What's better?? Migraines vs. taking 6 months for step 1

[skyblue2000]

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I have quite the dilemma...

I'm a Canadian Carib student.
I ended up taking 6 months to complete Step 1. During this time, I was suffering from new onset migraines. I had never experienced them before and so I didn't seek medical attention promptly. Long story short, my doctor have me ergotamine and didn't work, then sumatriptan gave me seizures. Then I tried TCA and that seemed to help.

When it comes to residency, what's better? Just saying I took 6 months for step 1 or explaining the migraine issue? I haven't had any more since, but I'm worried program directors will see that and question why even take the chance of having me in their program.

I would really appreciate some advice.

Thank you.

 

[thepoopologist]

What do you think is most advantageous?

 

[rd31]

What do you think is most advantageous?

Did you even read the OP's post? He/she obviously doesn't know what's more advantageous, hence the question...🙄

I'm not sure I know what's better either. I might actually divulge the new-onset migraines (good explanation for prolonged study period) and emphasize that it took a while to find the correct medication to control the migraines properly. Then also emphasize that your migraines are now well controlled and that they no longer limit your functionality (hopefully this is true).

 

[skyblue2000]

Thank you so much for the response.

The migraines definitely subsided, I haven't gotten any for the past year and a half.
I'm just worried that PDs won't want to even take the risk of taking me above someone who didn't have any such issues.

I would really appreciate more opinions!

 

[Law2Doc]

I think to answer your question we kind of need to know in ballpark terms how well you did. Just saying you spent six months studying sound way worse if you still didn't do really well.

 

[skyblue2000]

Didn't do well... In 220s

 

[Law2Doc]

Didn't do well... In 220s

Then go with what rd31 said above. If it comes up.

 

[dorothyntoto]

Say nothing unless it comes up. If it comes up, say you were having health problems that are now well controlled and don't divulge what they are.

 

[skyblue2000]

Should I not even say migraines at all then?

I was asking because our MSPE application just got e-mailed to us, and my coordinator specifically told me to explain any LOAs.

 

[gutonc]

If you took a formal LOA (which you haven't mentioned) then yes, you need to explain your time off. You can be vague (medical problem now well controlled) or specific if you think it will help your case. Note that in the case of migraines as the problem, if you're not going for psych or neuro, you're probably better off being vague.

 

[skyblue2000]

Oh sorry, yes I requested a formal medical leave of absence.

I will be applying for Internal Medicine or Pediatrics, possibly both.
Why would it be better to say migraines if I was going for psych or neuro?

 

[dorothyntoto]

I am pretty sure you do not have to disclose the actual medical nature of the LOA. (I'm just a non-trad student) Medical information is not public, and having worked in healthcare prior to coming to med school, I think vague is on your side. Some people get kinda jaded when they hear 'migraines' because they hear 'person who will take endless days off'... While it's entirely plausible you'll never get them again, you're leaving your health information in the hands of someone who could hold it against you.

Again, just my 2₵...

 

[gutonc]

Of course you don't have to disclose the specific nature of your leave. But you do have to explain it and the more vague you are about it the worse it will look. If your reason for LOA is "medical issue" or "personal issue" a lot of people will read that as "spent 6 months on an inpatient psych unit".

As for why psych and neuro would be more receptive to migraines as your issue, just think about that a bit.

 

[Dharma]

Why would it be better to say migraines if I was going for psych or neuro?

Headaches kind of a common occurrence in these two fields with a decent amount of cross-over.

 

[skyblue2000]

If you took a formal LOA (which you haven't mentioned) then yes, you need to explain your time off. You can be vague (medical problem now well controlled) or specific if you think it will help your case. Note that in the case of migraines as the problem, if you're not going for psych or neuro, you're probably better off being vague.

You're right, I think what rd31 said above should, hopefully, be enough detail I just wanted to ensure a PD doesn't pass me up because of this reason, especially because I have them under control and I actually haven't had another migraine since. I took the propanol for 3-4 months afterward and then stopped. I still haven't had any more.