Medical problem potentially makes me take reduced course load

[gerrymcgraw]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Medical problem potentially makes me take reduced course load Hello,

I am currently struggling with my ankylosing spondylitis, feeling back pain when lying and sitting (during sleep and study!!!!!!! or the negation of them I should say). I am on Remicade and believe I've started to tolerate the drug. To re-achieve a good therapeutic level with these kinds of drugs I expect will take a few weeks whether the dose is increased or I move on to a new drug. I have a sensitive stomach to NSAIDs so am quite reliant on these anti-tnf alphas.

I am developing some moderate to severe anxiety about having to reduce my course load because of this damn disease, just for this semester. What could be the effect on my applications (to McGill) knowing that I did not do 1 semester full time, and maybe more importantly that I suffer from AS and that such crises do happen from time to time, and don't resolve themselves quickly.

Thank you.

 

[ialwayslose]

I don't know the specific policy of McGill (even though I am currently a U3 undergrad there), but I would guess the following:

If you are a Quebec citizen and if you explained yourself adequately and maintained good grades in all your classes, they would probably be forgiving. If you are OOP/International, your chances are probably lower. If you take additional courses in the next semester (or have taken above 15 credits many times in the past), you would have a strong case for yourself. By the way, how many courses/credits are you planning on taking? If reduced to you = 13-14 credits, then I wouldnt worry too much, just take 16-17 next semester.

However, you might really want to consider your future after medical school. Are you going to be able to handle medical school with ankylosing spondylitis? Are you going to be able to handle a potential residency? Your everyday job? Medicine is a long road, and its especially competitive in Canada, so if you have difficulties with your health, you might want to consider whether you and not McGill should allow you to attempt the medical career.

I am not discouraging you, I hope that everything works out and I wish you the best with your applications. Hopefully your condition improves quickly

 

[NickNaylor]

I don't know the specific policy of McGill (even though I am currently a U3 undergrad there), but I would guess the following:

If you are a Quebec citizen and if you explained yourself adequately and maintained good grades in all your classes, they would probably be forgiving. If you are OOP/International, your chances are probably lower. If you take additional courses in the next semester (or have taken above 15 credits many times in the past), you would have a strong case for yourself. By the way, how many courses/credits are you planning on taking? If reduced to you = 13-14 credits, then I wouldnt worry too much, just take 16-17 next semester.

However, you might really want to consider your future after medical school. Are you going to be able to handle medical school with ankylosing spondylitis? Are you going to be able to handle a potential residency? Your everyday job? Medicine is a long road, and its especially competitive in Canada, so if you have difficulties with your health, you might want to consider whether you and not McGill should allow you to attempt the medical career.

I am not discouraging you, I hope that everything works out and I wish you the best with your applications. Hopefully your condition improves quickly

This would be more of my concern as well. Even if you make it through undergrad fine, will you be able to handle med school, which is leaps and bounds more stressful?

 

[gerrymcgraw]

Giving up my goal on a possible temporary uncertainty is not an option. If I have to give up studies I will when I have to, but I won't before knowing I do. I will be a great doctor if I go through. The goal is my raison d'être right now. Achieving medical school admission would be an honour that I basically NEED right now.

Taking more than 15 credits is impossible since I am doing this degree at Concordia, but I am a Quebec native so that is advantageous.

 

[Morsetlis]

I don't understand, why do you have to reduce your courseload? I get that you have AS and that it hurts, but how does taking fewer classes help that?

Exposure to professors and lectures which activates necessary academic coursework, which then via the pre-med motivation second messenger system allosterically activates homework and study mentality, reducing levels of sleep and relaxation and increasing levels of anxiety, stress, and cortisol.

Considering that cortisol reduces inflammation associated with Ankylosing Spondylitis autoimmune processes, perhaps the OP should take more classes!

😎

 

[gerrymcgraw]

That is good! Anyway I want to apologize for my previous dry post.

The effect AS has on me is lack of sleep and rest, difficulty concentrating in class due to pain, and impossibility to study at library while I am at school. With travel, my study and reading times are in total greatly reduced. Another point is that the actual sitting in class cripples my back from further inflammation, so sitting less in general is a good thing. I somehow have doubts over the worth of listening about Heidegger's metaphysics 4 hours a week on crappy chairs.

 

[myronnie]

Talk to your university about things they can do to help you feel comfortable in class. Maybe you can get a seat that is more comfortable (or bring pillows). There is always something that you (or the university) can do to make a situation better! Don't give up hope! 🙂