Posted by: Katrina Lantz ®
08/14/2004, 22:21:12
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Hi Karen, What type of SD do you have? I have Abductor. Botox injections have really helped me. I am a teacher so I know that talking is important. I hated calling parents to tell them their child was misbehaving. I have picked up a few speech tips that have helped me. There are some websites that have tips, but unfortunately I don't recall them, but I bet somebody will reply with them. I did go to speech for about 2-3 months and the hand-outs she gave me were useful although the speech therapy didn't really help. I guess it did make me more aware of where I make sounds.Hope this is of some help. Katrina
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Posted by: Micki ®
08/14/2004, 22:41:48
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I know someone who was starting to nursing school when hit by SD, so she switched to medical transcription.Could you use your nursing education to do some type of writing - training manuals, books for those thinking about going into nursing, patient education materials???
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Posted by: kmfrn ®
08/17/2004, 15:26:21
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Hi! Thanks for your reply!
These are some very nice ideas........
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Posted by: charlyn ®
08/15/2004, 11:02:20
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I used to work for the service that takes baby pictures in the hospital, so I can imagine the comments you get from the parents. ( NO I AM NOT SICK?)However, I feel that it is important that you stay with your field if at all possbile, because you can be a example to others who may be struggling....and the fact that you are coping with life will spurn them forward to cope with their own challenge. Have you thought of another speciality that might not be as stressful with regards to your voice...Perhaps nursery , nicu etc They talk in mostly hushed tones...I know oddly enough when I talked to the babies they just didn't care about the quality of my voice. They just seemed to respond to someone talking to them in soft tones...What about some type of rehabiliation type nursing....Lead by example!!
Many have luck with Botox and you are certainly in the place to find the best Dr in your area...check with www.boxtox.com if the $$ is a critical factor. All the best... Charlyn
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Posted by: kmfrn ®
08/17/2004, 15:23:01
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Thank you for your reply!
Yes, I have thought of Special Care Nursery or NICU, where the "voice sound" to the newborn is not as stressful......but there are the doctors (as usual), and the very apprehensive/scared parents and families (because their baby is not well enough to go home).....this takes alot of verbal teaching/communication.....and the stress of being the first person to handle the baby after delivery....would most likely "choke" me up furter....but yes, I have thought about this path...and I'll just have to see....
Again, thanks for your reply.
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Whoops! I meant for this post to reply to Charlyn! (See message above).
Modified by kmfrn at Tue, Aug 17, 2004, 15:31:59
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Posted by: gcaddell ®
08/15/2004, 11:03:32
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Karen,I am a teacher, and I know the frustration you are feeling. I too was ready to quit and look for another career when I first developed SD(about the same time you did!). However, Botox saved my career; although my voice still has its ups and downs, it is now very intelligible about 90% of the time. I used to be so afraid of shots, but now I am so thankful for them. It is over so quickly, and is so much less painful than going to the dentist! If you have health insurance with your job, or through your husband's job, it should cover most of the cost. I encourage you to consider Botox. Have you talked with a doctor who would be able to treat you? I certainly don't think there is anything wrong with switching careers to reduce the stress of dealing with SD, but if you are really passionate about what you do, then I encourage you to see if Botox shots would allow you to continue. It did take me a couple of years to find out which frequency and dose was ideal. Best of luck to you. Gloria
ADSD/Oklahoma City
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Posted by: sjs5877 ®
08/17/2004, 12:18:14
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I avoided botox for 10 years because of the cost, or I was in denial. or something. I had all sorts of good reasons or excuses. Botox isn't perfect, but it helps many of us immensely. The world really needs nurses who love nursing.. I hope you'll pursue trying botox. Depression is much harder and you are coping with that. At least talk it through with your counselor and a knowledgable doctor.
