Top tips for living with IBD at university

Wondering how to cope with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) at university? Look no further! Simon Stones shares his top tips on living with IBD at university.

You can also read Simon's article on IBD and university for more help.

Top tips for coping with inflammatory bowel disease at university

1. If you move away from home to go to university, make sure that you register with a local GP
2. Know where to access specialist hospital services. It’s worth discussing with your gastroenterology consultant at home, who will be able to advise what to do
3. Find your local pharmacy, so you know where to get your medicines. If you are a student in the UK, you are likely be eligible for free or reduced prescription costs. Find out more information
4. If you take biologic medicines for your IBD, you should discuss with your medicine provider, family and consultant how best to get your medicines delivered to you ‐ whether that be directly to your university halls, or transferred from home. It’s really important that you keep taking your medicines, and keep them stored in the way that should be stored. Many of the biologic medicines need to be kept in the fridge, so you may wish to purchase a mini fridge to leave in your room so you know that they won’t go missing from the shared fridge in your university halls!
5. Provide your university with as much information as possible, so they can help you as much as they can. They aren’t mind readers, so you really must share how you are feeling, and how IBD affects your life. Nothing is too trivial
6. Don’t be afraid of saying no ‐ although it may seem a good idea to be out partying 7 nights a week, in reality, this is probably not going to work for you! Your health really is a priority, so try to think about that in advance of staying out till the early hours, and suffering for a week afterwards
7. Plan ahead, as best as possible, to reduce the stress you may be under, as this will hopefully help to reduce the impact of stress on your symptoms
8. Keep a healthy diet ‐ it’s an easy habit to rely on fast food and ready meals. Although your mum may not be there every day to serve you a delicious meal, it’s important for you to maintain a balanced diet
9. Keep in touch with people ‐ IBD can be isolating at times, so it’s important to keep talking and laughing ‐ they are two of the best medicines out there!