Any nurses out there with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

KaroSnowQueen, RN · Jul 18, 2004

I don't have CFS, but probably have fibromyalgia according to my doc, she is working on ruling out anything else right now. Working 3 12's beats 5 8's any day with this. I figure I'm already there, my day is ruined, just do it and get over it. :rolleyes:

Some days I'm very productive,, and others are welll.....get by and do the best I can. I know I'm usually more sharp minded :idea: between 7 and 10, and again between 1 and 4, so try to get a lot of work done then.

Some weeks I spend most of my days off napping. :zzzzz I try not to schedule appointments on the day after I work, try to save them for when I have at least a couple days off in a row. And if that turns out to be a bad day, well then, I have to reschedule and deal with it.

It has been 7 years that I have been dealing with it, and you learn to adjust and deal with it. I wish you luck in your new career :nurse: and learning to deal with work and CFS!!!

circa68 · Jul 18, 2004

My son had a bad case of mono in high school. The doc said it only lasts about a week-acutely. His seemed to last for 3 years! He tested + for mono 3 different years on his labs. He also developed IBS in his senior year. He seemed tired out all three years. He seemed better after he graduated high school--he didn't like school so I thought maybe that was 1/2 of it. Two years after high school he joined the Marines. Last year while he was deployed to Kuwait, he collapsed twice. I don't know if it had anything to do with the mono or not or if it was just dehydration (most likely). They just run Iv's and antibiotics for 24 hrs and let you stay in bed. But it seems to me that once he decided to join up he got really physical running and lifting,etc and that is when he seemed to start feeling his best. However, all of a sudden he still will get hit with severe fatiqe and it seems to last for several months. Is he getting mono over and over again? Or does he have CFS?

ER-RN2 · Jul 18, 2004

I have a chronic disease and I work night shift. I try not to work more then 2 shifts in a row. I just get too tired. When I am off I usually sleep most of the time. I feel like I never get enough sleep-that's probably due to both working at night and having IC.

KaroSnowQueen, RN · Jul 18, 2004

Circa68, sounds like he might be a potential CFS/FM. I had mono in 88, was sick as a dog with it, on bedrest for 3 weeks (with a 3 yr old at home no less), and took me really about 3 years to get over it, would have relapses where all I could do was sleep and work and come home and collapse. Now have FM, and I personally think it was quite related.

luvbug9956 · Jul 18, 2004

Circa68:

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has a huge array of signs and symptoms. There are many websites out there with "checklists" so you can see if your son's match. When I was visiting my doctors when I had mono, they stated that with mono, sometimes any high stress situation or illness such as cold or flu can bring back mono symptoms. This sounds more like your son. CFS also has remissions and exacerbations, but there are few days where you truly feel "normal". IBS is one of the common symptoms of CFS. I too continue to have a postitive monospot test, and its been two years. Unfortunately CFS is a diagnosis of exclusion because there is no true test specifically for it...I went through an array of time-consuming and uncomfortable testing...barium enemas, blood work, I mean, lots of stuff. He should still see a physician...but beware...many docs dont "believe" in this diagnosis. It may take some doctor shopping to find someone who will believe you and not tell you its "all in your head". Lots of info can be found on the web regarding CFS.

Good Luck

GR8FUL · Jul 18, 2004

I have chronic active Epstein-Barr virus as well as Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.

I have recently graduated and focused on finding a job that is days only. It really limited the number of hospitals I could work in, but for me it is essential not to mess with my circadian rhythms. If I consistently go to bed at 10 and get up at 6, pay attention to my thyroid meds and eat regularly (I use Balance Gold bars q4 hrs during my shift if I can't get a regular meal in) then I do well. I will be trying hard to keep my shifts every other day, though I'm required to work every third weekend. That, I hope will be the worst it gets.

Good luck with finding the right job for you!

circa68 · Jul 19, 2004

Thanks Karo Snow Queen and Lovebug. I will search the sites,and keep the potential CFS/FM in mind. Right now he is Marine for 2 more years and he has gone in with some complaints to the medic but he says there really is no medical care. I guess you just suck it up there. It looks like he is going to Iraq soon so I can only pray for the best. Boy '88 was a long time ago, I thought once you got over mono that was it, but there are so many chronic things that only get diagnoised by elimiantion. I can see that there could be a relationship there. And I hear you about stuff like this not being taken seriously by some doctors.

danak · Jul 20, 2004

I was also wondering how those with chronic conditions schedule their shifts. It was interesting to hear everyone's stories.

I urge you to look into getting your son tested for Lyme disease-not just any doctor and not just one test. Get him to go to a specialist. There is a good website: www.jemsekclinic.com that has a lot of good info. Many times tick-borne illnesses go undiagnosed or have false negatives which can cause chronic illness with a myriad of symptoms. People, including doctors, don't take these illnesses serious enough...I know from personal experience.

I hope all works out for him and yourself.

Thanks Karo Snow Queen and Lovebug. I will search the sites,and keep the potential CFS/FM in mind. Right now he is Marine for 2 more years and he has gone in with some complaints to the medic but he says there really is no medical care. I guess you just suck it up there. It looks like he is going to Iraq soon so I can only pray for the best. Boy '88 was a long time ago, I thought once you got over mono that was it, but there are so many chronic things that only get diagnoised by elimiantion. I can see that there could be a relationship there. And I hear you about stuff like this not being taken seriously by some doctors.

msmention58 · Sep 14, 2007

I also suffer form CFS and some days it's very difficult but I push myself. I currently work in a fetal testing unit, so my days aren't so bad. Unfortunately I'm relocating to Florida and chances of me finding a similar job is very slim. I'm very nervous about this move. Any one with any suggestions please let me know. I'm moving to Ocala

CHATSDALE · Sep 14, 2007

i take otc meds, aleve, motrin, apap on a bid basis because i can't take any stronger drugs

i also take vitamins b12 and multi vit/min

you will need something so that you sleep well, md told me that most people with fm/cfs do not go into deep rem sleep and that is one reason why you wake up tired

do daily walks even if you like crap..they really do help

freequently once you are at work and in the swing of things the momentum will carry you thru

you are right that 3 12s is easier to do then 4 or 5 8s