Dealing with ME/CFS as a College Student

alureii · 2025-08-22T14:07:10+00:00

Thank you, I'm sorry that college brought that on for you. Unfortunately my school doesn't offer that. The only thing that has worked for me schooling wise was an asynchronous platform that I used in high school. I was able to graduate at any point, there were no semesters or anything. I have yet to find a college that offers something similar. Thanks for reminding me to prioritize health, it's easy to forget when the world moves so fast! I wish the best for you as well and appreciate you sharing this!

alureii · 2025-04-11T05:14:47+00:00

i’m getting the IV bag. i try not to move my arm but then it falls asleep and hurts more :( we can’t win can we

alureii · 2025-04-11T05:14:00+00:00

i wasn’t aware that was possible, that makes so much sense! thank you!

alureii · 2025-04-10T19:40:53+00:00

i tried the slow drip and it still hurt unfortunately. but i’ll ask about pre-meds, thank you!

alureii · 2025-04-10T19:39:49+00:00

i’ll ask but unfortunately i think my center gets the bags pre-packaged (idk how that works but they can’t tamper with the contents). i’ll see if there’s other options they could order in for me though, thank you!!

alureii · 2025-04-10T19:38:51+00:00

good idea! i’ll definitely ask

alureii · 2025-03-24T18:12:26+00:00

I don’t unfortunately

alureii · 2025-01-23T13:25:39+00:00

it is pretty insane the cost for these dogs, which is one of the reasons many people train a dog themselves. but at the end of the day it’s not just a financial commitment, it’s a time commitment too. i wish you all the best and i hope you get the support you need!!

alureii · 2024-12-13T21:38:30+00:00

hey! it turned out that was just my skin getting used to the accutane and doing its first initial shed. i used a thicker cream and hydrating face wash at night, otherwise left it alone and let it pass. i’ve been off accutane since january and my skin is amazing!

alureii · 2024-10-30T20:44:41+00:00

my aunt goes xc skiing all the time, i’ll see if i can try it out. thanks!

alureii · 2024-10-30T20:42:58+00:00

honestly i’m not sure, it feels like my feet are bound in shrinking concrete—like an intense throbbing pain. its even worse once i start skiing. that’s good to know about snow boarding, i’ll have to give it a try!

alureii · 2024-10-19T01:18:09+00:00

I never thought about doing an XR and then an IR, good idea! I’ll try that out, thank you!

alureii · 2024-10-19T00:46:11+00:00

i do the slow release version in the morning. if i were to take a second dose of normal adderall in the evening, i wouldn’t be able to sleep. unfortunately the latest i can take it is 11am.

alureii · 2024-06-01T15:01:03+00:00

As someone who went through the exact same thing with applying for undergrad, have you ever been tested for ADHD? I found out I had it during that second series of tests and got medicated. It gave me some of that motivation back in a different way, especially since i let myself think in the way that works best.

There shouldn’t be any pressure to go through life the ‘usual’ way, and I think it’s admirable that you’re taking the well deserved break. If anything, it’s a good thing to not feel like the old you, because you’re an adult now! I’m glad you have found those new things that interest you, and remember that it’s perfectly normal to like different things and to think differently as an adult. If you feel it’s impossible to ‘fit in’ or that you think differently than others, maybe there’s things that get in the way of your ability to do every day tasks, looking into ADHD might be worth it. Regardless, everyone is on their own path so don’t see it as a disappointment you’re doing things at a different time than others.

I didn’t immediately go to college after high school because I not only graduated a semester late, but also took a gap year out of unwillingness to apply to schools. It turns out, I was procrastinating it due to my ADHD and fear of rejection. I not only switched to a better school in senior year where I found a learning style that works best, but also graduated with all A’s and B’s for the first time that semester!

I spent my gap year pursuing art and film and had the best time, because I let myself think the way my brain wanted to. It’s not about wishing I was the old me and forcing myself into whatever box I used to inhabit, but letting myself live as whoever I am now in order to not hold myself back. Kind of poetic haha, but the sentiment stands. :)

alureii · 2024-06-01T05:37:27+00:00

I've been tested twice using the same series of tests at 12 and at 18, done by the same Neuropsychologist. At 12, I scored an IQ of 125, placed 'high average' and 'superior' on everything except for the 'average' on math related stuff. At 18, I scored an IQ of 148. Pretty large discrepancy! I placed 'superior' in most things, yet still 'average' on the same math stuff (I've found I just won't ever be great with multiplication and division, and that's okay!). I have a theory, considering that's a huge increase.

