Re: LPN School

[Guest guest]

-

GO FOR IT!!!! That has always been your dream, and just don't let this darn

disease stop you! You can do it! Maybe the business of nursing school will help

keep your mind off of your pain, and maybe will actually be a good thing for

you!

I wish you luck and hope that you do pursue your dream! Keep us updated!

Donna, Colorado

>

> Hi all,

> I am usually a lurker but I need advice. I have always wanted to be a nurse

and have actually worked in the past as a tech and with hospice home care. For

the last 12 years I have homeschooled my children.

>

> I have been accepted into lpn school and it starts in January. My husband is

worried about the physical demands of school and RA. Currently I take Metho,

and pain meds. I have good and bad days like anyone else with this disease.

Should I give up on this dream or pursue it knowing that it is only for a year??

>

> I really need someone to talk to....

>

> Thanks

>

[Guest guest]

Go for it! Don't shortchange your dreams! Inpatient nursing can be very

physically demanding, but outpatient clinic work is very similar to any office

job. I work at the VA and they're always dying for good nurses and even have a

program for LPNs to pick

up their RN on company time.

I finished and defended my dissertation during an RA flare. I didn't know what

was wrong with me, but I felt awful.

Do you have a rheumatologist and have you considered a DMARD like methotrexate

or plaquenil? A biologic?

Kate F

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 15, 2010, at 6:38 PM, " Blessed " <dianablackburn@...> wrote:

> Hi all,

> I am usually a lurker but I need advice. I have always wanted to be a nurse

and have actually worked in the past as a tech and with hospice home care. For

the last 12 years I have homeschooled my children.

>

> I have been accepted into lpn school and it starts in January. My husband is

worried about the physical demands of school and RA. Currently I take Metho, and

pain meds. I have good and bad days like anyone else with this disease. Should I

give up on this dream or pursue it knowing that it is only for a year??

>

> I really need someone to talk to....

>

> Thanks

>

>

[Guest guest]

thanks for your responses!

Kate,

Yes I have a Rheumatologist and I take Methotrexate. I tried Plaquenil but had

a reaction to it. If the disease keeps progressing I will look into the

biologics with my Rheumy. Reading your response has given me hope. Thank you!

Blessings

>

> Go for it! Don't shortchange your dreams! Inpatient nursing can be very

physically demanding, but outpatient clinic work is very similar to any office

job. I work at the VA and they're always dying for good nurses and even have a

program for LPNs to pick

> up their RN on company time.

>

> I finished and defended my dissertation during an RA flare. I didn't know what

was wrong with me, but I felt awful.

>

> Do you have a rheumatologist and have you considered a DMARD like methotrexate

or plaquenil? A biologic?

>

> Kate F

>

> Sent from my iPhone

>

>

[Guest guest]

Don't give up on your dream, ! Maybe you could put a call in to

your rheumatologist and ask for some help and encouragement?

I agree with Kate - the addition of a biologic like Enbrel could make

a huge difference.

Not an MD

On Mon, Nov 15, 2010 at 6:38 PM, Blessed <dianablackburn@...> wrote:

> Hi all,

> I am usually a lurker but I need advice.  I have always wanted to be a nurse

and have actually worked in the past as a tech and with hospice home care.  For

the last 12 years I have homeschooled my children.

>

> I have been accepted into lpn school and it starts in January.  My husband is

worried about the physical demands of school and RA.  Currently I take Metho,

and pain meds.  I have good and bad days like anyone else with this disease.

 Should I give up on this dream or pursue it knowing that it is only for a

year??

>

> I really need someone to talk to....

>

> Thanks

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Yes, don't give up on your dream!  I agree with other posts that nursing can be

challenging for those of us with RA, but there are many jobs in the nursing

field, some with less physical demands. I was 38 when I decided to go back to

school for my LPN.  I loved every minute of it, especially the clinicals. 

Unfortunately, two months after I started school, my first symptoms of RA

started.  I had pain in my hands and feet, and severe fatigue.  I started

treatments and got better, but then flared worse again with only 30 hours of

preceptorship to go, and I was already enrolled for my RN training in the

fall. 

I could hardly walk and had a hard time dispensing medications because of my

hands.  I couldn't continue, but hope to go back to school to finish someday. 

I

also have chronic pain that is being treated with Neurontin, but is very

difficult to control.  For you , there might be certain nursing jobs that

aren't as demanding that you will love.  But, just be sure that you can get

through the clinicals and preceptorships, which require hours of standing and

walking on your feet, use of your hands, and heavy lifting of patients.  You

might contact the nursing department and visit with them about your condition,

and see if they can work with you.  I will pray for you and hope you will be

able to go on to LPN school. But,  be sure and do your homework so you won't

have thousands of dollars in tuiton bills or student loans and have difficulties

finishing school, like I did.  Also, remember every person and every case of RA

is different.....

Best of luck,

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks so much for the encouragement. My PCP has agreed to release me for

nursing and I think I can do anything if it is just for a year.

I am 41 and was just diagnosed in April but I had symptoms for 6 years. I

finally sought help when I just couldn't make myself get out of bed anymore. MTX

and steroids and all the other meds have improved my life so much and I am ready

to do something for me.

I just feel so urgent about doing this before I get any worse. I do believe

that the college has to make a way for disabilities as long as you can do the

work. They have a great report for being good to their students and I am awesome

with a hoyer lift!!LOL

Again thanks for the response. I hope that sometime soon, you can finish what

you have started. Your words have been a blessing and a comfort.

>

> Hi ,

> Yes, don't give up on your dream!  I agree with other posts that nursing can

be

> challenging for those of us with RA, but there are many jobs in the nursing

> field, some with less physical demands. I was 38 when I decided to go back to

> school for my LPN.  I loved every minute of it, especially the clinicals. 

> Unfortunately, two months after I started school, my first symptoms of RA

> started.  I had pain in my hands and feet, and severe fatigue.  I started

> treatments and got better, but then flared worse again with only 30 hours of

> preceptorship to go, and I was already enrolled for my RN training in the

fall. 

> I could hardly walk and had a hard time dispensing medications because of my

> hands.  I couldn't continue, but hope to go back to school to finish

someday.  I

> also have chronic pain that is being treated with Neurontin, but is very

> difficult to control.  For you , there might be certain nursing jobs

that

> aren't as demanding that you will love.  But, just be sure that you can get

> through the clinicals and preceptorships, which require hours of standing and

> walking on your feet, use of your hands, and heavy lifting of patients.  You

> might contact the nursing department and visit with them about your condition,

> and see if they can work with you.  I will pray for you and hope you will be

> able to go on to LPN school. But,  be sure and do your homework so you

won't

> have thousands of dollars in tuiton bills or student loans and have

difficulties

> finishing school, like I did.  Also, remember every person and every case of

RA

> is different.....

>

> Best of luck,

>

>