<p>Hello! :)
So recently I was diagnosed with chronic pain disorder. I have been dealing with this since september/october of junior year. The toll that my pain has taken on me is tremendous. I have developed anxiety and wouldn't be surprised if I also am developing depression (I cry atleast once a week). Unfortunately my pain extends from my finger tips to my neck. It will sometimes even spread into my legs even though most of the pain is in my hands/wrists. I know in the fall I will have the 504 plan and get accommodations on the SAT/ACT, but what will colleges think about my junior year? My cumulative gpa isnt the best (3.5 uw) and my SAT scores are atrocious (1650) but I did all of this without having an official diagnostic. </p>
<p>Also, my gpa for freshman year is horrible (2.8 first semester and 3.0 second) but thats because i wasnt adjusting well. After freshman year I rose my gpa each semester to almost a 4, and had honors/ap classes junior. Even though my junior grades were 10x better than my freshman year grades, will they still take into consideration my situation?</p>
<p>I'm not sure if what I am asking is clear (I cant think really well right now...im in alot of pain atm) but can someone please help me? I need guidance :/</p>
<p>thanks ahead of time! :3</p>
<p>I am so sorry you are in pain. Have doctors determined the cause?</p>
<p>@wisewalnut, as part of your Common Application, your school Guidance Counselor (GC) writes one of the recommendation letters. In this letter, the GC can explain any extenuating circumstances or situations in your life. Her/His letter is the place where she/he can explain your recent diagnosis and how the pain has affected your studies. </p>
<p>You mention that you have a 504. Have you and your parent had a meeting with your college guidance counselor? They are usually in school over the summer and you can set up a meeting with the GC, you and your parent/guardian. In the meeting you can certainly explain all of your concerns about the college process to the GC and see if they recommend anything additional.</p>
<p>Not sure if that helps. Is your question mainly about the college application process, or how to manage in senior year with your 504, or about the Chronic Pain disorder itself?</p>
<p>Like @scholarme, I am so sorry that you are going through this and experiencing this pain. I realize that you have been diagnosed with Chronic Pain. Please also consider going to a neurologist to see if there is any cause for the pain which may be associated with a problem with the nerves running from your hand through your arm. It is prudent to get a second opinion, also.</p>
<p>Also, there are support groups, usually associated with a central hospital. The support groups are specific to the type of illness or chronic disorder. They typically meeting once a month. Consider going to one of the meetings of the Chronic Pain Disorder support group. You will see that you are not alone in experiencing this pain. You can also hear how other members of the group cope with the pain and some of the ideas that they have for dealing with different things in everyday life.</p>
<p>WiseWalnut, you have been dealing with a lot during Junior year. Junior year is a tough year in general and you achieved a lot! A 3.5 uw GPA is a really good GPA, and you accomplished it all while experiencing this terrible pain, with the worry of not having a diagnosis or knowing the cause, and with going through the medical process of finding out. You should be very proud of yourself. </p>
<p>Hey, @wisewalnut, you can PM me if you want to talk about anything. I have chronic pain too (AMPS, full body) and I’m a rising senior girl who was also diagnosed fall of junior year. I know it can be awful and people don’t understand because we don’t LOOK sick. I’m planning on having my guidance counselor explain my circumstances a little, without sounding like a pity case. </p>
<p>I’m not sure what your diagnosis was, but if you want to talk over PM, there are some experimental treatments for chronic pain out there, one of which I did the beginning of junior year. It can be cured in children and teens. I also went gluten free recently and that made a huge difference.</p>
<p>Don’t give up. Be proud of yourself. You’ve accomplished so much already.</p>
<p>I’d say to tell the colleges or do what @glittervine did and have the GC or Principal tell the schools. Keep pushing, you’ll get into that dream school (:</p>
<p>Hi, wisewalnut… Seeing this post really broke my heart. I know how you feel. I have Crohn’s Disease–a really bad autoimmune disorder in my digestive system. I’m a 15 year old who weights about 90 pounds–it’s not fun and I know, I know, I KNOW it sucks. It seems like it affects your life when you don’t want it to, and it takes a toll on your everyday activities and sets you apart. I understand sooo much, like you have no idea how much I do. No matter what, they WILL definitely take your situation into consideration. It is not something light, they will definitely understand. If they don’t, then I don’t want to live in this generation anymore. </p>
<p>It should definitely be a part of your college essay. And definitely not for them to pity you, not at all!!! It’s a part of your life and you should be able to talk about it. We all have something in our life that motivates us and inspires us. I’m only a sophomore, and you’re already inspiring me. I’m so proud of you about your junior year! That’s a great milestone to accomplish, when you’re dealing with what you have. Having a health situation is not fun at all. </p>
<p>I understand your perspective as well. I myself am concerned about how colleges will understand. I have literally no extracurricular as sports or athletics or exercise. I know, that sounds crazy–almost everyone has it. But can’t because of Crohn’s. And as if things couldn’t get worse, I do NG tube feeding overnight and take it out in the mornings before school. It’s like living a double life. I know how you feel more than anything.</p>
<p>So I just want you to know that no matter what, things will get better. There is always a rainbow at the end of a storm and the dark tunnel doesn’t last forever. I’m not going to be cliche, I’m being earnest because I know the emotions and feelings you go through. You will be successful, I KNOW IT. 
</p>
<p>Feel free to message me any time. I am here for you, as are all of us. </p>
<p>-Sally</p>
<p>wow omg super sorry I didnt know anyone had replied!!! Thank you guys so much for your support :’) @scholarme i have a chronic pain disorder. @busyperson at my school we cant meet our counselors in the summer. I believe my question is about the college process! Actually the doctor that diagnosed the pain disorder said the pain is from my nerves. @glittervine wow thats crazy!!! I will definitely be PMing you. @KimberlyLaila aww thanks i really hope so! heck i hope i can even handle college lolol @SallyStephens OMG i am so sorry that is happening to you! 
thanks for all of your support! kind words really help me get through the extra rough days :)</p>
<p>Hi wisewalnut, I meant what do the doctors think is the condition associated with your chronic pain? Is it an injury, a spinal misalignment, a disease like arthritis or lupus or fibromyalgia, etc? Sometimes it is difficult for doctors to determine this, and I hope that they are helping you find out what is causing your pain.</p>
<p>@scholarme ah I see. Well to be honest we aren’t 100% sure what started this 
not even the doctors. All we know is that I did in fact have an injury but whatever I had is healed but I’m still hurting I went to a rheumatologist and they said I don’t have any diseases</p>
<p>Also I know I should be asking for accommodations on the sat, but i dont think extended time will help me.</p>
<p>Wisewalnut, maybe you and your parents could look into an acupuncturist. Good acupuncturists can help with pain brought by mis-healed injuries. Many insurance plans will cover at least some of this. The tricky part will be finding a good one - look for word of mouth. Happy patients are usually very enthusiastic about a practitioner.</p>
<p>Look into chronic regional pain syndrome (crps). Acupuncture might help; so can meditation, a change in diet, and physical therapy.</p>