[Anonymous]

Anyone else having these problems? This Exam has really taken a toll on me:

1. Had to change and increase Antidepressant

2. Increased anxiety and worse sleep

3. Put on 25 pounds

4. Exhausted and tired most of the time

5. Almost no social life

6. Worse hygiene and less self-care

I am sincerely not trying to play the “poor me” card. I am just wondering if anyone else is having a similar experience? Hopefully, my last exam will be on September 10th and this brutal process will be over. I have learned a lot, but it has taken a toll.

Thanks for any feedback and goodluck to everyone.

[shawn in VA]

Sally-

I was legally prescribed antidepressant and XANAX after my 2-74's on BEC back to back. For me personally both meds “clear ” my mind and create a calm over me and to have more rational thinking. It has helped me in studying.

HOWEVER- according to a lot of friends of mine they claim XANAX makes them forgetful. Has not happened to me though. I have 2 MG tablets which is the highest dose ( I think). I plan to take 1 before the exam and one in my 15 min break assuming its allowed at the break.

[Anonymous]

@Sally

Thanks for your kind and encouraging words. I appreciate it.

XANEX is very effective if taken occasionally when you really need it. For example, I used to pop them like skittles when I had to give a presentation bc I was so nervous. But, you should be careful with them if taking them for long periods. They made me really hungry too, which was fine. They are mini tranquilizers if taken in large doses.

Antidepressant are strange bc they take time to build up in your system – usually 3-4 weeks. There are some negative side effects that usually wear off after a few weeks. They really help me a lot because I have OCD and some Apergers.

Goodluck everyone.

[ultrarunner]

@CPAIN2K17 That's what I did. I exercised a lot. I ran during my lunch break at work and signed up for distance races (5k to half marathon) at least once a month. I don't think that I was able to finish the exams without my exercise routine. Exercise helps relieve stress and refresh your body and mind.

I don't recommend taking medications. I drank energy drinks before my “failed” exams. Drugs, medications, or excess caffeine are bad for your brain. If you can, please stay away from them. Good luck to all!

FAR 72,67,79 (Roger+Wiley test bank)11/15
AUD 80 (Roger)10/15
BEC 80 (Roger)4/16
REG 63,78 (Roger+Ninja MCQs)5/16

[Anonymous]

Caffeine has been a god send, but terrible for my sleep. I can't work through MCQ's without it now! But, I do plan on consuming much less after this brutal exam process is over.

Goodluck.

[danko1983]

I started this in 2011….. The most parts I could ever pass at once was 2. Early last year I was diagnosed with ADHD and slow recognition response time (i.e. the normal person reads/reacts at speed x, i react at 2-3 times longer), which made sense because I had always known I've been an extremely slow reader. The doctor recommended accommodations (which at this point, I forgot was even a thing since I'd been doing it for so long) which were granted. Once I got the ADHD under control, what a difference that was. Minus getting married in the fall, I completely dropped off the face of the earth for the most part. I stopped going to the gym and put on bad weight. I'd still have some bad days attention span wise, but I'd try to fight through it. There were days where my brain would be mush, and as much as I tried, it wasn't like playing football in high school and being able to tell your body it wasn't hurt. There's no fooling your brain, you just have to rest it. Usually 3-4 weeks before a test I would get up, go to work, come home, study for a bit, eat dinner, maybe take a little nap, study until 2 or 3 AM, wake up, rinse and repeat. My wife being a nurse hated how little sleep I was getting (I looked terrible to be fair) but I knew what it took for me to pass, so I did it. I was still beating the hell out of my body, just in a different way. I never got anxious, depressed, or even nervous luckily, but basically any negatives were purely self inflicted. I'm currently waiting on my score to see if I'm finally done with this beast though.

BEC - exp 2/28/13 (crap)
AUD - exp 11/30/13

[lauren.wilson14]

Working out really helps me. I get up really early and go 3-5 times a week. Even if it's just 20 minutes on the elliptical or a long walk, it makes a huge difference.

