Struggling with POTS and Work: Should I Focus on My Health or Keep Working?

I was a CNA too and all the bending, lifting and physically demanding tasks forced me to go on disability, but I also have Lupus and some other severe health problems. I believe if you find the right doctor and treatments, you could possibly continue working. The only treatment that seems successful for though are daily IV fluids and it's hard to Cary them around all day especially since I have a feeding tube as well, so my backpack is too heavy. But I function a lot better with a service dog or my wheelchair. But with everything else going on, there's no way for me to work. I hope you find a successful treatment and are able to continue to do what you love. I really miss working home health hospice. Now I have my own caregiver, so please fight to retain your independence! Hugs

I have POTS and hEDS and am trained in the health care field. I did work in hospital, using compression stockings, lots of hydration, and a watch that measured my HR and activity, but as an internist PA, so no lifting. CNA is a physically demanding job, but your future plans seem less so. I’m home now, bc my children also have multiple medical issues, so managing all of us is a full time job. I haven’t worked in a while. If you could take the summer to just focus on nursing school, you could get to a place/education level where physical labor is less a part of the job. You’re not a loser. You have illnesses that make other people’s hills into mountains.

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i’ve had to quit jobs & be really particular about what job i take because of the same issue!!

I haven’t worked full time since December 2019. I had a temporary remote job for two month at the beginning of 2019 but the brain fog alone made me barely be able to last the two months. I currently do online graduate school courses full time and constantly question if I can continue that when i have weeks of not feeling well. It’s definitely frustrating and it’s a hard decision to make. But at the end of the day I ask myself something my supervisor asked me, is this job worth sacrificing your health for. For me right now, I know continuing school is worth the struggle because it’s helping me mentally because I can feel I’m making progress. For others, it could be in their best interest if they take a break to focus on just their health and continue with work/school once you feel confident you can do so safely. You could also try asking your doctor what they would suggest trying. That also helped me with my decision. It’s a hard situation to navigate, but whatever each person will have their own path. No matter what path you choose, you are absolutely not a failure. Ever. Everyone has their own journeys with chronic illness. It looks different for all of us. If you ever need to chat about it feel free to dm me :) I hope you’re able to rest and be gentle with yourself.

I suffer with POTS as well. The more you move, the better you will feel. If I sit around too much my symptoms act up. Yes I feel out of breathe standing up a lot. But not being active destroyed me for years. Exercise, lots of water, salt, and supplements make me feel great. I found out I was also b deficient and had a hormonal imbalance and it was causing me alot of mental issues where I felt depressed / anxious constantly over nothing. It’s all about the regimen, it can be exhausting having to think about it all everyday. But there is so much life to live. Don’t allow POTS to get in the way. Get on or stay on your regimen and just keep staying positive. There will be good days and bad days. Change the mentality to “you can” as opposed to “you can’t”. It will do wonders and uplift you. I know it’s easier said than done. But if you have the will power, you can do anything 🙏 💕

I’ve been dealing with this same issue lately of feeling less than due to my physical limitations. I’m in grad school and haven’t been able to find a job that fits in my busy schedule of infusions, PT, and many appointments but also isn’t physically demanding. I wish I could offer some advice but I’m in the same boat :/