Sorry that I'm posting again, I'm really worried atm. I started suffering from fibromyalgia when I was about 8 and it gradually got worse. I went to see my GP about 5 times, each time he said I had growing pains, fifth time he referred me to a doctor in the hospital. They told me I had arthritis though I have NEVER had swelling of joints. They referred me to Oxford Hospital who told me I don't have arthritis, discharged me, went back to local hospital told me i had arthritis referred me back to oxford, they said you got chronic pain go to the chronic pain clinic, i did (this is when I was about 15) and they said I've got fibromyalgia.
I started telling friends, who had been very reluctant to admit I had anything wrong with me. I found it very difficult but i had a supportive boyfriend at the time. I managed to discuss it with my head of year who helped me alot, and i stayed in hospital for 2 weeks to try and manage my pain. I don't feel it ever helped me, and they discharged me, as well as local hospital.
Now, My friends have become better at helping me and we walk less and things like that. However I'm petrified about going university, as its quite an invisible condition I don't know how to let people know without sounding pathetic. And I'm scared about my needs assessment.. and i need to ring my doctor to get a medical... anyone know what it costs? I didn't start talking till I was about 6, and find I have speech problems when stressed or nervous.. I'm scared...
I feel for you. "Growing Pains" is the biggest cop out a doctor can tell a child. I was told this and i'm now waiting for my ninth operation to fix my right wrist!!! I was also told my ankle pains were nothing but the doctors paying a bit more attention now that i've been diagnosed with diabetes. I also appreciate that friends cannot be very supportive at first, like i'd bother going through with an operation if there was nothing wrong!!!
About the medical....? Why do you need a medical? Is it to prove your disability for DSA? If this is the case then a letter from the doctor should be fine. A medical costs about £100 whereas a letter shouldn't cost more than £20.
Also, if you are worried about explaining your illness to everybody you meet then just tell them you have arthritis....everyone knows what that is and will maybe understand that at times you may struggle walking or carrying things.
Trust me, It won't be as bad as you fear. The disability support team will let your tutor/lecturers know and they will support you as best as they can. Don't let yourself get worked up over it, after a week in uni you will look back and realise you were worrying over nothing.
Yes, I agree with Muz1. I think many people will be nervous and scared about Uni. I too have speech difficulities (stammer) so I can understand the fustration. Really though, when you go to Uni, its a fresh start, you shouldn't feel the need to explain yourself to anybody. What's the point? They should take you as you are and if they can't they are simply not worth it.
Um, Well it says I need to have had a recent asssessment, and i haven't, and i'm scared the gp won't give me one without paying. But i do not wanna pay £100!
Um, Well it says I need to have had a recent asssessment, and i haven't, and i'm scared the gp won't give me one without paying. But i do not wanna pay £100!
Your university arrange for the needs assessment. All you have to do is provide them with evidence of your disability (a letter).
DSA needs an recent assessment, I haven't ever had a full assessment.
Have you got in touch with your prospective uni about this? I'm pretty sure they send you for an assessment. I'm going to my docs tomorrow to get a letter for this very reason!
I have filled in an assessment for my university, but for Student Finance DSA, They require you to fill in a form with a doctors letter attached. I guess I could just ask for a letter, but I do need to inclose a date of recent assessment. Can i put this when I get a letter? And did you book an appointment or have you just asked them to write a letter?
I needed to see the doc anyway! I'm sure you can just ask them to write a letter as your details will be on file. I'm sure you don't have to worry about the date of the recent assessment. If you need clarification then give Student Finance a call or alternatively call your university's disability support team. I've been to 2 unis and both uni's departments are VERY, VERY helpful!
Thank u very much, if i hadn't already repped someone, i'd rep you. I shall try to remember to tomorrow
hahaha...i don't even know how to rep someone! I'm just happy to help as I understand it can be a difficult time, we make these things difficult for ourselves. It's a shame that we just can't start uni a week after being offered a place as that will save the 8 months of indecisiveness!!!
Lol Yes. Do you know where ur going? And u press the up and down thumbs next to a person.
cool...i've just practised on you!
I'm 26 so i have an unconditional offer for Liverpool Uni. I had to drop out the first time due to the operations on my right hand but they've now stopped me from bending my wrist (forever!) so I may as well go back to uni as my hand isn't as bad as it was and it's never going to get better than it is now!!!
We'll be alright. My biggest struggle is staying in work for another 8 months knowing I'll be leaving. I've NEVER handed in my resignation, usually walk out or have been made redundant!!! I HATE it with a vengeance!
DSA for learning difficulties needs a post 16 assessment, DSA for medical conditions usually only wants evidence that you still have your condition.
The best people to ask about whether they need a letter or assessment or a flying pig to confirm your eligibility for DSA are you LEA (local education authority) who are usually your county council. It's them that yuo send the application to and them who approves or rejects it so that way you'll definitely get the right answer for your area as there's a certain amount of regional variation.
If you've got a reasonably well understood medical condition then generally all you will need for your application is a dated letter from your GP briefly outlining the problem.
Hey i have an *invisible illness*lupus, and i suffer a lot from joint pain etc in my legs. When i started uni i was very anxious about trying to be as normal as possible, but then in the october i was really ill and since then I'm ill about 3-4 days a week and have to be careful on the other days.
Obviously I had to explain to my flatmates what was going on and they we're really understanding, they make sure they're quiet when im ill so I can sleep and offer to do stuff for me because they know i have difficulty walking. So i'd say its definitely worth explaining to people when you get there, I don't think they'll think your pathetic, but you might have to explain your illness as I had to because it's difficult for people to understand when they cant see that your ill.
Also, my uni have been really helpful sorting out my needs assesment DSA etc so as long as you get your doctors letter just saying the illness you have you'll be fine
Feel free to message me if you have any more questions or anything cause i think fibromyalgia is quite similar to lupus so I might be able to help with any questions
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