I suspect my case is a lost cause, but I'd appreciate your input anyways. I became ill in medical school with a rare, undiagnosed neurological condition, and ended up taking 7 years to finish. I graduated 3 years ago. I really, really struggled to finish due to severe migraines, fatigue, ataxia, and brain fog/problems multitasking. When my symptoms relapsed, I performed horribly on wards. I had been previously healthy, and even did well my first year of school. Throughout the remainder of school, I was misdiagnosed by many neurologists and primary care docs with depression (only one neurologist believed I was ill and worked me up for MS repeatedly). I was told that I simply could not handle the stress of medical school and needed therapy. I took the advice seriously and acted on it. This information ended up being widely circulated among my third year clerkship instructors by the former dean, and I had a very difficult time completing third year. I also had to repeat surgery 3 times, which was widely circulated as well. It was quite embarrassing. Neurology isn't a required clerkship at my school, and I took it 4th year, loved it and did very well. Was told I was "outstanding" and would be an excellent neurologist. Also did well in the "sit down" electives, radiology and path.
At graduation 3 years ago, I felt so ill, and had performed so poorly on 3rd year wards, that I never even applied for residency/internship or even got letters together. Instead, I did an MPH with the goal of trying to keep my health insurance and get diagnosed.
As it turns out, I have a very rare condition called Hashimoto's Encephalopathy. It's reversible/treatable with steroids. It explains all my symptoms and I've been on several pulse and tapers of steroids since my diagnosis 2 years ago. I'm also now on thyroid hormone, even though my TSH was checked 6 times in med school and was always normal (during med school I was repeatedly reassured my thyroid gland was okay- not so, as I have both antibodies and nodules and the thyroiditis has been confirmed by an endocrinologist).These treatments have helped me immensely. Most of my symptoms have cleared, although I do still get migraines and sometimes feel quite fatigued and a little clumsy. For the past couple days, though, I have felt really great- better than I have in many years. I feel hopeful that I can reverse my illness altogether when I feel like this. So that's why I'm wondering if my case is a lost cause. If I continue to feel great for the next year and think I could succeed at residency (I won't apply unless I know I can handle it, and I'm aware that my illness could be aggravated by stress), do you think I have any chance of getting in (and succeeding) anywhere- in neurology? I went to a good school, but have mediocre board scores. The neurologist who diagnosed me was also my former instructor, and she has full faith in me being able to succeed. Other clerkships (besides path and radiology), not so much support. I can't really see myself doing path or radiology or anything else- just neuro. There are probably other things I can do besides medicine, such as writing and artwork.
Thanks in advance for your honest feedback.
At graduation 3 years ago, I felt so ill, and had performed so poorly on 3rd year wards, that I never even applied for residency/internship or even got letters together. Instead, I did an MPH with the goal of trying to keep my health insurance and get diagnosed.
As it turns out, I have a very rare condition called Hashimoto's Encephalopathy. It's reversible/treatable with steroids. It explains all my symptoms and I've been on several pulse and tapers of steroids since my diagnosis 2 years ago. I'm also now on thyroid hormone, even though my TSH was checked 6 times in med school and was always normal (during med school I was repeatedly reassured my thyroid gland was okay- not so, as I have both antibodies and nodules and the thyroiditis has been confirmed by an endocrinologist).These treatments have helped me immensely. Most of my symptoms have cleared, although I do still get migraines and sometimes feel quite fatigued and a little clumsy. For the past couple days, though, I have felt really great- better than I have in many years. I feel hopeful that I can reverse my illness altogether when I feel like this. So that's why I'm wondering if my case is a lost cause. If I continue to feel great for the next year and think I could succeed at residency (I won't apply unless I know I can handle it, and I'm aware that my illness could be aggravated by stress), do you think I have any chance of getting in (and succeeding) anywhere- in neurology? I went to a good school, but have mediocre board scores. The neurologist who diagnosed me was also my former instructor, and she has full faith in me being able to succeed. Other clerkships (besides path and radiology), not so much support. I can't really see myself doing path or radiology or anything else- just neuro. There are probably other things I can do besides medicine, such as writing and artwork.
Thanks in advance for your honest feedback.
