Getting through medical school with colitis

[3rdarmageddon]

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Hi guys,

I was diagnosed with non-specific colitis in August 2011, two weeks before I took the MCAT. I've been worried about making it through medical school ever since (I'm applying for the class of 2013). My gastroenterologist thinks that medical school is a real possibility, and that my experiences being ill will make me a better doctor. However, I was just told that I am in a flare and need to start taking low doses of prednisone that may severely alter my moods. So far when I've been in a flare, I've needed around 8 hrs of sleep/night to function properly.

What do you guys think? Do you think that medical school and residency are possible for people with chronic conditions like mine?

Thanks in advance.😳

 

[ShenanigansMD]

Next time you have a flare, take the medicine, and put yourself in a stressful situation. If your mood is not severely hindering you from accomplishing tasks, then go to med school.

Actually, never mind what I just said. If you want to go to med school, go to med school. Don't let some dude you met in a forum determine you're destiny.

 

[3rdarmageddon]

Good point, and I know the decision is my own. Honestly I doubt anything anyone here could say would stop me. However, I just wanted some opinions, especially if someone has seen someone work through medical school with a condition like mine.

 

[Gastrapathy]

Your gastroenterologist has seen countless people function in various stressful professional environments (including medicine) with IBD. www.ccfa.org

 

[RecycleRinsed]

Hi guys,

I was diagnosed with non-specific colitis in August 2011, two weeks before I took the MCAT. I've been worried about making it through medical school ever since (I'm applying for the class of 2013). My gastroenterologist thinks that medical school is a real possibility, and that my experiences being ill will make me a better doctor. However, I was just told that I am in a flare and need to start taking low doses of prednisone that may severely alter my moods. So far when I've been in a flare, I've needed around 8 hrs of sleep/night to function properly.

What do you guys think? Do you think that medical school and residency are possible for people with chronic conditions like mine?

Thanks in advance.😳

I concur.

 

[FacelessMage]

Hi guys,

I was diagnosed with non-specific colitis in August 2011, two weeks before I took the MCAT. I've been worried about making it through medical school ever since (I'm applying for the class of 2013). My gastroenterologist thinks that medical school is a real possibility, and that my experiences being ill will make me a better doctor. However, I was just told that I am in a flare and need to start taking low doses of prednisone that may severely alter my moods. So far when I've been in a flare, I've needed around 8 hrs of sleep/night to function properly.

What do you guys think? Do you think that medical school and residency are possible for people with chronic conditions like mine?

Thanks in advance.😳

I think you should be fine. You just really have to take extra care to make sure that you're getting as much rest as possible when you can, even if this means skipping out on fun stuff to catch up on some sleep (I have ulcerative colitis, and this is what I do). Avoid trigger foods (really don't overindulge on the booze, this will not be helpful). Make sure you can access your GI doc when you're having issues.

If you can make it through undergrad, you can make it through med school.

 

[ShenanigansMD]

I think you should be fine. You just really have to take extra care to make sure that you're getting as much rest as possible when you can, even if this means skipping out on fun stuff to catch up on some sleep (I have ulcerative colitis, and this is what I do). Avoid trigger foods (really don't overindulge on the booze, this will not be helpful). Make sure you can access your GI doc when you're having issues.

If you can make it through undergrad, you can make it through med school.

Med school with no booze? I might reconsider then haha.

 

[FacelessMage]

Med school with no booze? I might reconsider then haha.

Haha I boozed up all throughout undergrad, and plan to do so in med school (totally wrote that post while drinking wine). Just don't binge drink too often (or if you do, drink plenty of other fluids to go along with it).

To be honest though, OP, the mood swings from the prednisone wouldn't be what I'd worry about. Worry more about the insomnia, crazy weight gain, the hunger, acne, etc. The mood swings aren't bad compared to the rest.

 

[3rdarmageddon]

I think you should be fine. You just really have to take extra care to make sure that you're getting as much rest as possible when you can, even if this means skipping out on fun stuff to catch up on some sleep (I have ulcerative colitis, and this is what I do). Avoid trigger foods (really don't overindulge on the booze, this will not be helpful). Make sure you can access your GI doc when you're having issues.

If you can make it through undergrad, you can make it through med school.

Thanks for your input. Glad to hear you were able to make it work. The booze isn't a huge issue. I pretty much stay away from it now because of my condition (too bad, because I used to be a champion drinker). 😎