My Backpack Is My Pharmacy
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

My Backpack Is My Pharmacy

I have learned to always be prepared for a flare-up.

29
My Backpack Is My Pharmacy
Sweety High

Nausea, dizziness, low blood pressure, pain, anxiety and panic attacks are the symptoms and reasons why I have a personal pharmacy in my backpack. They are the reasons why my backpack is my personal pharmacy.

I am a full-time student, which means I am on campus and away from my apartment on a daily basis. I have to have these certain medications in my backpack. I have to carry these medications with me on a daily basis otherwise, I can’t be a full-time college student. I wouldn’t have succeeded in college without my pharmacy in my backpack.

First, I would like to explain how lucky I feel that I am able to get these medications to help my symptoms. I am thankful, that I have “somewhat” found a good doctor that I can trust to provide care for me. Even though, I still feel like he doesn’t fullylisten to me. Or that he doesn’t fully understand me or my situation. Sometimes, I wish I would just tell him about my blogs that I write for. Then, maybe, just maybe, he would understand a little bit better.

Now, I would like to move on to saying how glad I am to have this backpack to carry around this mini pharmacy with me on a daily basis. It has literally saved my college career and future. As I said before, I wouldn’t be a full-time student if I didn’t or couldn’t carry around my medications with me every day.

My medications have saved me countless times in the middle of class, work, in between meetings and work, in between meetings and class, in between class and work, in the middle of meetings, etc. You get the picture.

It has also prevented me from going to the emergency room too. If I am on campus, in the middle of a flare-up or anxiety/panic attack, I NEED my medication. Like, I NEED it. Otherwise there is no getting better. That and rest, I usually need to rest.

I remember one flare-up in particular when I had forgot my medication, it was a nightmare. The flare-up came out of nowhere and I didn’t have my medication. Do you know how scared I was? I had no idea what to do! And I was alone. It was also soon after I was diagnosed, like I was probably only living with a diagnosis of POTs for about six months at the time. So, I was and still am very “new” at how I should take care of myself and what I should do in situations like that.

What I did was, I took a couple of deep breaths and tried to relax a little bit. However, this was very difficult, especially without medication to help my body get back into working again. Without medication to help regulate my autonomic nervous system again. My symptoms only continued to get worse and I didn’t feel strong enough to walk back to my dorm to get the medication, so I went into my First-Year Seminar Professors’ office since it happened to be a couple of feet away and she had known about my diagnosis.

Alice was very helpful. She kept asking me questions and distracting me from how I was physically feeling. She kept making sure I was breathing and reassured me that I “actually” didn’t look that well. Sometimes, when you are not feeling well, you actually do like to look like you are not feeling well. She said that I looked “woozy.” And I will never forget that for some reason.

At that time, she was the first professor to see me in the middle of a flare-up and she had no idea how grateful I was for her supportive words and just the fact that she cared and tried to help in anyway she could.

I ended up sitting in her office for almost an hour. We talked and she helped me feel a little bit better with the distraction. But also it gave me time to rest this flare-up “away” a little bit. I felt like I maybe had enough strength to walk about two blocks to my dorm without collapsing. And I did! She gave me the strength and confidence that I needed to “simply” walk to my dorm.

However, this only proves my point. And my point is, for everyone that lives with a physical or mental illness/disability needs to always be prepared. Always.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

71336
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

133439
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments