this week under my doctors orders I have been asked to drop out of college and maybe the stress on the body was too much for me to handle! But In the last few weeks, I'm not sleeping, not eating properly and energy levels are 0!
I was wondering if others have had to give up college/ work due to the fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue!
Thanks
Hi Katie,
I am sorry to hear you are having such a rough time off it,sometimes the hardest decisions can make us feel so releaved. With out the added pressure you will get better 
Remember we are here if you need someone to talk to.. You can always go back to your studies later. I did much later ... Get better, rest take care of yourself,
Gentle hug
xginsing
Administrator
Hi sorry to hear this has your gp given u some meds to help carm thing down for you and supporting u through this bad patch u r having . If not go back to a gp that has a greater knowledge of your condition good luck .
Hi Katie
I managed with great difficulty to do an Access course as an older pupil it took a year but i made some great friends and i loved it. This got me into university to study criminology but the uni was 35 miles away and i lasted until christmas the first time as my right hand got so bad i had to have surgery on it. So under extenuating circumstances I had to stop and decided to try again the following september which i did and the same happened i had to quit due to my health and the travelling. My dreams from a very young age was to be a nurse and i got into train as one way back in 1980 but my knees were so painful that i was medically retired from my training a short while before taking my finals.
It can be difficult you could try the open university as you can do many subjects through that. Its worth a look.
Take care
Jackie
Hi Kate it must being flustaking to leave your college/work but at the end of the day your health comes first. If your GP orders you to finish your GP must have a prefect reason for doing this. Have you ever always had stress, It is some thing that can't be cured over night even if it means hang massage from the NHS.When you feel a little bit better have you ever thought about doing courses at home. The courses work are in your time and if you do decide you want to do it go on line to ask about a question someone explains it. I found it an excellent choice and it is free on a large amount of courses. The questions and your papers are downloaded. Go on free download quality information and you will see loads of free course is. I,m taking law which I am in my final year next year with, and you can do with in reason it keeps the brain an working.
You are bound to feel low in yourself if you are eating , if you don't eat complications towards your own body may occur. See your GP if you are still not right and tell the GO of that dreaded fatigue . GooD Luck and take bare....GEOFF1956
health is first but please do not think you are giving up just postponing. It may seem very dark now but the tunnel does have an end and while sleeping can be hard resting and eating properly are easier.
I use to run a support group and those who kept hold of their dreams even if they have to modify them are better. What about part time course? Gentle hugs 
Hi Katie I'm really sorry that you've had to give up college I had to give up work because of my fibro I was so tired couldn't really do anything very much but also I have ruptured disc in my spine so all in all I had to give up I do hope that things progress well for you and that you're able to carry on your studies even if it's from home for awhile take care and good luck for the future
Hi Katie, I was 3/4 of the way through a masters at uni, I got to the stage I could not pick up a book let alone read it, use a kindle now and still have trouble. It took me a while to accept it, but something else will come along. Gentle hugs.
Hi Katie, I'm sorry you've had to abandon your studies, it may only be a temporary measure, especially if you're a young sufferer, I had to give up my work 12 years ago at the age of 43, I found it very frustrating, as I hate being on benefits & not contributing, but I had to surrender & acknowledge I am not able, which I still find hard to admit to! I won't be able to gp back to work but what I have done is get to swimming, as being in the pool supports the body taking the weight of the muscles & joints even if you can't swim walking up & down the pool is pain free movement & gentle exercise & in time will strengthen you a little which will help you cope a bit better it is also good to be in a sociable situation, which is a morale boost which help you improve also. Take care gentle hugs xx
Hello Katie,
Sorry to hear you're having to leave college, I'm currently going through the process of deciding the same (I've been told to either drop 3 of my 4 A levels due to the stress and my current health or drop them all, my choice). I would suggest seeing a careers advisor (I'm seeing one today) and having a look into online courses, I was quite surprised to see that there is actually quite a lot of choices, the good thing about these is that you can do the work at your own pace and not have to worry about traveling. The only issue I've found is the cost, Im not entirely sure if as its due to health reasons you have to do the online course instead of college that the government would either help pay or pay entirely as I have yet to contact my local council to discuss benefits ect, I'm not sure where you're located but it might be an idea for you to contact yours to have a chat and see if they would help out.
Again I really am sorry to hear you're going through this too, it's a horrible thing to have to decide and I'm sure it's the last thing you ever wanted to even have to think about, and even though it's meant to bring down stress the worry of what to do next doesn't help either. The only thing I would say (and it's going to sound cheesy) is not to give up, and if you need help ask for it, honestly I was a mess when they told me but I've been offered so much support not only from the people close to me but the sixth form as well.
I really do wish you the very best for the future and I hope things turn out good in the long run
Hi, sorry to hear you have had to give u your college course. I was medically retired in 2009. The main reason was my fibromyalgia. I also have asthma, and was diagnosed with a heart condition before I retired. Even though it was a very difficult decision, my health was so bad that I had no choice. You can try and build a different kind of life for yourself. Maybe try part time courses for studying. I have found accupuncture very helpful for my fibromyalgia, and deep tissue massage. When you feel a little better, try and do some regular exercise. It will really help. Good luck, and all the best for the future.
Don't despair, Katie, it took three attempts for me to get my first degree (11 years altogether!), in the end I finished it by changing to part-time for the second 2 years of the degree which made it more manageable.
After that I was able to do my Masters in a year, but I was a lot better then. I went on to teach at the university (part-time) and do a PhD, but I had to give up teaching whan I was in my 40s as my health took a real nosedive. Now I'm a writer and still do a little bit of teaching at home on a freelance basis.
So you never know what the future holds. I think the main thing is to be ready to take advantage of any times you feel stronger, and try to find 'work arounds' for when things are bad.
I do hope you get the opportunity to do things you find rewarding (whatever they may be) in ways that don't tax your strength too much.
Sending you warmest good wishes for better health and for peace of mind.
Lots of love, Mim x
Hi
I had to give up work and college.
I worked full time and studied college part time as I wanted to change my career.
I had to give up both and it was hard.
I tried to go back to college but I could not manage it.
Yes, I have had to give up 2 jobs now. It is a drag. I'm trying to supplement my income doing something flexible from home but it won't generate the income I used to get nor will it provide a pension or paid holiday or any training paid for.
However, if you are studying- is there anyway you can study online or only go in part of the time? Perhaps even do the course in shorter chunks so the pressure is not so great.
It is the frustration of not being able to get on with your life that is difficult to deal with.
Try not to give up- if you are studying, however little, it will keep your interest up and courses are becoming more flexible all the time.
Best of luck with it all. I hope you find a way to gain the qualifications you need.
There are comments about doing on-line courses- You need to check out student support at your college. If you are under 19 and are trying to get A levels- I think they should be free but not sure about online but there are grants to help.
If you are over 24- try the 24 + loans you can read about them here:
gov.uk/advanced-learning-lo....
Don't give up even if you can only do a little at a time!
Yes work got rid of me they said that it was down to capabilitys, so three years on I'm actually doing ok started my art work project and now sell world wide so sometimes giving up on something can result in a positive outcome. Your college should be able to support you with this disability don't let your doctor dictate to you In this way, he should be supporting you not deterring you from your education. I had been on tramadol for three year but now the medication had to stop as its only ment for short term pain only thing was my RLS started now that's been sorted I can honestly say coming off the Tramadol was the best result I could have hoped for yes I still have to have medication for pain but the highs and lows that Tramadol create aren't worth having it. Try walking before you go to college get those endorphs going you will notice the difference. Hope this has help a bit. Just remember dropping out of any education could have a huge impact on your future.
I gave up work at 50 on doctor's advice, just after starting an Open University degree. I carried on with it and managed to get a degree in literature in 2008. The OU were brilliant with disabled students and provided me with lots of support and also some equipment.
So sorry to hear your news about having to finish your college course but it is best to follow your GP's advice and take care of yourself. You are so young with all your future ahead of you. By resting and recuperating now hopefully you will recover enough to carry on with your chosen studies in the future you have all your life ahead of you to do that. Others suggestions to possibly do an online course at your own pace is very good advice. I had to give up a career I loved because of ill health after a year of struggling to get back to work. I hated it at the time and still miss it but it is a marvellous relief to know that on my bad days I can take life easy and then on my better days I try to get the most out of life that i can. Be kind to yourself this is just a temporary blip in your life which hopefully with the support of others you will get through. Keep in touch with us and let us know how you are doing. Soft hugs.x
Hi Katie1111111
I just wanted to say how sorry I am to read that and I want to wish you all the best of luck.
All my hopes and dreams for you
Ken x
Sorry this has happened to you had so hoped it would work out 
I stopped working last jan ,thought it was just going to be a couple of weeks ,9 months later ,and pain clinic I am know feeling pretty good some days ,I don't push myself anymore just take it a day at a time ,take care xx
i there
I suffer from Lupus and Chronic Fatigue is one of my symptoms.
When I was studying I was not diagnosed however I now realise that I was defiantly suffering from fatigue back then. I actually ended up failing the 1st I then had to take a year out before changing university that was closer to my parents so I could move back home.
It seems hard but use this time to give your body a rest and come up with a game plan.
I’m not sure what you are studying but perhaps enquiring about part time or online courses in the mean time.
In the meantime keep your head up and concentrate on getting better
As my mother says it aint over till it’s over
I'm slightly in the same situation I have needed a number of days off college my lecturers are fine just the bursary office that don't see my illness as a reason to be off. I'm still battling with them!
In you're situation you're health comes first though and there is absolutely no shame in leaving! Would you not prefer your health to improve or at least ease the pain with rest. There might be a way to continue your studies part time or I'm another route depending what it is you do.
The action for M.E website has a support section with a helpline. actionforme.org.uk/get-help...
This information might be of help and also the support and advice sections they have a Facebook page too
All the best to you x
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