New dx of "possible MS"

[CloudySue]

Hi, Folks, this has been a interesting month for me to say the least... I earned my LPN less than two years ago, and work in peds home health. I developed optic neuritis earlier this month, and am currrently going for all sorts of tests, as MS is strongly suspected. I am worried and uncertain for my future now. I was planning on continuing for my RN, but don't want to commit until I know if this is what they think it is, and how my body will progress... or not. I have had no weakness or cognitive problems, simply loss of vision in one eye which has mostly recovered now d/t IV steriod tx. I currently have a client who weighs 60 lbs, and I do a manual transfer with her. I'm afraid to tell my employer because they'll insist I use the Hoyer, and the family is very resistant to that. I did tell the family everything and promised to tell them if I experience any muscle weakness. They are very supportive and don't want to lose me. Anyone working w MS and not telling their employer? Any comments, suggestions, etc. on how to ease into working life with MS? Not sure what my general idea here is for my post, just wanted to get it out there. Not sure what to do or how to feel.

[kids]

I'm afraid to tell my employer because they'll insist I use the Hoyer, and the family is very resistant to that. I did tell the family everything and promised to tell them if I experience any muscle weakness. They are very supportive and don't want to lose me.

In the future do not share the information with the family you are working with, I did peds pvt duty for a lot of years, I know it's 'different' but disclosing that information is crossing a professional boundary. The family shouldn't be put in a position to have to worry about their nurse's health or ability to care for their child.

That said, I'd go for the RN asap, a BSN if possible but if not I'd lay the groundwork to go back for it after an ADN. It will open the door for more opportunities and flexibility given the uncertain nature of MS.

Good luck.

[CloudySue]

Hi, I just noticed that I never followed up on this post. Just wanted to thank people for their concern, advice, and good wishes. I wanted to follow up with an update... in May I had a lumbar puncture which came up negative. The neurologist could not give me a dx at that time. He estimated that with the symptoms I had presented with (optic neuritis and only one lesion on my brain but nothing spinal) I may have only a 15% chance of developing MS in my lifetime. It is 9 months later and I have had no other symptoms other than that optic neuritis. (Knock wood!)

Incidentally, I did some poking around in research studies and discovered that there is a slight correlation between amoxicillin usage and optic neuritis. I had taken a round of it for strep thoat about 6 weeks earlier. So, there's that. Who knows if that caused it or not, but I've been eating healthier, taking more supplements and exercising more. I've lost 15 lbs. It was a good wake up call to take better care of myself. Thanks again, everyone!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Thanks for getting back. I am glad you are feeling better. MS can come and go with LONG periods between flairs leaving little to no permanent deficits. Even if it turns out eventually to be MS.......If you are symptom/disability your I would keep it t for a awhile and not feel so obligated to include your place of employment. It can be YEARS before you'll have trouble doing manual tasks. I worked as a flight nurse diagnosed with MS.....it was years after diagnosis that I was having an increased disability that was becoming noticeable when I started being out casted from the profession.

Good Luck!