Ashlee245

Hi all, i am new to all nurses, and have been reading posts on here for some time. I am really struggling with a recent decision Ive made to work as a RN on a busy post surgical unit, I have been in remission of systemic lupus for 5 years, used to take plaquenil 200mg 1x day, my main symptom was the butterfly rash on my face, and rashes to the body during times of stress or sun exposure, over the years i have felt fine, after my initial flare up , no flare ups since 2011 and i have made it through an accelerated nursing program with with no problems. I now have moved to a new location , accepted into a great residency program and working 12 hr shifts 3x a week. I have always had a dream of working on a hospital unit, keeping busy, and having a profession i would be continuously learning and helping others . Now six months into my nursing residency i am experiencing extreme fatigue , joint pain, neck and shoulder pain and overall anxiety and stress. I have visited a rheumy in the new hospital i work in and i her advice was mainly lifestyle changes (i.e eating better, exercise and taking a muscle relaxant to sleep for the neck and shoulder pain) , and she also suggests going back on medication to prevent future flare ups, she asked about modifying my work schedule but i signed a contract to work for 2 years full time. I would love to exercise more but i just don't have the energy, after working 12 hour shifts I am drained and I need sleep/rest for 12 to 18 hours just to recover and be able to resume my normal activities. Before going to work , i sometimes cry because of how tired i am and i just dont know how my body will make it through the shift, .Its hard taking care of sick patients when you feel miserable/tired and just want to go home.I have tried splitting my 3 days up so that i am able rest more in between and it helps slightly, but my energy levels are extremely low, i have been taking fish oil, vit d , and women's vitamins and nothing works, I am worried about how much longer i will be able to work on a busy floor such as mine before the stress and physical exertion of the job will cause my lupus to affect other parts of my body. If this position is going to require me to have to go back on medication , im contemplating my decision and I would like to try working part time or moving to a nursing position within the hospital that isnt so strenuous, but im not sure how well that will go since i signed a contract. Any other lupies out there have advice?