nurse with neuromuscular disease?

[callicarpa]

I am about to start nursing school (second career, age 30) but have also just been diagnosed with autoimmune neuromuscular disorder (myasthenia gravis). I am hopeful that once I start treatment I'll be able to get symptoms under control, but right now the weakness, shortness of breath, double vision, inability to do most physical tasks (holding heavy objects, walking long distances, etc) is debilitating. Even eating a meal is exhausting fro me. There is no guarantee that treatment will be effective and the disease is different for everyone.

Is there anyone else out there with MG or something similar who is also a nurse? I have wanted to become a nurse for a long time and would hate to quit right when I'm about to get started for something that might go into remission or be controlled with treatment... if it's any help I'm most interested in working in community & environmental health

[LovingLife123]

Just to be honest, with MG, nursing school would not be my biggest worry. Getting the disease under control should be your biggest worry. MG can have devastating consequences. I surely hope for your sake they caught it early enough and you respond to treatment.

If eating is exhausting to you, I'm sorry but nursing is not for you, at this time. I reiterate, at this time. It's a ohysy ally exhausting job for those in good health. I couldn't imagine taking it on with a difficult illness.

I'm very sorry you are going through this. I hope treatment works and you can regain your life back.

[SouthpawRN]

If you have already been accepted to the program, go and talk to the director/dean and ask if you can withdraw and have automatic re-entry into a future class once you have your disease under control. I am sure they will be willing to do that. They cannot ask for medical proof, But I would go armed with a letter from your physician that states your diagnosis and that they feel you will be able to complete the program once the disease is under control.