[Kthale81]

Originally Posted by Tamela1RN

I also have had an injury while helping to move a very large patient after her hip replacement. The pain was incredible. I eventually found a Dr. that would listen to me and had an artificial disc replacement at L4 - L5. I was lucky to find a great pain specialist. We eventually ended up with a fentanyl patch with percocet for btp. It seemed to me that after a short period of getting used to the drugs (a couple of weeks or so) I did not have that sleepy and foggy mental status. My pain was gone but I could still function. I think you really have to educate the company you are working for about new trends in pain management. I believe we must become our own advocate and fight to have the opportunities that other nurses
do. As for me, I also find heat to be very therapeutic. I use a product called therabeads. You warm it in the microwave and it supplies warm, moist heat that lasts approximately 2 hours. I hope you can find something that will work for you so you too can return to work without unrelenting pain. Good Luck...

Back pain seems to be very popular. I too have back pain/B leg pain. I just ove it when patients say that unable to move, walk, reach phone.... I often ask questions such as: do you live with family, do you have family nearby, how were you getting around before coming to the hospital. If I get answers indicationg independence, then I tell the patient to help themselves now to get ready for discharge. Why would I want to pull up, roll them over, practically carry the patient to the chair... I have gotten tired of patients acting so helpless and demanding, family members to drive nursing staff crazy. I will tell the patient that I am not able to do heavy lifting, pulling, etc. The patient will become more independent, family might help out. Just because one is in the hospital it doesn't mean that the patient needs to be completely helpless.

[aloha551]

I also deal with chronic pain. Ive tried just about everything out there .I take Ultram at night before bed and NSEDS during the day. I also work agency so that I I'm having a real bad day I can cancel. I also started teaching which is a great way to stay in Nursing and I love the students. I had to make quite a few adjustments but its all good.

[IntoTheUnit]

I have had chronic daily migraines for the past 4 years. In the last year, I've been trying to get pregnant, so I'm off all my preventative meds--and I was on 5 of them!
I tried my hardest to hold out with just taking meds when I had a headache, rather than doing any long acting narcs or preventative meds, but couldn't do it. I started on a fentanyl patch last friday, along with midrin and MSIR to take when the pain overwhelms me, and I can't tell you how much better I feel. I'm not sedated, I actually have more energy now that I'm not constantly fighting the pain.
The way I've interpreted the BON rules, if you aren't impaired, your liscense isn't at risk. I don't consider myself impaired, and my neurospecialist knows that I'm working and driving and doesn't consider me to be a danger to myself or my patients.
I hope you find a good pain relief regimen soon.