Nursing student with Interstitial Cystitis

[Nursy-murmur]

Hello, I am new to this forum, I found it while looking for support online for Nurses with Chronic Illness. I am scheduled to begin my 3rd year of a 4 year Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree. I entered this program perfectly healthy, fully aware of the physical demands of the job.

Fast forward to second semester of my 2nd year, where I am then diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis, a chronic disease of the bladder causing intense pain and urinary urgency/ frequency. It usually consists of flare ups and periods of symptoms lessening, however the flare ups are often random and unpredictable in severity and length. Mine was so severe I had to take 2 months off, which I was able to do as there was a month and a half long break between my classes and when clinicals began. During these 2 months I was in more pain than I have ever felt in my life, and went 5 days without sleep before being admitted in the ER for pain, dehydration, and exhaustion. Because of this I was given an emergency referral to a Urologist, who has been a huge help. Despite this break and my wonderful specialist it was still pure hell doing my clinical, and I only made it through because I was placed in an outpatient mental health department (pure luck, did not know my placement until 1 week prior), so I was able to sit all day, and go to the bathroom as much as I needed, which can be anywhere from 12 to 30 times a day.

Basically my question is, are there any other nursing students/ full fledged Nurses who have this disease, or any other chronic illness' / pain? I am just looking for some hope or advice, as the faculty of Nursing has been incredibly un-supportive thus far. I know that my 3rd year clinical will be far more physically and mentally draining as it is for 4 months in an acute setting.

This has been quite the journey. I know my disease will not always be this bad. Already I've made huge progress looking at myself now compared to 5 months ago. But I have a very long, uncertain road ahead, and I am unsure of how to proceed.

Thanks, and sorry for the long post, I tried to compress it but I had too many things to say haha :)

[3peas]

I'm sorry you are going through this. I went to nursing school with people who had chronic illness and they made it through. Not only did they make it through they thrived. You have to take care of yourself FIRST! Learn that in school now. Drink water, use the restroom when you need to, eat regularly, wear your compression socks. If you don't learn it now, it's hard to change once you are out.

My advice is to try and figure out what works best for you to try to decrease your stress. Good Luck!

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

I have chronic illnesses and made it through school. Work closely with your physician and above all take care of yourself first. You can't take care of patients if you are not healthy.

I could not imagine feeling like I have a UTI all the time. Hopefully you can get your symptoms managed and can deal with the craziness of school.

Good luck!! I hope you can manage it.

[Nursy-murmur]

Thank you both very much, it's nice to hear that there are other people who've done it :) I think you're right about the stress management, that's a big trigger for almost any illness including mine.