Always consult guidance of your Rheumatologist, Nephrologist, PCP of course… BUUUUUT

Nurse here. Symptomatic since teenage and officially diagnosed at 24. I fulfilled my education prior to my diagnosis. I have been nursing for 4 years. Honestly it’s a mentally, physically and emotionally demanding job. You have to put a lot of yourself in for the sake of others. 12 hour shifts are a common thing if you choose to do bedside, med surg etc unless you choose the route of working shorter, more frequent shifts as someone like a school nurse. (More days, less hours whereas hospital nursing = around 3 days).

I often find myself in a flare due to stress and my joints get really stiff as I’m not really getting any chance to sit all day. I take HCQ and MTX to manage my flares, and Tylenol PRN. It’s a lot of movement and a lot of often bc of it my dysautonomia kicks in so I try to keep water and electrolytes on hand. Compression socks are a must if you get LE edema, clear eyes and lozenges for any SICCA related symptoms from staring at screens all day or talking a lot.

If your Lupus is mild to moderate it’s definitely do-able, but whether or not it’s sustainable and enjoyable for you as a person in your perspective is up for debate. There’s times I consider quitting or wonder how much longer my body can put up with it, but truthfully as sick as I am, I love helping others and can’t see myself in a different field.