Riley1234

Hey Woofy, I'm so sorry that you are in chronic pain. You are so young. I'm going to my appt. at the Brigham & Wms Lupus Ctr in a few weeks. I already have anxiety about it. Some of the kidney function tests pointed to damage and I think I am on my way to a lupus diagnosis. Hope not! Took me two years to deal with the blood issues. Have you been tested for antiphospholiped andibody's? Glad to hear that you are still going strong. Stay Well, Riley

Sue you are so right about that. I am the same way, can't get enough sleep. It's taken a couple of years but I have realized that I have to take care of me! Having a family you work, cook, clean the house, shuttle the kids around and you never think of yourself. Make sure to take care of yourself. Keep in touch and stay well. Woofy it's amazing my illness presented exactley as yours did. The migraines were incredible. I was jaundiced as well for a good week before I went to the ER. I remember saying to my husband when I arrived home from work that night that I felt as though I were dying slowly. I hadn't felt well in about 6 months but thought it was stress. I did call my PC and described the color of the urine twice and they said I didn't need to be seen it was a classic UTI. I asked didn't they need a urine sample and they said no. Second time said they needed to up the Bactrim. I was the opposite on pred. I couldn't eat and had steroid psychosis. I was sleeping 3 hrs and running around and cleaning everything in site. I was manic... I hope I never have to take that med again. Keep in touch and let me know how your doing. Stay Well, Riley

Glad to know another in the health care field that has had this illness. It can be done. I had the awful pred. for 6 mnths also. It worked for the AIHA but not the ITP. Rituxan put me in remision and my counts are all in the normal range now. When diagnosed my crit was really low an 11. Does your Dr think you may have lupus? Your titer is quite high. My hemo is hesitant to diagnose me with lupus as my ANA hasn't been positive. I do have the APS antibody's also which I guess is a good indicater. Thanks for all the advice everyone! Stay well, Riley

Well I did it. I called the owner/RN and voiced my concerns and gave notice. She started screaming at me that she was glad I was leaving and that she said I was confused about who the boss is. I tried to explain to her that I was trying to cover her liability and she said I needed to lighten up and she will do whatever she pleases with her clients. I was horrified over the way she spoke to me. I know I did the right thing, but i'm so intimitated by her now that if I do report her i'm afraid she will make up something about me and report me to the NA registry. I have some thinking to do. I do have an interview with Gentiva on Mon. Anyone have any experience working for them? Thanks, Riley

Thanks to everyone. I have been struggling with this for weeks. I know I have to leave. I'm calling her this morning. I will let you all know how this turns out. Riley

That is exactly what has been bothering me. I was trying to protect her liability and my husband keeps telling me I will get caught up in this. What bothers me most is all the girls that work for her that have had no medical training and she has them doing G tubes! They are all very young maybe 19 or 20 and they just don't know better. I think her greed will be her downfall.

Thanks for your reply adorable. The only problem is the RN is the owner of the HHA. She doesn't take medicare or medicaid only private pay and I think there is a reason for that. If you take federal funds you must be surveyed by the state. I don't really think I have many options but to look for other work. Thanks, Riley

Hi Everyone, I was hoping for some input on my current situation. I work for HHA doing shift work, my assignment is taking care of a 100+ yr old wmn. The agency that I work for does hire people for short money that are not certified and have no previous experience, kinda of like any body will do. My client recently went on 24hr care and when the caretaker came to relieve me she had her pillow with her. My client had a significant change of status and needed round the clock care. I advised the person that they can't fall asleep as she is very quiet and gets up several times a night to void and is a fall risk. She said it was ok she is allowed to do it per the owner. I called the office the next day when I came in and this girl was out cold and didn't wake up with me making noise in the kitchen area. I finally had to wake her... I was concerned for the safety of the client and called the office to let them know that she does wake up frequently and shouldn't be a sleeping shift. Every since I made the call I have had to suffer the RN's wrath. She called me and said she is the boss and makes all the decisions. I was thinking this was a huge liability for her if this wmn fell and had a caregiver there asleep. After this incident my hrs were cut drastically. I thought I was doing the right thing for all involved.. This RN also has several uncertified aides doing G tube feedings which under the scope of the law a CNA can't do this either. I am considering giving my notice as I'm not comfortable with this agency. My question is was I out of line to call and let them know it shouldn't be a sleeping shift? Thanks, Riley

Thanks so much for your reply Sue. I am going to follow my dream. I am almost done with the CNA course and then I think I will start with the LPN and see how it goes from there. I really appreciate your input. I don't want this disease to control my life or get in the way of my dreams. You made me feel so much better. Thanks Again, Riley

Thanks Iwanna, I don't have any physical restrictions as far as lifting or such. My red counts are in the low normal range but I can tolerate a very low hgb. I was working full time when I finally went to ER thinking I was having heart problems, out of breath on exerction and my hgb was a 5 and I was walking and talking and awake. It took a while to diagnose me as what I have is a rare condition. I want to live out my dreams while I am able and focus on living not to what "could happen". Riley

Thanks Silver, I did run it by him and his answer was they don't know what triggers it but think immune system can be triggered by bacteria, viruses and drugs or chemicals so it's hard for him to say. Ultimatley it's my choice and I have always wanted to be a nurse. I'm not sure if I continue if I will have to take a medical or disclose the disease I have in order to be employed in a hospital or nursing care facility. Do you know the answer to this? I could continue and work in the home health field. Thanks Again, Riley:wink2:

Please, anyone out there that has any opinion, It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Riley:wink2:

Hi Everyone, Just wanted to introduce myself. I work for a in home care facility and am considering going to school to be a LPN. I have been diagnosed with Evans Syndrome- combination of Auto Immune Hemolytic Anemia and ITP. I'm not currently in remission so to speak as #'s are still not in normal range and antibodies are still testing positive. I am on no meds at this point. My question is would it be worth it to consider a career in healthcare as the main treatment is immunosuppresents for this illness and as soon as they put me on these meds they wanted me released from the hospital because of germs. Has anyone out there been able to work under these conditions and is there a medical exam required upon being hired at a hospital or home care agency. Thanks, Riley