Lupus and Nursing

[Hannalow]

Hey all, anyone here a nurse on Imuran ( immunosuppressant ) and working?

How do you cope / manage with no immune system and the fact you are with infectious patients ? Thanks !

[overnighthearingloss]

I do not work in healthcare. However I would have thought that it may be dangerous for you to work in such a setting whilst immunocompromised. Similarly immune suppression may hide symptoms of any infections that you could spread to patients.

It may be with staffing requirements being so stretched that people are turning a blind eye to things.

It may be worth you raising the issue though to ensure steps are in place to keep everyone safe.

[creaky]

Hi,

Retired nurse here.

I was a manager of a mental health unit. I had been treated for about 8 years for inflammatory arthritis, then my mum died very suddenly, I became very sick, and received my SLE diagnosis all at the same time.

My employer did try to help, and occ health were very supportive, they made a role for me, managing staffing and coordinating temporary staff across mental health. Basically a desk job, to keep me away from clinical challenges.

However the new role was very stressful and was really adding to my problems. To be honest, just trying to ensure that I was fit to get to work every day, (and not fall asleep on the way home!) was too much for me at that time.

Occ health helped me fight the nice people in HR for early retirement on grounds of ill-health which I got.

I would say that you need to start with a meeting with your line manager to explain your concerns, then self refer to occupational health, hopefully a change of role might work for you, I know another nurse who has mixed connective tissue disorder who now works in outpatients

Good luck, I hope it goes well for you 🍀

[Hannalow in reply to creaky]

Hi. Thanks so much. Currently I am nursing outside the NHS, in the Middle East . Such things as OH health, desk duties and what not do not apply here, if you can’t work the hours / role provided it’s on the plane home

You go , unfortunately that’s what we have to deal with ..

So was looking for a way of how we get around that almost , thanks

[Brussels]

Depends on whether the infection is communicable or not. If you come into contact with patients who are being barrier nursed then it could potentially cause problems for you and them. You don’t want to develop any infections but also you may be a risk to patients who are immunosupressed as you have a higher risk of atypical infections.

I hear what you are saying about your work situation but this potentially just doesn’t affect you.

[Hannalow in reply to Brussels]

Just more the to point, every single

Child admitted usual is coughing, fever, influenza +, RSV... would say 80% of Paeds cases are respiratory & for one I don’t not want a nasty virus for the rest of my days ... just had a recent diagnosis had a cold for the last 2 weeks, now developed a LRTI on anti biotics myself ...

Currently on hydro to now be on Imuran.

[GlasgowHen]

I’m on a decent dose of immunosuppressants. I have just been extra careful but thankfully haven’t caught too much even with a recent outbreak of whooping cough and I was definitely in very close contact.

[creaky]

Ah, I see your problem.

A ward full of coughing children doesn't sound like the most therapeutic place for you. Who is providing your Healthcare? They sound advise you, also make sure that you are having regular blood monitoring.

Do you have to work in medicine? Would a surgical setting be less risking for you?

[Lupusrelative]

Make sure you get your flu shot!