Any nurses DX with MS?? Need support

[galenight, BSN, RN]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this or not, but here goes.

I was diagnosed with MS about 5 months ago. I think, as the saying goes, that too much knowledge can be a dangerous thing. Being a nurse for 8+ years, I've seen a number of MS patients and I've done enough reading on the subject before and after diagnosis that I certainly don't like what I may be in for. I know that not everyone progresses to wheelchair among other disabilities, but given my symptoms already, I'm a bit freaked out. I'm still able to work without much problem.... as long as total and complete fatigue and exhaustion isn't a problem and my other symptoms are more or less managable.

Question is, are there any other nurses here who are dealing with MS? Still working?? Any tips or tricks for symptom management? particularly related to work? I work 12 hour shifts in a small rural ER. That doesn't mean we aren't busy, but not as busy as a level one trauma center.

So thanks in advance for any words of advice!

[ValerieB]

I'm a nurse that also has MS. I was diagnosed 5 years ago. My best advice to you is get a good neurologist and start taking one of the MS drugs. I am currently taking Betaserone by sub q injection every other night. I'm one of the mildly affected patients and able to work 12 hour shifts in an acute care hospital ( med-surg). I occasionally have spasms, numbness and pain, but have learned to deal with them. There are medications out there to help with these symptoms. There are at least four MS medications out there to help decrease the time between "exacerbations" and that's the key. I consider myself lucky in that I had a great doctor and when I was first "sick", he sent me to physical and occupational therapy. That really helped me and I'm doing very well. I hope this helps. Good luck to you...

[galenight, BSN, RN]

Thanks for the support Valerie and the one who sent me a private message. I guess I didn't mention that I am taking Avonex weekly. I do have a neurologist I like for the most part although a bit surprised by the lack of frequency in seeing her since dx is new. saw her for consult, saw her after spinal tap, then after one month of avonex... now not again for 6 months... didn't have high dose steroid at onset, although I had had symptoms for about 4 months before diagnosis. Maybe it was too late to her thinking... therefore I have had active disease for nearly 9 months. I am much better the last 6 weeks, but still some symptoms... maybe they are residual. who knows

[Kyriaka]

I dont have MS, but I do have Chronic Lyme Disease.

Much of a chronic illness (MS, Lupus, Lyme, ect) is attitude. Believe me, it matters.

But also realizing that you will have good days and you will have bad days.

sometimes a diagnosis is the beginning of a whole new way of thinking.

[manna, BSN, RN]

One of my nursing school instructors (for lecture AND clinical) has MS. I believe she also works part-time as an NP in an orthopedic clinic.