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Posted by: Dale ®
08/17/2004, 15:41:08
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I was also going to suggest Medical Transcription. They have programs where you can get a certification within 90 days and your nursing background would be so helpful.I've had SD for about 2 years and was a recruiter for a staffing agency and decided to quit because it was so difficult talking all day. I am in the process of signing up for an online medical transcription course through a local community college and hope to find a job soon after. My husband is also supporting us while I do this. It's a little expensive, but I'm thinking in the long run will be worth it. With your medical background and contacts I would think you wouldn't have much trouble finding a job after you obtain the certification. Feel free to email me and I can give you more information on this online program. They actually do it through local colleges and will give you a list of particpating colleges in your area. Dale
AD/SD
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Posted by: kmfrn ®
08/18/2004, 16:24:48
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Thanks for your reply! I have given this some thought, and will probably give it even more thought yet. I already have a certificate in medical transcription from years ago (I would probably need some updating!).However, after a long 12-hr. shift of nursing yesterday (and I was barely able to utter anything at the end)---something possessed me to walk straight to our hospital's HR department and explain my sitation (the best I could without being able to talk!). The nursing recruiter had never heard of SD (boy, will I educate her!). Anyway, she said that she was going to do some research on a different position for me (ie. a case manager for an insurance co---digging into files, etc.). I was actually hopeful when I left her office---but we'll see what comes of it..... In the meantime, I am looking at other areas to use my nursing knowledge (ie.like medical transcription). I do appreciate your reply and will keep all "posted"! Karen
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Posted by: teach1 ®
08/19/2004, 15:21:25
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Karen I understand how difficult it is.. I am a teacher, Grade 1 luckily, and they put up with my speech interuptions, it actually works well, as they think i have simply stopped talking to wait for them to be quiet!! My other problem is that i also have bleparospasm (eye and facial spasms) which make it very difficult to see, luckily when i explain it to the little ones they take no notice of it after a day or too. Like someone else mentioned, the difficulty is with phone calls to parents,etc.. i don't have aproblem with the volume or quality of my voice, it just literally stops, and nothing comes out, so i think that worries the parents when they hear total silence on the end of the line, they always think something is wrong. i am going to write a letter in Sept explaining all of this to them, i;'m hoping it will make it easier for when 3 way conferences come up- which stress me out big time!!I have had to go to teaching 1/2 time last year (after 15 years), due to these difficulties (i also have cerviacal D, neck twisting which is VERY painful..)but i am able to receive 1/2 time disability thro a disability plan i have paid into, so i get 1/2 time pay from the school board for working, and about $200 a month less for the other 1/2 time i am off. It works for us, tho we do miss the money, it means i have every 2nd day off to rest and keep my eyes closed, and not talk.. i hate having to do this at 49, but you take what life gives you, and make the best of it. I commend you for wanting to stay in nursing, i think you did the best thing by going to see the Human REsources Dept, that was actually what i was going to suggest.. they must have alternatives for you.. they cannot discriminate on the basis of a disability, you may have to go 1/2 time also, who knows? But, like teaching, i think they have to find you a position that you are capable of doing.. hang in there, and best of luck. teach1
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Posted by: kmfrn ®
08/19/2004, 16:01:58
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Thank you for your words of encouragement. I will keep posting, and updating.....Karen
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Posted by: Kaye Moore ®
08/20/2004, 20:13:30
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Hi! There is a position with medical insurance companies called Utilization Review Coordinator (or something like that) and it requires that you have RN degree and experience. Hope this helps!
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Posted by: kmfrn ®
09/03/2004, 10:49:02
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Hi! Thanks for the idea! After my initial visit with HR on Tuesday, August 17th, I sent a "packet" interoffice mail (a cover letter, my resume, information on SD, print-outs from gov't occupational handbook with different ideas, etc.). The next day I called and left message in her voice mail (if anything, to see if she received my "packet")--no answer. The next day I called and left another message in her voice mail (regarding the "packet" and "just checking on status")--no answer. The next two days, I e-mailed the HR person I met with, requesting a phone call or e-mail back, to "touch bases"--no answer. (I thought to myself...maybe she's still investigating with other personnel at the hospital....). She never returned any phone calls, e-mails, etc.......I finally called again yesterday (and got through for a change). She stated that she shared my "information" with other HR personnel, and that nothing was available. She stated that she could not "create" another position for me, but that she would keep my "information on file"...should anything that fits come up. She also suggested talking with my supervisor. When I had left her office feeling somewhat hopeful just a couple of weeks ago.....I now hung up the phone feeling extremely disappointed and depressed all over again.... .....So, I decided that I would go directly to my unit supervisor, as she suggested, and see what I might learn from her. My night supervisor was empathetic, but really had no ideas or suggestions for me either. Embarassingly, I cried in front of her....I've been at my wits end trying to figure out how to continue earning my income with my worsening SD..... Thank God for this bulletin board and all your support. I won't give up looking for that "quality of life career change"....Thanks.....
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