Nurses with Multiple Sclerosis

Published

Specializes in Critical care, trauma, cardiac, neuro.

Hi. A review of the posts here shows that it is best to not disclose this issue as long as possible. And between flares, most of us have symptoms easy enough to hide.

But we deal with similar issues: fear of disclosure, fear of being fired, fear of flares, dealing with symptoms and those awful MS meds.

I would really like to hear from other nurses with MS. It is really good to just know someone else in the same situation.

Does anyone else pop those MRI CDs in their own computer the minute you leave the radiologists office? Only a nurse!

Thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi I am new to this site. I was reading posts from nurses with MS but the posts from this site were old, nothing from late 2012 or 2013. I joined thinking I would find current posts/ threads but have not found any yet....maybe I don't know how to navigate the site. I am an RN with MS. Anyone out there?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi! I'm new to the site, too, and I have MS. I just found this board today, glad there are others MS nurses out there! What kind of nursing do you do?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi,

I am an RN(Actually a GNP) with MS. I have had some pretty bad excerbations. The MS doesn;t bother me so much, I've had it for 18 years. Two years ago I was diagnosed with Crohns too. The combo is bad.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Glad to see someone else on here! I have been diagnosed for over 9 years, but have had MS at least 14 years. My brother has Crohns, it's miserable. Are you on MS meds?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Trauma.

Does Muscular Dystrophy count? Had a coworker with MS. Incredibly brave and strong while the hospital was blatantly trying to get rid of her. I have one of the 30 some odd Dx's that fall under Muscular Dystrophy (anything that causes chronic muscle weakness). Mines "polymyositis." I didn't recognize the onset til I was too sick to work. I kept thinking I needed to work harder to get in better shape. Meanwhile my immune system was labeling my muscles as an infection. I admire those of you with MS that are able to work despite your Dx. 4 years ago I worked 12 to 16 hour shifts in a busy ER. Now I can't stand for 10 minutes. Bad day today, hope you all can follow that I'm talking about you, and old friend/coworker, and me. Be well and best wishes to you all.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology, Med-Surg.

I have CIDP, which is similar to MS, except that there is a lot of pain involved. INstead of being treated with Copaxone, my flares are treated with plasmapharesis. I had to leave the hospital after 15 years, I just couldn't function well enough for that type of work. I've done home health care the last 10 years and now have a desk job. Since I left the hospital 10 years ago, I've only had one flare-up! I think this is r/t getting off noc shift and the hospital stress. Do what you can to take care of yourself, advance yourself, you'll probably need the desk job eventually.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the thoughts about the desk job. I'll be done with my MSN in about 3 weeks, I decided having more education will help when/if bedside nursing is too difficult! I have been running like a hamster on a wheel for the last 3 years, I'm a little nervous about what the lack of stress will do to my health, it could be a real shock to my system!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've been diagnosed almost 9 years ago and just recently got my first nursing job. It's been a challenge, but that makes me appreciate it more. Luckily my job doesn't have much stress, but the worry that my symptoms will come back is always going to be in the back of my mind.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

[ the worry that my symptoms will come back is always going to be in the back of my mind.

This is always a worry :-( I just had about two weeks of pretty significant fatigue, which was new for me. As I was at the park with my little girl yesterday, all I could think about is, maybe this is how I will feel for the rest of my life.... I ended up going to bed at 7pm, and didnt wake up until 5:30 when it was time to go to work. I feel like a new person after good rest, and very relieved.

Hopefully having a job with not too much stress is going to be positive for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

good for you with the MSN. I graduated in 2010 with my GNP and a secondary degree in Nursing education. I have MS, Crohn's and just within the past week a slipped disk. I thaught that if I had more education that it would help. In my case not really. Now to teach nursing they want a PhD or a DNP.$100,000 in school loans and I work for a nursing lab at a local college for 31,000 a year. I am so discouraged:no:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was on meds for MS and Crohn's but because my income went down by 25,000 dollars a year, I can't afford the copays. All I take now is thyroid medication( had thyroid cancer in 09) Russian Roulet? Yes, but what can I do?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion