Would you take a leave if medical absence in my position?

[nessie5876]

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I’m about to enter clinics mid April. Since December I have had tremors of my lower extremities (mostly quads/hamstrings). It can be variable how bad it is, some weeks better than others. It mostly bothers me if I’m holding a big dog for a jug draw. I can get it to go away if I lock my knees. I actually have also had a tremor/spasm of my right neck since vet school started, but it only bothers me when I’m looking in the microscope lol. Unsure if those are related.

Even asking for a referral in early Jan the neurologist can’t see me until April 7. This past week was one of the bad weeks, which was particularly discouraging. Working at the vet clinic someone noticed my hand shaking as I was holding a puppy. I’ve also noticed it like with painting (fine motor skills).

I’m hoping it’s just an essential tremor which is common in my family and managed with meds well. I am young for it tho. However, I’m worried about not having an answer/having it managed before clinics start. That’s just the exam, i don’t know if they’ll need to run tests or if I’ll be lucky and get an answer that day. And of course it becomes worse with stress which I’m sure will skyrocket come 4th year lol. WWYD in my position?

 

[battie]

@WildZoo and @wheelin2vetmed are two people who took deferrals.

I guess for me it would depend on when you start clinics. I'm assuming you start this spring?

 

[JaynaAli]

This is probably something only you can decide. You know what your body can handle and what you can and can’t manage. I’d think if your appointment is early April and you don’t start clinics until after that, I’d probably just wait and see what the doctor says. Then if they think a leave is appropriate while you figure things out or get something under control, a leave can be arranged at that point. Are you talking just a couple months or deferring a semester or whole year? I guess I’d wonder what you’re going to do if you do take the leave? Would you stay where you are currently or move back home with family? Those are really hypothetical questions, but I don’t think it’s something we can tell you how to handle.