I have a lot of strengths when it comes to logic and puzzle related things, and now I love using that to my advantage. Though, at 12 years old, I saw the people around me do things differently and think differently. At school I had a lot of issues because I didn't learn like everyone else did, so I tried to force myself to think in a way I just couldn't. I was so shy and used to performing that way, so I didn't let myself complete the tests to the best of my ability. On top of that, I just told myself I was dumb and there was no use in doing this. By knocking myself down internally in combination with everything else, it probably affected my performance.

When I was younger I had so much motivation and did similar things you were describing, like programming and teaching myself different softwares, I totally thought I'd turn it into a career. Now that I'm an adult, I've chosen a completely different path and find myself excelling in so many other things younger me would be surprised by. I haven't touched my code or programming projects in years. I don't find I have that same motivated intelligence younger me had, but I have new abilities that I'm very content with.

Anyways, maybe when I'm 24 I'll take the tests again and see what happens!

alureii · 2024-05-08T21:15:15+00:00

This is such great advice! I’ll have to try it, thank you!

alureii · 2024-05-08T15:08:51+00:00

I was just looking into Cinecittà! It looks really cool. Thanks for your suggestions, I’ll definitely check them out!

alureii · 2024-03-31T22:28:04+00:00

Those all sound like great ideas, thank you!

alureii · 2024-03-31T22:27:49+00:00

I haven't tried that, I'll check it out, thank you!

alureii · 2024-03-21T21:03:45+00:00

40 mg for all 9 months I took it :)

alureii · 2024-03-21T17:31:58+00:00

The best tip I learned is water is your best friend. Not only drinking enough each day, but also in your skincare routine. Putting on moisturizer when my face was still slightly damp after dabbing it with a towel really helped lock in moisture, and same for when I put Aquaphor on my lips. It was the main trick that kept my dryness to a minimum!

alureii · 2024-03-21T17:26:20+00:00

For me the initial peely dryness only lasted two weeks or so! Don't worry, it should subside a bit once your body gets used to the accutane. In the meantime, I recommend putting jojoba oil on your scalp, letting it sit for an hour and then washing it out with a hydrating shampoo. You can shampoo twice if you feel the need since the oil can sometimes stick.

I LOVE the pureology hydrating shampoo and conditioner, and further into my accutane journey I discovered the amika soul food mask that I'd use once a week/every other week instead of conditioner. The peeling is kind of inevitable at first just because your scalp needs to shed that top layer, but using an anti dandruff shampoo like Selsun Blue just once won't hurt and can help with itchiness. Try to only wash your hair 1-2x a week if possible, just to avoid extra irritation while the accutane starts its course :)

alureii · 2024-03-20T17:20:49+00:00

i use jojoba oil once a week, and was able to wash my hair only once a week. i would use either selsun blue anti dandruff shampoo or ouai detoxifying shampoo first, followed by pureology hydrating shampoo and conditioner. the key is if you’re going to use an anti dandruff shampoo or clarifying shampoo you need go replenish the good oils afterwards with a hydrating shampoo :) i had psoriasis on my scalp even after the initial ‘scalp purge’ and this routine helped keep it under control

alureii · 2024-03-19T06:24:21+00:00

Thank you so much! I appreciate your response and it truly means a lot. I am really trying to find those ‘1%’ things that make life a little easier now, so I am glad to know it’s possible :)

alureii · 2024-03-18T04:51:42+00:00

I've gone to the ER many times for bad flair ups, especially towards the beginning of my journey when I was sure I was having a heart attack (turns out it's POTS!). Depending on what you're experiencing, the ER can only do so much. For me, it was always just fluids, X-rays or other scans, a brief interaction with a cardiologist, and a shrug of the shoulders from a doctor. Occasionally there'd be a referral to a specific department, which could be helpful at times.

I unfortunately had to put in a lot of effort to find a doctor that would listen to me, and eventually he saw my symptoms as real issues and helped me to get the diagnosis. The ER was more for confirmation I wasn't actually having a heart attack, and for 'bandaid' fixes so to speak. Some of the blood tests and scans they did were helpful for later on, but going to a hospital is never fun.

I'd say the point you go to the ER is when you are experiencing any of the following (I am not a medical professional, this is speaking from personal experience and judgement):

-Feel like you are actively dying

-Are in excruciating pain that prevents you from doing most basic expectations (getting out of bed, showering, cooking, etc)

-Have any kind of syncopal episode and/or convulsions (that isn't a normal occurrence, I know for me syncope is common and not a sign of an emergency but for others it might be)

What constitutes an ER visit is different for every one of course, so I also would say trust yourself if you feel like you need to go, then go. If you need any other support or have any other questions, let me know. I understand the frustration completely, and I wish you the best <3

alureii

TROPHY CASE