[Jdn9201]

I feel sorry for those who are experiencing health issues because of this exam process. Thankfully, I've been done for over a year but thought I'd chime in. I definitely think medication has its place, but the gym is and was my therapy. one thing that helped me was listening/watching lectures on a Kindle while either walking on a treadmill or using the elliptical. It kept me relaxed which helped me to understand the material quicker and easier. Sleep is also very underrated. I went through this process being single, but I found the few times where I cut my sleep short to study more, I felt worse and lost more in efficency than I gained in raw time spent. Study time is very overrated – the hours do not matter if you are exhausted and have to read the same thing several times just to understand half of it. Lastly, I practiced alot of self visualization. Imagine yourself going through every detail, from reviewing to taking the exam, to imagining how you feel when you find out you passed. It might sound hokey, but it really helped me. I'd also say too.. try to remind yourself that (for the vast majority of us) your job isn't on the line if you don't pass and nothing is going to be worse if you don't pass. When you realize that your life really isn't on the line, I think it helps you to calm down and perform better.

BEC - 88 8/29/15
REG - 82 11/14/15
AUD - 83 1/8/16
FAR - 80 2/29/16

[Anonymous]

Some of us get thrashed in this whole process. I've never run up against so many roadblocks in my life as I have with the CPA exam process. Literally, everything has gone wrong with it. But, who is stronger, it or me? I'm not going to let it kill me because it's not human – and I am, and that gives me control over it. Having said that, I find it very sad that people have to go onto meds to get through the process. But, that's what the meds are there for. Some people just have a harder time with it, and that's a cold, hard fact. Some people luck out and get through it with no problems. It's really the luck of the draw, at least for the exam-taking part of it. Exactly *when* you take a section of the exam can make or break a passing score. And, it seems to get harder all the time. Just power through it and don't stop unless it really IS starting to kill you.

[Just_Trying_To_Pass]

I struggled with lack of energy and fatigue. I needed coffee (maybe 2 or 3) to get me going, but didn't like the jittery anxious feeling.

For some natural remedies (no prescription meds) – I highly recommend taking L-Theanine (helps with anxiety and mellows out the jittery feeling of caffeine). I also take some Omega-3 and B-complex supplements after breakfast and lunch. I feel like it has had a tremendous impact on my mood, energy, and anxiety. If I don't run or get any exercise during a stressful day (which is usually any day I study) it's hard to fall asleep at a decent hour.. So I also make it a point to at least get out for a 1-2 mile walk.

BEC: 70, 83
REG: 8/13/16
FAR:
AUD:

[alpal617]

Honestly yes. I had mono and I thought I was getting better until I started studying for this test. When I study my lungs start to hurt and my lymph nodes ache and I get headaches. Started to wonder if I had health issues for a while but then I realized its probably just some chronic fatigue getting exacerbated by studying hours and hours a day for the past eight months. Hopefully it gets better before I start work in September ughhh..

I've found that exercising, even if its just a good workout for 20 min a day, is EXTREMELY helpful!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all of your replies. I believe this exam process brings out a lot of preexisting conditions whether it's depression, anxiety, obesity, sleeping problems, etc. I'll be very happy when this process is over and I can start to focus on my health. I have made a lot of sacrifices to pass these exams. I'm sure everyone can relate.

Goodluck everyone and let's pray for some passing scores over the next few days!!!

[Tipofga80]

You're not alone. This process is manic for sure. I am super depressed, gained a lot of weight (either from drinking too much or stress), and I haven't been out in forever. Question why I keep doing this to myself but I'm not a quitter. Just gonna keep at it until I'm done.

REG - 77 (will lose in Jan 2016)

BEC - 67 74, 75

AUD - 56, 70, Will try again 🙁

FAR - ??

Save the beast for last.

[Tipofga80]

Reading all of your comments makes me feel a little better since I'm not alone. Anyone in Atlanta? If so, let's meet up for exercise, drinking, etc.

REG - 77 (will lose in Jan 2016)

BEC - 67 74, 75

AUD - 56, 70, Will try again 🙁

FAR - ??

Save the beast for last.

[Anonymous]

@Tipofga80

Exactly. “I am not a quitter.” Unless someone is truly a savant, you will need that attitude to get through these exams. I cannot tell u how many damn times I have wanted to quit. But, I pick myself up and say screw it, even through all the bullsh*t. I have had a lot of bitter-sweet moments during this exam process. All I know is that in a few yeas I should be making decent money and have a stable job! Along with more respect.

Goodluck my friend and I am in Cali. I'd rather be in the South though bc people are generally nicer and less superficial there.

[Author]

Replies