I have sarcoidosis

[nursedbm]

I just figured out today that I am having a flare of sarcoidosis and the resulting e. nodosum. I am guessing it is stress since next Monday I start RN school. I have my LVN but went straight back to school without working as LVN. A lot of my old classmates are working nights as LVN and it is very hard on them and they are a lot younger than me (I will be 43 this month). I worry about my ability to work med surg right out of school and if I plan on getting further education like BSN and eventually my masters, does it really matter where I start? One of my old LVN classmates who just got her RN is working in a drug rehab place and she really likes it. How much are we really hurt if we don't start out med surg? I would hate to try it and fail. (Although I know if I don't try it, I will never know.) Any suggestions on anything - specializing, e. nodosum, sarcoidosis, etc. - would be greatly appreciated.

I see my PCP tomorrow. He is very new to me and actually has never treated me for a problem - only did my physical and pap smear. He seems a little flippant and I am not sure how he will treat me tomorrow when I say to him "I know I have a flare of sarcoidosis" when I have nothing to back me up paperwise. Sarcoid is primarily in the lungs but most cases have a secondary too and mine in epithelial which is causing lesions in old scar tissue in my feet and I have an e. nodosum lesion right on the top of my left foot already. I am afraid he won't treat me appropriately. I can't get in to see a rheumatologist until September and I -have- to go to my PCP to get a referral because of my insurance. I am just frustrated/scared/tiredofthis because I start 13 hour clinicals on Wednesday. Any advice about anything would be appreciated. I am having so much indigestion now I have diarrhea almost every time I eat. (boy, won't steroids make that better..../sarcasm)

[ramagirl]

hi,

just wanted to encourage you to go for it. i too have sarcoid (stage i) and was older when i started nursing school. i took care of three kids, a house, worked overnights on the weekends, and drove my husband to work daily. it was hard but so well worth it. i hated hospital nursing, lasted only 6 months, just not for me and my personality. i work with developmentally disabled adults in a sheltered work center monday-fri 8-3. pay's not as good but everyday my guys make me smile. i have a great pulmonologist who is in charge of my sarcoid. hope your doing your yearly eye exams. i made great friends in school who still give me great support. i hope you continue, even when it's hard. i truly believe you'll be glad you did.