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Discussion

Multiple Sclerosis

This has been an interesting week, to say the least and I guess I'm just looking for information, other's experiences, and emotional support.

Sunday morning with the prompting on my charge nurse and husband I decided to go to the ER b/c vision in my right eye was extremely limited. I have pain with movement and nausea. After having an eye exam first with the ER doc and then with an opthamologist, and MRI was ordered. A follow-up appointment with the opthamologist was scheduled for the following day with a prescription for Vicodin to go home with. The ER doc and opthamologist said I had optic neuritis.

My appointment yesterday with the chief opthamologist led to more discovery; white lesions (10 to be exact) on the MRI. She scheduled me to see a neurologist to r/o MS.

I've been doing research on MS over the last two days when my eyesight will allow me to. Vicodin has been okay at taking away the headaches, but not the ocular pain. My appointment with the neurologist is scheduled this Thursday. I've read the radiology report and have a CD of my MRI. I'm anxious, scared, etc.

I've already noticed little things like muscle spasms, eye twitching, generalized fatigue and numbness in my feet and fingers. My biggest concern is whether I will be able to continue working as a floor nurse. My manager know about everything, but has stated in order for me to be on "light duty" or able to transfer to a different job requiring less physical activity I need to be at my current position for a year (I started in October 2005). To make matters worse, I really can't afford to be off work even with short and long-term disability b/c the cost of living is so high here.

Sorry for the long post. I guess more than anything I'm just needing support. My family is very upset and I think I'm the only one who is keeping a level head right now. Are there any nurses out there who have MS now? Did you have to find a less stressful, less manual labor position other than being a floor nurse? Any suggestions, comments, words of encouragement are greatly appreciated!

Sherri

Featured Replies

  • Experts

My MI was diagnosed in late 20's with MS. Blind in one eye and paralyzed one side in early 40's with remission in late 40's. Attend LPN program and graduated at age 52. Worked FT Med Surg unit till 65.

All depends on type of MS and getting on treatment program. Low dose steroids worked for her. Many newer treatment out there. Good luck!

  • Author

Thanks for the reply. I have my appointment with the neurologist this morning. I'm a little nervous. Hopefully I'll know a little more about my condition and when I can return to work (the optic neuritis is still causing me pain and vision problems).

SherBear... good luck at your appointment. I was diagnosed with MS about 18 mo ago. I know where you are, if you need a ear, PM me. White light and love to you.

at one of my clinical rotations this semester (spring 06), I had a patient who suffered from MS. turns out she was a nurse. she told me that when she was diagnosed, she was able to qualify for disability -- left nursing altogether at that point. she was about 45 or so; diagnosed with MS in 2000.

  • Author

So I went to the neurologist this morning. He did dx me with MS. He wants me to have another MRI next week of the cervical spine and lumbar spine because my gait was off and I have numbness bilaterally in both arms and numbness in the left foot. He thinks I should be okay to return to work tomorrow. I'm a little nervous b/c the only thing that has taken away the headaches has been Vicodin. I can't take this while at work. The best thing I can do is try to go back tomorrow and see how I tolerate it.

Thanks to everyone for the support and kind words!

Sorry to hear about the dx of ms...have you thought about possibly going part time or per diem if not already?...hopefully your manager will be able to work something out...mine pulled some strings for me to be on light duty prior to sx myself...

I am sorry to hear this Sherri, and will keep hope for you. Both my father and sister have MS...my dad was diagnosed 25+ years ago (he is 79 now) and my sister is almost 50. His has been a slower progression than my sisters, but both are still doing well, overall. My sister owns/runs a Dental Lab, and I know has challenges, but she was dx 10 yrs ago or so and takes good care of herself. I did a lot of research on MS last term, for a paper I wrote...bought books, etc. I really learned a lot. I'll say a prayer for you...it is difficult to face a dx like that...

~J

  • Author

Thanks everyone for the words of support and kind words. I was able to make it at work fine today...just a little tired. I only had one episode of dizziness and a couple of minor episodes with muscle spasms in my legs, but no headache like I feared.

My manager has re-done my schedule to give me more breaks between days I'm working. I was orignally working them all in a row, but she and I both think this will exhaust me. I'm still working full-time, though.

My co-workers are the best! Everyone was so kind and worried about me. I had a couple of nurses who cried. They all asked if I was doing okay through the day and offered assistance if I needed it. Although I didn't need help, the thought that I wasn't alone was reasurring.

Thanks again,

Sherri

  • Experts

one of the instructors at my first school of nursing had m.s. she was a retired naval officer (a lifer!) who was a nursing leader while in the navy. wrote some big important document for them. after she retired from the military she was one of the founders of the nursing program i attended. she was very loved and held in great esteem at our school despite the fact that her tests were the hardest you'd ever want to take! even so, there were always nursing students around her and eager to help carry her books and papers and spot her while she walked to classes in case she lost her balance. she kept going as long as she could get up and get out of bed. at the time i was a student, she was still able to walk, but was already having some difficulty with her gait. she also was dealing with skin breakdown on her coccyx. she didn't retire from lecturing for another two years.

here is the list of links i got back on medline plus on a search for multiple sclerosis. you might want to check out some of this information.

http://search.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/query?disambiguation=true&function=search&server2=server2&server1=server1&parameter=multiple+sclerosis&x=102&y=12

http://www.fpnotebook.com/neu47.htm - information on the pathology, prognosis, risk factors, signs and symptoms, diagnostics, and medical management.

http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/atoz/dc/caz/neur/mscl/mscl_gen_ovw.jsp - information from health a to z. you may need to register to see more of the information but registration is free

there are organizations that you will probably want to check out as well:

i can only imagine what you must be going through emotionally. i wish you well.

Sherri

I am also a RN with MS. I was diagnosed a year ago and have been on Copaxone since August 05. Was doing really well until it started to get warm. Since I work on a Cardiac unit, all these patients seem to turn the air off which makes the unit unbearable for me. Heat is my biggest enemy. my left leg turns to mush and I find it extremely difficult to walk without stumbling. On the advice of my wonderful Neuro I bit the bullet and am now on medical LOA until the weather cools off. Hoping I won't go looney, but just could not continue 12 hr shifts or even 8 hrs in the heat.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has a great web site with forums which are very informative and full of good advice.

Hope you can continue to work as long as you want.

Good Luck to you.

I wish you well!

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