Managing Fibromyalgia Symptoms at School

Do school online!!!

I’m a junior in college. In college a lot of the same ones as above apply. Having the 504 won’t be as helpful as it would’ve been in highschool but it can make it potentially easier to get accommodations from profs. Best thing to do in college is be friend your professors and let them know what’s happening. Your professors become your advocate more than the school does. Most campuses also have disability services. Definitely use this resource. They have separate counselors that can help get stubborn profs on your side. Disability services is almost the equivalent as guidance counselors in highschool. Each semester plot out where your classes are before the first day of classes this way you know where the class room is and how much time it will take to walk there so on the first day you’re not running around like crazy. To help get around campus better, I use a scooter. Mine is push style but you could even get the electric kind this way you’re not in so much pain. If your school allows freshman to have their cars, bring your car. This can help on days when the pain is bad and getting around / being able to go off campus to find a quite spot or have a dr apt. When u pick your dorm, choose one on the first floor. Two things about the car and dorm picking, if you aren’t allowed to do either you can fight it by emailing housing and transportation services. The disability services at your school can help you with all of this as well. Don’t be scared to google all these people and email them in advance before committing so you can make the best school choice that will be able to accommodate you properly. Hands down see pain management before going away to school so you can have medication help before all the craz of college happens. I don’t want to scar you but the stress of being in a new place, stress of classes, social stress and even the stress that comes from eating new foods can trigger more pain. If you are like me, I am dairy free gulten free and soy free and generally do my best to eat healthy as to reduce the amount of inflammation in my body. College foods generally don’t fit these restrictions so I worked with the dietician on my campus so that the kitchen would prepare special meals for me that I could eat that would stay in those bounds. One last thing I would like to mention. There is nothing wrong with taking more than 4 years to finish your degree, taking leave of absences, or being part time student for some semesters. Only you live in your body and know what it needs and how it reacts to stress. Let me know if you have any more questions as you continue your college selection process.

Oh Thank you so much! I’m currently a senior in high school but I’m having a hard time managing my pain now I’m worried about how I’ll be able to manage in college too

Oo ok I have struggle with this too. Highschool or college? I’ll share my highschool tips. 1. Get a 504. A 504 is a document that states accommodations for you that is signed by your doctor and school guidance counselor. Think about what would help you in school. Here are some that are worth considering and can written in a 504. Would taking an elevator help. Having a wheely backpack. Being allowed to stand up in the back of the classroom. Being allowed to lay down at the nurse. Excused gym class. Using a heat pack in class. Extra time on tests. Asking to have your bus pick u up in front of your house instead of walking to your neighborhood bus Stop. Ask for two sets of books, one set for home one set for school so that you can keep one set at home snd the other in your locker. 2. Find a spot in your school that is alone or no one goes too often. What I used to do is when the pain would get unbearable, I’d ask to go to the bathroom but instead of going to the bathroom I would go to that alone spot and do some deep breathing and gentle stretching and sometimes when super bad, call my mom from that spot. 3. Have friends that know you struggle. Sometimes when they know you struggle they can help you with carry your books / bag, and when really in a pinch during lunch help you thro your assignments. 4. Starting with pain management. Idk if your on any meds for it but getting some kind of pain med regimen can maybe make the bad days a little less bad and the good days a little better. 5. Talk and establish relationships with your teachers. When you can open up to your teachers about your condition and pain, sometimes they can modify assignments and give u accommodations on the side that are special to that individual class. Hope these help and I’m sorry you’re struggling.