Any ICers with a Nursing Career?

[Trina]

I have gotten by with a relatively normal life until the last couple of years. Since then, my IC has become unbearable! I really want to pursue a career in nursing, but I'm very concerned that this may be an unrealistic job for me to hold considering my IC. Is anyone out there in nursing or a related field, and how do you handle your IC?
Trina

[Dianne]

Yes, I'm an RN working 32 hrs. a week in an OB ward. I was diagnosed 5 yrs. ago. I'm classed a moderate case. I've been the gamut on treatments but am currently undergoing the SANS (see nerve stimulator category) and doing reasonably well. I have my own routine worked out pretty well. If there is something specific you're wondering, ask away. My frequency is down to normal now but pain is my worst symptom. I still have ups and downs. The biggest problem is low sleep nights and being too tired. Other than that, it's workable.

[Trina]

Dianne, thanks for writing back! I've had IC for 13 years, but it really hadn't been a problem until the last couple. I think I could be classified as severe; I have frequency of about 30 times a day, major discomfort at all times, and pain on a daily basis. I guess what I'm most concerned about with pursuing a nursing career is making it thru nursing school (I already have a BA in Psych). I'm so worried that I'll just be so stressed out, in pain, tired, etc. that I won't be able to handle it. And I really feel that the frequency issue would be a big problem once I'm working. What do you think?

[Dianne]

My frequency is normal now but wasn't before. I did victim for awhile then I thought "screw it", this is a disability too and they can damn well accomodate me after more than 20 years of working there. I met with the EAP nurse and told her I needed and expected reasonable accomodations. She totally agreed and she met with my boss, gave her info on IC and it never came up again. We had an RN nursing student that was deaf and the hospital had to do back flips to accomodate her disability and she demanded it every step of the way. Maybe she broke ground for me, but once I decided I wouldn't allow them to victimize me anymore, it quit happening, then I got to normal frequency so it's a non-issue now. My illness certainly isn't understood but it is accomodated when needed.

[Trina]

Dianne, how did you get back to normal frequency? And how bad did it get before you finally reached that point? I've just gotten progessively worse over time, but I also haven't really done much to try to over come my IC. I've had hydrodilation, cystoscopy, DMSO, elavil, Pyridium, Detrol, and I'm now taking Elmiron, which isn't really helping much. What has worked for you?
Trina

[Dianne]

Well I wouldn't say you haven't tried much to help yourself with what I listed. It got pretty bad for me with about 30 potty trips a day and 8 of them during the night. Pain is my worst feature though. I've done DMSO, heparin, elmiron, L-Arginine, Dr. Fugazatto's treatment, glucosamine, herbals, numerous alternatives, H-2 blockers, I can't remember what all I've tried. Elmiron gave me a little relief as did DMSO. DMSO quit working after a year. Elmiron I got into some liver symptoms and quit. I am currently doing the SANS unit and very happy with the results. I'm only getting up 1-2 times/night and pain is way down. I even had my first iced tea this week! I still have to follow a strict IC diet but starting to feel like I have a life. But strict diet and the SANS unit are my best so far, esp. no chlorinated water. You can read about the SANS by clicking on Meet the Experts and Dr. Stoller.

[Gingerwoman]

I don't understand how you guys and have any kind of career. People just think you are too weird running to the toilet all the time and fire you. I have even been accused of hiding out in the toilet to avoid work and they failed me for lateness 9being in the toilet) at teachers college.)

[Angie]

I'm also an RN and I work 32 hours. I work in the OR which can be a bit tricky, but the manager is very good and I never have to something I really couldn't manage. Some times I'm better than others, but when things are bad there's always someone who can take the longer cases. I use a TENS machine, which is a lifesaver.

[kathyo]

I'm an RN working homecare hospice and am generally able to set my own schedule...I know all the best pit stops in town and only have problems in outlaying areas and have been known to "take to the woods" on occassion. Because of the flexibility of my job I am able to work 40 hrs most weeks, or on an off day I can sometimes "bump" my patient to the next day. I doubt I would be able to work in a hospital setting with my symptoms. If you really want to be a nurse, be sure to find an area compatible with your symptoms. Good luck. we need more nurses.