Nursing with P.O.T.S..

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I'm feeling very discouraged right now. I have Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, which is a manifestation of autonomic nervous system dysfunction AKA dysautonomia. This can be very disabling. I've wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember and I begin LPN school in January. But the fact is... I don't know if I can handle bedside nursing, if something doesn't change. I guess I've been in denial about it but tonight as being in walmart for 20 minutes made me feel really ill it just sort of hit me. I need to think this through. Finding that there was a board for this type of thing made me feel relieved and I plan on reading through it. But I just wanted to reach out.... is there a place in nursing for me, for somebody who has to live life at their own pace? Are there many options for people who don't do well with long periods of time on their feet?

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I also have POTS. My case is not super severe but I sometimes become symptomatic. I take medication that helps. I have worked on an inpatient cardiac unit and am currently working in the ER. I think it would be a good idea to take your concerns to your MD and see what they can do for you. Good luck!

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Thank you for the response. I'm treated with a beta blocker which helps keep my heart rate down, and it's effective but only if I'm not exerting myself. My blood pressure tends to really tank out. I don't even check it anymore but back when I was keeping records of it for my doctors, I would have orthostatic readings that were down in the 60s/50s, so needless to say I don't do too well with being on my feet for an extended amount of time. I will be going into the hospital in September for treatment due to not being able to keep down food and drink, and will undergo a lot of physical therapy during that time. I'm hoping things will improve after that, at this point being able to hydrate myself would probably help drastically and at least get me back to baseline. Even at baseline I'm afraid that I will have significant challenges in the work force and getting through clinicals in school.

I've decided to look into less physically demanding areas of nursing but I feel very clueless.

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Specializes in Short Term/Skilled.

Hubby has this, although I don't think there was a name for it when he first got the symptoms, so he doesn't have the official dx. He has good and bad days, but has found that drinking a lot of Gatorade and eating a ton of salt make him feel a lot better.

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Specializes in Peds, Oncology.

I have POTS too. I left bedside nursing because it was becoming very, very difficult. I had dropped to prn and my POTS was becoming very bad. I've been a school nurse for over a year now and my POTS is the best it's been since my diagnosis and I'm able to work full time. You just have to find the right job that works for you.

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Honestly I've given up on the hope of ever doing bedside nursing. Based on the trend of my POTS it never really gets better no matter what I do, however I can do things that help my tolerance to my symptoms and my strength. Got out of the hospital less than a month ago after an 11 day stay, and trying to be doing some walking every day to help build some endurance, as well as a change in my beta blocker dose. Assuming I go forward with it I will start school for LPN in January. It's hard to plan for the future right now to be honest. I'll find my way I hope.

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Going on Monday to an information session and to get a background check. Finding out the following Friday if I'm accepted to the program and will have a week to give my response. I'm struggling with doubts as to whether I can handle it or not.

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Specializes in Peds, Oncology.
Going on Monday to an information session and to get a background check. Finding out the following Friday if I'm accepted to the program and will have a week to give my response. I'm struggling with doubts as to whether I can handle it or not.

How are you doing?

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Sorry for the lack of response. The information session for that nursing program didn't go as I had expected. It became apparent within the first ten minutes of it that I was going to need a lot of money out of pocket that I don't have. More importantly, several times during the orientation the instructor put a lot of emphasis on that to do well in her program we needed to be in 100 percent good health, that it's a rigorous process to be approved for clinicals etc. I just had a foreboding feeling that maybe it's not for me right now due to how fragile my health is at this time. When it was all over I got up the courage to talk with the instructor one on one and let her know what my concerns are and explained to her my health issues. Her recommendation was that I try a CNA job first to see if I'm capable of handling the rigors of the field, and then she would be willing to let me take a shot in the program. I agreed and essentially gave up my spot in the program. She gave me her card and I was out the door.

I took the next few weeks to take a step back and re-evaluate. I even dropped the idea of nursing altogether and starting investigating degrees in totally unrelated things that I have casual interest in. None of those we under circumstances that could work out and I'm starting to feel that I shouldn't have completely let go of the medical field. I'm seriously thinking now about trying the CNA thing and trying to educate myself about it. Surprisingly, the job market in my area looks a lot more promising for CNAs/techs than it did for LPNs. I'm just so hesitant to take any chances that could jepardize the progress I've worked so hard for with my health. I don't really know what to do. I just want to find something I can apply myself to 100 percent and will be happy doing.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

You aren't going to know unless you try. I say try a CNA position and maybe start slower with a LPN program. I am glad you are feeling better.

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Specializes in Peds, Oncology.
You aren't going to know unless you try. I say try a CNA position and maybe start slower with a LPN program. I am glad you are feeling better.

I agree with Esme. Start slow. And remember there are lots of avenues in nursing other than bedside that you can do, don't give up. Glad you are doing better.

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Hi I totally understand your concerns. I have been a LVN for about 25 years and about 6 months ago I had a cardiac arrest due to a genetic heart problem. I always had low energy and heart palpitations even when I started the program years ago, but got through the program. I have been working all these years, but now this happening gives me concerns too. I'm back to work now doing ok, but I have been working in a Dr. Office for years. I gave up bedside nursing along time ago. My opinion is bedside nursing is difficult even if your a healthy person. I think being a CNA is harder work than a LVN that is a real physical job. I think if you can find another interest or passion that you have might benefit you more in the long run. Years ago there were plenty of LVN jobs , but now days all anyone wants to hire is RN'S. I think having heart problems gives people high anxiety levels too, because I have worried about my future for years. If you really love the idea of being a LVN there are Dr. office and home care that would be less stressful. Nursing is a stressful job and if its concerning you this much before you have even started you might do some serious soul searching. I wish you the best of luck in your decision.

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