A couple of things come to mind here:
1) is she taking immunosuppressants for
her lupus? If so, working in the hospital
can certainly put her at risk for
infections.
2) kidney pain: hmmm...It is my
understanding and my experience that lupus
nephritis rarely has pain involved. Has
she talked to her rheumatologist about
this...It could be something else. I know
I had pain in the flank area and it was
not my lupus nephritis flaring.
3) stress is horrible for lupus. Yes, it
can keep it active...Which, in turn, makes
the lupus worse. If she is stressed out
because of work, then it probably is a
problem.
4) pancreatitis? Is that what she had?
That is very serious. I also know a lot
of people that have digestive issues with
their lupus, including myself, and it can
cause cramping, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, etc.
For the most part, discuss this with her
doctor. They can make the best evaluation
since they know her current and past
history!
I wish you and your wife the best!
ladybrannon
it sounds like
they couldn't do much for her in the
hospital. I know several nurses and it is
a very stressfull job by it's self.
Living with lupus and being a nurse is
very tough! I'm not a doctor, but I
would say she should and needs to cut her
hours back as much as she can. I know
that might be hard to do financially, but
for her sake it might be best.
