Can college far away be managable with Crohn's?
Sun, May 22, 2011 8:59 PM
My son is a senior in high school and was just diagnosed with Crohn's after suffering for 6 months with an anal fissure that would not heal. We are still in shock, trying to figure it all out. Glad I found this site at the recommendation of the nurse who was there when we were told. Anyway, my son is supposed to go to college in August, 300 miles away. Is this really going to work? Will he be able to manage meds and work with a GI on school breaks? What about diet? Will he be made fun of? Please let us know if you've been there and how it worked out. Thank you.
Worried Mom
Joined May 22, 2011
Wed, May 25, 2011 9:51 PM
Reply posted for wildcat.
Thanks to all for the helpful suggestions. It's great to have this way to share info.
Joined May 22, 2011
Wed, May 25, 2011 10:15 AM
Reply posted for EZ.
p.s. Her IBD Specialist gave her a standing order Rx for blood tests which I have a copy and she has the original in case she isn't home and needs her blood work done up there to send to her doctor here. If he is in a dorm, you can buy a little fridge to keep stuff in like probiotics if he needs them. On my daughter's campus, they have student housing: dorms and apartments. She was in the student apartments ($530 per month including utilities, what a deal!!) so she could cook and buy her own food. She is at UCSB so Goleta has a bunch of "health food" and "organic" foods/restaurants up there. There's a Trader Joe's in Goleta and Whole Foods in Santa Barbara. She is having the time of her life. I think your son will too.
Joined Nov 9, 2008
Wed, May 25, 2011 10:07 AM
Reply posted for gjyeatman.
My daughter is a junior (transfer student) in college. Diagnosed UC 4 years ago. I feel your concern. I called the disability office on the college campus and they were such a HUGE help. They will be there for you and your son. They will give you the info about housing, food in dorm, etc. They need a FAX from your son's doctor about his condition. Also, her IBD specialist gave my daughter a name of a GI doctor near her campus if she needed medical help. College is so different and he will not be made fun of at all. Her meds are at CVS which she can transfer Rx up near her campus so check and see which pharmacies are up there. You can also check the college student health center for information too. My daughter's campus can get ANY Rx for $25 !!!!! Unreal!!! Great benefits getting the college health plan plus she has her own Blue Cross plan. She's pretty much covered at almost 100%!!! Not that this has to do with medical but fyi...need to check banks nearby to see if you can put money in local account to see if there's a branch near the campus so your son can get cash when needed otherwise there are lots of fees if it's not the same branch at ATM.
Joined Nov 9, 2008
Mon, May 23, 2011 7:20 PM
Reply posted for gjyeatman.
My son had been dx for 4yrs when he went away to school. It was about 300 miles away. This was very manageable until he got really sick his junior year. CD is so unpredictable that its hard to really know. It was an hour flight so he did a lot of flying back and forth for appointments. Eventually he had to drop out a quarter for surgery. Just like anything else, when things are good, the distance is not an issue. But trying to tell what is going on over the phone is very difficult. His disease at the time he went to college was under control so for us it was the right decision. If he had been flaring or having issues I probably would have tried to talk him out of going so far away. Its really tough because you want them to have a normal life and this disease is very unpredictable. I would look into flights and how fast you could get him home if needed. That was a big plus for us- one hour flight and we live 5 mins from the airport. Hope this helps.
Joined Jul 6, 2009
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