Nurse w/ICD

[Hoosiernurse, ADN, RN]

I have a question for everyone. I'm 36 and starting nursing school this fall, and am a survivor of peripartum cardiomyopathy from four years ago. For those who don't know, this is a cardiomyopathy that occurs around the end of a pregnancy or just after (usually), which is a combination of genetic/viral/pregnancy factors. Most women recover from it, at least for the most part, and I am one of the lucky women who did. However, when my heart was weakest I had runs of v-tach that caused me to be fitted with an ICD, just in case one of those runs was something I couldn't pull out of.

I am not fully recovered, but with an EF of 45-50% things are quite good compared to the 16% I started at four years ago! My doctor says the future looks bright and I feel wonderful! However, I still have the ICD, and may have it for a long while in the future as an added protection. We are still not sure on that score.

What is certain is that it will be around for at least several more years and what I wonder is this: do I tell my fellow nurses about it when I get out into the workforce? It has never gone off, never even ramped up to do so, and all my records from it are normal with no runs of v-tach. That doesn't mean it never will go off, but all signs are good thus far that my heart is stronger and doing well. Do my co-workers need to know about it? I hate to bring it up, really, because I wonder if others will see it as a weakness on my part? But if I were to drop in the middle of my shift one day, would it be better than others knew of my past condition, or just let them figure it out?

I am no longer in heart failure, the ICD is just a precaution, and I have no symptoms or limitations. One thing I DO want to do is be able to work with cardiac patients and let them see that getting an ICD is not so horrible...as well as inspiring newly diagnosed peripartum cardiomyopathy patients that they can make it through this disease and come out on top! So in that way people would know about my condition because I might mention it to patients. I don't know...I'm confused! I don't want it to be a point of issue for anyone, or to be seen as someone with "something wrong with them". I just want to be seen as a good nurse.

Any advice?

Thanks!

Cara

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Wow - what an inspiring story. Personally, I would never self-disclose my medical history to my co-workers, but that is just me. Certainly, if you feel that you might need care from your co-workers, then I would tell. However, I personally would not tell untill or unless I needed something. Good luck...let us know how its going. You will be such an asset to a cardiology unit.

[mawlvn]

I agree there is no need to disclose your medical history to your fellow students or co-workers. Present yourself as a competent professional and go from there.

[mandana]

Your story is wonderful. I'm so glad to hear that you are doing so well.

I also think it's awesome that you want to work in cardiology - you are so right that your story can be a huge inspiration to others, and I applaud you for wanting to use your personal experience to help others.

I'm not sure about disclosing to coworkers. On one hand, it would be nice to have their support, on the other hand, it could be a limitation if they choose to see you differently. Perhaps you could just wait and see. You may find yourself with a wonderful and supportive group of coworkers with whom you feel comfortable disclosing, or you may not. I hope that you do - I think they would really benefit from knowing your history in terms of how they treated their patients - being able to ask practical questions of you, asking you to give a little pep talk to someone who was having a particularly hard time coping...you'll be an asset with your personal experience, IMO.

Best to you,

Amanda

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

My friend also suffered with this problem, so I know how hard it has been for you. Congratulations on doing so well and being so positive.

[HappyNurse2005, RN]

I wouldn't mention it unless it comes up in conversation, and you are comfortable enough w/ your coworkers to know that they wont think you are ill and unable to work b/c of it.

Our pt's who get aicd's aren't prevented from working, so why should you?

ps-i've had several pt's with them. ONly seen it go off on one pt. He was having vtach, I was in his room assessing him and he hollars "AAAAHHH" when it went off. Of course, he was sitting in bed, so I don't know if it would have knocked him to the floor or not.

[Hoosiernurse, ADN, RN]

Thanks for all this support, you guys! I go back and forth on the subject, but I think waiting and seeing what sort of group I am working with is a good idea. The only reason I would disclose my person health issues would be because I want to be available to cardiac patients to help them through what they are going through. Ordinarily I would never talk about my own health, but in this case it will directly pertain to the field of nursing I have chosen to enter.

Happynurse- I suspect if he had been standing he would have been knocked down. I have talked with lots of others who say they ended up on their butts when it happened to them...including one guy who was on a ladder at the time and suddenly found himself on the ground! Another guy was biking and it went off, and his hands flew off the handlebars, but then came back down on them again, so he hardly missed a pedal! HA! It's funny, some people say that they hardly felt the shock (few say that, actually) and some say it's like a ball batt to the chest. personally, I'm just happy I never have had to find out!

Cara

[janony]

I would not disclose this to co-workers - there is just no need to.

However, if you don't wear one already, I would get a medic-alert bracelet or necklace. That way if something should happen / you need help, folks could tell what was going on.

Just my 2 cents!

janony