Fibro and Nursing

[DdRN1287]

I have been a nurse for almost 5 years now. And it's been roughly 6 years since I found out I had fibromyalgia. A few years ago I was also diagnosed with narcolepsy. ( I don't fall asleep like you see on tv, I'm just extremely tired all the time)

I'm struggling being chronically ill and working as a nurse.

Floor nursing is crazy hard on my body and I feel so worn out after working. I want to be able to work and provide for my family and do everything else life demands of me at the same time. . I just feel like I can't keep up. It's very frustrating.

Any advice from others who have experienced anything similar is much appreciated. Anything at all that has helped them with fatigue, pain, anxiety/ depression. Especially, I want to know how to cope with it all. Thanks so much in advance.

[poppycat, ADN, BSN]

I don't have fibro but I do have rheumatoid arthritis. Extreme fatigue goes along with it, too. I was diagnosed almost 5 years ago & had to make some big adjustments in my life. I went from working 4 nights a week down to 3 (some weeks 3 almost kills me). I also learned very quickly how to say "no". I've always been the type of person who will help everyone any way I can even if it meant I wasn't taking care of myself. I suddenly found myself unable to keep up with what everyone else needed.

The most important thing I learned was to listen to my body. If I'm tired, I take a nap or at least rest. Other than work, I try not to schedule things. I found that when I schedule things, I tend to get anxious about whether I'll feel well enough to keep the appointment. I now do a lot of things on the spur of the moment.

[HyzenthlayLPN]

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2000. The first 6-7 year were horrible. I became completely unable to work in 2004 (I was a case worker in a Welfare to Work program). My fibromyalgia mysteriously went into partial remission in early 2007 (no idea why)

I started LPN school in 2010 and have been working as an LPN since July 2011. I worked as a charge nurse in LTC/SNF for a little over a year then did private duty nursing with pediatric special needs patients for almost 2. I then became an MDS Nurse in a LTC/SNF. I just recently laid off and have found my way to a position as a nurse for a local school district.

I am not able to work as a charge nurse any more due to pain (I can't stand for long) but I was fine doing home health visits and I am okay with administrative work.

There are many opportunities in nursing...even when dealing with a chronic illness. You may want to explore other opportunities...starting with your current employer.

Also visit your health care provider :) In addition to fibromyalgia I have hypothyroidism which exacerbates the pain and fatigue. I hope thing improve for you very soon

[Garden,RN, ASN, RN]

I have had it since before it had a name, I think my mom did too. It has not been easy. I also have trigeminal neuralgia. I have gone to several doctors but with all the healthcare changes it has been impossible to get an actual treatment. I just recently found a doctor that he just makes it easy. I am feeling much hope. I don't think I could work on a floor at this time in my life. I have taken some time off from working now to focus on my health. I also have IBS and the last couple of years on my day off, I would be throwing up, taking advil, heating pads, you name it, just trying to get myself together for the next work day, or night. I have done this for years and feel like my body is very fragile. This last time it has taken me longer to spring back up. I try to exercise, yoga, walking and gardening, but I am talking slow motion and I pray a lot. I am not giving up, there has to be an answer to this. The doctor just started me on some meds and for the next couple of weeks or months, I will be seeing him every two weeks for adjustment. He is running some tests. I think you should consider either cutting down you hours or doing something else in nursing although nothing is easy when you don't feel well. Do for yourself the things we learn in school, lifestyle changes to manage chronic illness, self-care. One of the most frustrating things for me has been accepting that I had this. I didn't believe it existed. For years I wondered how others were so much stronger than me. I have questioned myself endlessly, why wasn't I a better mother, nurse, this or that. I joined this support group online. I go there once in awhile, not too often. One of the things that finally gave me some resolution was how similar the stories were. People from all walks of life and anywhere in the world, all with the same experience. It has given me some peace and I have given myself permission to be ill. I think the depression comes from the frustration of wanting to do but not being able to and no answer. One of the things that works is getting plenty of sleep and deep sleep. Try a rheumatologist some are having results and try the support groups. There are plenty of nurses there, not many answers but it helps a bit.

[freesia29, ASN, RN]

I have just been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis. I quit working last October due to pain and extreme fatigue. I am an LPN and was planning to go back to school for RN, but I am not feeling very positive that this will improve enough for me to return to nursing. Not just for the long days on your feet, but also being constantly surrounded by various viruses, and constantly getting sick. It started with EBV a few years ago.....is it worth risking your own health? DH gets angry at me now every time I mention going back to school or even working right now. Stressing its time to take care of myself.