Hello my name is Jenelle. I am 20 years old and am still in the process of being diagnosed. I am currently attending college and shooting at a degree in biology.
My first year of college, I developed IBS and Costochondritis. Although I was in pain most of the time, I was able to push through with good grades.
During the middle of my second year is when things turned for the worse. I started having extreme pain on the left side of my body. The pain would always fluctuate, but it kept me from doing my best in school.
I took a leave of absence during the middle of spring quarter 2015 and I am not taking any summer courses.
I thought relaxing at home would get rid of the symptoms, but they have only gotten worse.
Now I have the pain on both sides of my body and extreme pain in my joints.
I have recently had a blood test that has tested for lupus and the Rheumatoid factor. However, everything turned out normal.
Part of me is glad that everything is normal, but part of me just wants an answer. A diagnosis.
Right now I am taking medical marijuana and glucosamine. But I cannot go back to college with only these medications.
My pain is unmanageable right now and I start school in less than a month. I fear I will not be able to go back. I fear that if I do go back, I may not be able to handle it.
Has anyone else experienced anything like this?
Any advice and support is appreciated 
-Jenelle
Hi Jenelle,
So sorry you’re having such a hard time. Do you have a primary care doctor at home or are you covered through college student healthcare? I would see if you could get referred to a specialist like a rheumatologist or neurologist to get you started on some medications to treat the fibro and get your pain under control. It can take some time though, most of the meds take a few months to work. Maybe you should sit down with your parents and your counselor at school to see if taking the next semester off to get a handle on your pain will work.
Are you able to take some of your classes online? That might be something to look into, would be physically easier than going to classes.
You also might check to see what type of special services your school has for people with disabilities. Most schools have strong programs and can help you make accommodations that otherwise wouldn’t be available to you. I know you probably don’t want to think of yourself as disabled, but you can consider it temporary. I was helped by such a program when I was taking some classes a few years back.
<3
Starr
Jenelle,
If it is possible I would recommend waiting for next semester. It is already to late for you to get all the paper work in for disability allowances. If you can start now getting all your ducks lined up for next semester. Of course you need a diagnosis before you can get the help and allowances so it may take a little longer. Remember it is easier to keep a GPA up than to build out up after it has slipped. Just don't give up on your dream.