are thoroughly taught in a formal educational setting about all sorts of systemic diseases, including psychological illnesses and their symptoms. This person who interviewed me may very well have some sort of degree in health education or research, but that still doesn't assure me that this interviewer knows exactly what sort of condition I have. On the other hand, a practicing physician, whatever his/her specialty, has probably had quite a few encounters with patients like me since what I have is very prevalent.

I don't know if this reflects the experience of others who have had to speak about their illnesses in interviews, but my interviewer took extensive notes on all of my responses during the interview session. So I'm not too worried about it, as long as she doesn't try to skew what I said and just presents my answers as they were so that the entire committee would make a judgment as opposed to solely of her own . But of course, everybody is biased so if in I get discriminated against for having this illness, then it is what it is and I can't go back in time and re-do the interview. If they will seriously try to discriminate against me for my health status, I'd rather not go there anyways. I want to go to medical school more than anything else in the world, it's my dream. But I'd rather not go to a medical institution that would cut me after all I've been through to conquer my illness and the courage I've had to be open about it. I'm proud of myself for how incredibly far I've come and how the process has matured me, and I have nothing to regret because I have been honest and straight forward about my past nad recovery every step of the way.

 

[MadEvans]

On the other hand, a practicing physician, whatever his/her specialty, has probably had quite a few encounters with patients like me since what I have is very prevalent.

Some doctors will still have biases against mental illness as well, no matter how much scientific evidence disagrees with it. That being said, stating mental illness is treading on dangerous ground. But, if you explain it well and, as a poster said above, demonstrate self-realization, I think you can utilize it to your advantage.

 

[pluckyduck1105]

True. You're right, I think the most important thing to emphasize is that I now know myself and my body very well, and I have no hesitations to seek the advice of a medical professional if I ever started to experience symptoms that could be interfering with my normal functioning. I know myself way better now in every way than when I was 14 and believed that nothing could hurt me. Every patient with a chronic illness can manage their problem well as long as they willingly and actively partake in receiving help when its needed and comply with an appropriate treatment plan. This has definitely been my experience.

 

[Bkv11]

nice thread 🙂
I have sickle cell anemia, since I've had it my whole life I've learned to adapt to different situations and environments so it doesn't affect my quality of life too much. But I can't over exert myself physically, and no matter how careful I am, I usually get at least one(used to be a lot more 🙂) week long hospitalization per year (sometimes at the worst possible time). I'm planning on my application being pretty competitive otherwise, but will these limits put me at a disadvantage when compared to applicants with similar stats and no physical limits or time off to worry about?

Another thing is, I have no interest in becoming a Hematologist(or anything else with loads of patient contact and long hours). Would I come off as insensitive if I have no desire to treat others with my condition?

Also, would immunodeficiency be a significant concern of the adcoms?

 

[BlueElmo]

hey guys,

how about a close family member who has a chronic disease? My mom has had lupus since I was a little child. Is it worth bringing this up in my PS/secondaries/interviews? This has motivated me to become a doctor.