Full time work/grad school after diagnosis- thoughts?

[cptawesome]

Already so grateful for these forums, thanks so much Tex and everyone else! So much helpful information in here!

So, my conundrum, I would appreciate any advice or insight you may have- after being a stay at home mom for 12 years, I was planning on starting full time grad school and full time teaching July 13th. I was officially diagnosed with collagenous colitis yesterday and am seriously considering whether or not all of this will be too much for the time being. I am on Entocort for 8 weeks and will be working on my diet- I do have celiac as well. I had three months of terrible D (up to 20/day) after years of intermittent symptoms.

I am not dead set on doing this program- yes, it's the best for my resume and probably my knowledge, but, I know I have to take care of my health and I have other options which would be less intense. I'd really appreciate any tips from those of you who have learned to manage your MC!

Thanks so much!

[Chemgirl]

It really depends on how you feel and your energy level.

For me, I think it would have been a bit much to work full time and take graduate classes right after diagnosis. I work full time, and it took about a year before I had enough energy to pick up side projects.

So it can be done, but best not to rush it.

[tex]

I agree with Chemgirl. The biggest problems with this disease for most of us (not everyone, though) is the fatigue and brain fog. If fatigue develops, we have no endurance and require extra time for resting, because unlike the Energizer Bunny, our batteries run down and have to be recharged often. And if brain fog is a symptom, cognitive abilities, memory, powers of concentration, etc., go out the window. So if you have brain fog as a symptom (as so many of us do/did), your course of study would have to be relatively easy to comprehend/remember, otherwise you would be almost constantly confused/stymied/frustrated by your inability to grasp relatively simple concepts and remember simple facts.

On the average, with careful attention to diet and normal rates of intestinal healing, it typically takes most of us somewhere around 2 years to get past the fatigue and brain fog. Until those symptoms are under control, it's tough to handle 1 full time job, let alone 2. However, as I mentioned, not all of us have those symptoms.

Please read some of the relatively recent posts about tapering off the Entocort treatment. In general, the slower the dosage is tapered, the better, in order to prevent a rebound effect of mast cell propagation/activation that results in a relapse of symptoms a few weeks after the corticosteroid treatment is discontinued.

Best of luck to you, whatever you choose to do.

Tex

[cptawesome]

Thanks for the insights. I definitely have fatigue, although I don't think the fatigue nor any brain fog comes close to what I had when I was ill with celiac (although that was in the throes of undergrad/single motherhood so maybe it was just more noticeable then!).

The good/great news is I have an appt with Dr Lewey in July so at the very least I feel like I'm in good hands. Woo!

Thanks again! :)

[tex]

Yes, Dr. Lewey is arguably one of the top GI specialists in this country for digestive system diseases associated with food sensitivities. Lucky you for living in Colorado, and arranging an appointment. You should indeed be in good hands.

Please keep us posted on how your appointment and your recovery goes.

Tex

[kayare]

It does depend on your energy level.

For me, both would have been too much. One fulltime job was really too much even though I managed. Looking back, I felt terrible, and it was all I could do to read, read, read on this forum, figure out my foods, and get adequate rest. I did take on a major project about six months after my diet changes, but I know now that I should have waited. Remission took about 2 1/2 years; maybe I would have gotten there a bit sooner with less stress and more rest. It took me more than a year of effort to consistently add an extra hour to my sleep each night.

Every time I have a setback or extra pain, I know that I need more sleep and less stress. I never deviate from my diet - now that I know what works. I'm sure that is what makes all the difference. I, too, struggle with similar work decisions although I know that my life in retirement will be even healthier than it is now.

It's an individual decision, and I wish you the very best. How fortunate that you have a really good GI doc.

Kathy

[Gabes-Apg]

I would walk before you run per say....

Figure out your mc management plan, have a good eating plan in place, know your triggers, both ingredients, and external things like environmental/stress etc. are you pooping at the same time every day, do you know the niggles/symptoms that poop is going to happen so you have time to find a toilet. Do you have safe meals and snacks sorted that you be out for the day without a kitchen?

Spend a few months taking the supps that most people need like vit D, magnesium, b group (?active forms) and get your body back into an optimised level.

Maybe try part time work or some interim study of short one subject course. See how you go physically, mentally and emotionally.

I highly recommend doing weekly/fortnightly cook ups. Pre-prepare stews, soups etc and freeze them in meal portions so if you have busy week, most of your meals are covered.
If you are organised, and prepared, it is doable. But ease into it....

Hope this helps