Pseudotumor Cerebri Support Group
Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) is a neurological disorder that is characterized by increased intracranial pressure, in the absence of a tumor or other diseases affecting the brain or its lining. Diagnosis requires brain scans and lumbar puncture. Characteristic symptoms are headache, transient visual obscurations or transient visual loss in one or both eyes usually lasting...
So my university classes start this Thursday. I am in my 4th (and what should have been final) year of a business degree program, and all summer I have been back and forth on whether or not to defer the semester. I have had this unrelenting headache since February, but wasn't actually diagnosed till May. I had a hard time finishing up my last semester which ended in April with the headache, and now my headache is a lot worse and I have also lost a teeny tiny portion of my vision. I don't want to sit around all day doing nothing and wasting my life but at the same time I don't want to spend money going to school, just to realize I can't do it. I am just so torn on what to do. I was supposed to have a full course load of 5 classes, but now I am thinking I would probably cut it down to 3, which sucks cause it will add a whole other semester for me before I can graduate.
I have to stay a full time student because I don't want my student loans to go into repayment and my insurance is through my student status, but I just think studying and even going to lectures with the non-stop headache is going to be a daily nightmare. The meds also make me soooo tired, I don't know how I am going to even get out of bed to go to class lol. Sorry I don't really even know the point of my post, I am just getting so worn down with this illness and I don't know how to make the right decision when everything just sucks.
I have to stay a full time student because I don't want my student loans to go into repayment and my insurance is through my student status, but I just think studying and even going to lectures with the non-stop headache is going to be a daily nightmare. The meds also make me soooo tired, I don't know how I am going to even get out of bed to go to class lol. Sorry I don't really even know the point of my post, I am just getting so worn down with this illness and I don't know how to make the right decision when everything just sucks.
Just because that was my story does not mean that is yours though. To be totally brutally honest with you, it was a lot harder to study. It took twice to three times as long to read assignments. Staring at a computer screen was very difficult. HOWEVER, it is NOT impossible. Allow yourself extra time, plan ahead, and don't wait to the last minute. If you decide to split your schedule, while I know that will be frustrating, is there an additional elective "fun" class you could take that will boost your gpa as well as relax you? I know many universities offer (if you're on campus) pottery, voice lessons, etc. these classes are not necessarily as challenging as some major classes but still count as college hours. If you are off campus, and taking on-line courses, you can still take art classes or even P.E. classes, you just have different guidelines.
All of my professors were extremely understanding as I explained my situation, but I had to be open with them. Most universities have inclusion policies and offices that are specifically designed to help students who need assistance, don't hesitate to ask them.
Sorry so long,
Kristena