Becoming A Nurse and Having Fibromyalgia

Nurses General Nursing

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I really want some input into this before I go through another semester on my way to becoming an LPN. I have fibromyalgia and it was severe enough for me to go on total disability in 2001. I also have chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes and a host of other problems. I am currently getting ready to have gastric bypass in order to try and improve my health. Do any of you have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome? Are you able to nurse? Becomng a nurse was something I have always wanted to do and now I am so close to being accepted into this falls class. There are days when I really question if I can do this physically. Then I reason if I am going to be in pain I might as well go back to work at something I want to do so badly and just suffer through the pain. I am 54 years of age and have two sons ages 6 & 8. I really need some advice on this. I do have good days, just never know when those are going to be. Many, many thanks.

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hello.I myself suffer from a collapsed lumbar disc which keeps me in constant pain. do not want to be disabled .I know what you are feeling as I have been there. I figured that scense I work everyday I should be doing what I love. I am able to do everything that my nursing roll requires.The only differance between other nurses and myself, is that I have pain to deal with every day.As long as I can do my job, than my pain is a privet matter.I do not have fib or diabetis but my instructor has fib and cfs and works as a school nurse and as an instuctor.She does a great job.It is rough on her but she does it and loves what she does.One of my classmates has diabetis and chronic pain from nueropathy and he is working 12 hour shifts at very busy hospital and he manages pretty well. Find a MD. that treats fib., if you do not already have one. and join a fib/cfs group. There are many great forums on the net.I have meet several nurses working with these conditions and the secret to there success is that they find a routine that allows for rest and personal time that works with their busy lives and they follow it faithfully.If you want to you can do all the things you set your heart and mind to do.Good luck and feel free to e-mail or pm me and I can send you some links to info and groups that I am aware of .

Hugs,

Angela

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Specializes in general practice clinic.

I am 53, have fibromyalgia, have just finished LPN school and will take my NCLEX on FEB 1. Going to work was the best thing I ever did. I had a wonderful GP who told me "YOU control FMS, it does not control you". I have uncomfortable days and days when I'm so tired I don't know what to do. Being at work and keeping moving gives me more energy, and tramadol is a wonder drug for me. No one, except the APN I work for, knows I have FMS.

So, let this be some encouragement to you. You've already accomplished the hard part (2 young children! enough to tire anyone!) and you'll be surprised how much you can do, even with FMS.

Take care of your health, follow your doctor's guidelines for diabetes. Gastric bypass is a big step at this point in your schooling. You might consider putting that off til after you graduate, as you will be on your feet alot during clinicals. I lost 10# during nursing school myself.

best of luck to you

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I would hesitate to have gastric bypass w/ fibromyalgia. The stress of surgery will likely send you in to a flare up that will last for some time. Gastric bypass requires you to forever change the way you eat and relate to food, it is not a cure all. If you didn't have fibromyalgia I wouldn't be so against it but you know how badly stress affects fibro.

Movement, exercise, and eating well are the most proven remedies for helping improve quaity of life w/ firbromyalgia. And becoming more active would be a great example to set for your children. So will eating better.

There are little things you can do to improve eating habits such as:

Switch to non-fat milk.

Eat only egg-beaters eggs or egg whites.

Use turkey bacon and veggie sausage instead of the full fat/unhealthy "real" versions.

Make a promise to never eat another fried thing ever again.

If you drink sodas (yuck) switch to water or watered down fruit juice. It's gotten to where I can't stand the tast of full strength juice anymore. It's too sweet. And diluting it cuts the calories.

Splenda for sweetening!

Use only balsamic vinagrettes for salad dressings. Taste great and almost no calories per serving.

Eat a salad every day.

Use only swiss or skim mozzarella cheese. they have the least fat and calories of all the cheeses.

Just don't even buy unhealthy crap. If it's not in the house you won't eat it.

Exercise with your kids. Start walking around the block every night with them. Slowly increase the distance as you become more fit. You will be amazed at what good a little movement wil do for your stiffness.

Good luck, nursing school is doable, but you need to build some healthy habits first that will help you make it through school.

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Thanks for the replies. I am determined to do this. This has been a lifelong dream of mine and I am so close to reaching for it. I have already completed the CNA training, obtained BLS certificate. I am taking A&P, Life Span Growth & Dev and computer this semester which are all required in the LPN program. I found a site for nurses with disabilites which has helped me as well. I just wanted some input from those of you already in the ranks. You guys are great.:wink2:

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