Lupus (SLE) and Nursing

damrcngrl95 · Apr 10, 2011

My mom has Lupus and has had Lupus since I was a baby.(I'm 42) She is not a nurse though. I do know that her Lupus was in remission for many years and then as she has become older she has had more problems. I know that when she is very stressed she has had "flare-ups" of Lupus and had to see a doctor to treat the symptoms. A couple of years ago things became so bad that she had to retire earlier than she wanted to. She is doing much better now that she doesn't have to work.

I don't know your situation or if you are having problems with your Lupus currently. If you have been symptom free for a good while and you feel you can get through the program, I say go for it. From what I can tell, nursing can be a flexible career and you can cut back or increase your hours. My mom had no choice but to work 50+ hours or she no longer would have the job or work in the field she was in.

PAERRN20 · Apr 10, 2011

I'm sending you a private message

R*Star*RN, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2011

My mom was diagnosed with Lupus when she was 26. She is still an RN, and is actually graduating with her DNP at the age of 60. My nickname for her growing up was "supermom", lol.

She does very well with keeping things under control. She is on about 20 medications and takes them on a timer, religiously. If she gets symptoms of a flare up she starts on a low dose of prednisone and that usually gets her through.

She's only ever been hospitalized about 3 times in my life. One time she had to have a toe amputated, and one time for angioplasty. When I was a baby she was in the hospital for a bad flare up but this was in the early 80's and I'm sure treatment options have changed a lot since then.

Since Lupus can have really different symptoms depending on what systems it's affecting, you really just have to listen to your body! I definitely think that good nutrition and getting in your exercise is very important as well.

I honestly think you will do great :)

hopefulnurse11 · Apr 10, 2011

I am in my last semester of nursing school. I graduate May 14th! Thank God! I have been living with Lupus since I was 17, now 23yo. I experience skin issues and tons of joint pain. My father passed away from complications of Lupus when he was only 25. Recently my flare ups have gotten worse. Ironically, as I came across your post I am experiencing pain related to my Lupus. Exercise and diet are important. Keep me posted.

Jmira.BSN.RN · Jun 24, 2011

I am in my last semester of nursing school. I graduate May 14th! Thank God! I have been living with Lupus since I was 17, now 23yo. I experience skin issues and tons of joint pain. My father passed away from complications of Lupus when he was only 25. Recently my flare ups have gotten worse. Ironically, as I came across your post I am experiencing pain related to my Lupus. Exercise and diet are important. Keep me posted.

Congrats!! I wish you the best of luck in your career :)

I am in your same exact boat. I started getting sick at 17, diagnosed at 18, am now 23. My aunt died from complications of hers at 22. I also have another aunt with lupus. I hate to say it but ever since starting nursing school things have taken a turn for the worse. Usually I would have a few bad days a month but since around april I've been feeling pretty ill nearly every day. And to make things worse summer just started and is my worst season all year (dark, cold days have become my best friend lol)

although I don't wish it on anyone, it is quite comforting to hear someone else in similar shoes to mine. I find proper diet, long walks and 9-10 hours of sleep a night are the best tools I use but am curious to hear any other methods that may be helpful for others..............

RN TIff · Jun 27, 2012

Hello all,
Looking for a little advice here.
Im currently a nursing student (RN) and I also have Lupus (SLE). Everything is under control and I have even been off all Lupus related meds for 2 years now. Every now and then I do go through the phases where I hit max capacity and know to slow down a bit, but for the most part I have no issues and tons of energy.
My question here is, well not really a question. I would just like to hear any advice anybody can offer regarding how they manage their Lupus with their nursing career, and what precautions (if any) they take to help their personal situation. Please feel free to offer tips if you may not have lupus but know someone who does (patient, friend, relative, etcetera)

I have been diagnosed since I was 14. I am now 28. I have been an RN for almost 3 years. Believe it or not being on the floor truly helped me with my lupus because it kept me active. I even worked nights and didnt have any issues. I now work behind a desk and am just starting to flare-ups again. The cold weather normally attacks my joint but even with the hot summer I am in consent pain. I am even considering giving up my awesome hours and desk to go back to the floor because of my lupus.

In short just make sure that you eat healthy, exercise, and take care of yourself. Like someone else said: " Listen to you body" Make sure to follow-up with your doctors.