Has your health declined since becoming a nurse?

leosasha · Sep 21, 2008

After carefully rereading this thread I have decided that I am taking 2 weeks in Mexico this year. Think I will start getting more massages also.

Young28 · Nov 18, 2008

I have gained a lot of weight, like 60 pounds in a year currently depressed because of the weight gain and a lot of my co-workers are on prozac or ativan. :zzzzz

Shenanigans, RN · Nov 18, 2008

If anything, now my immune system is likke some freakishly powerful weapon against all manner of foul microorganisms!!

I get sneezed on, pooed on, peed on, spewed on, bled on, snotted on, phelgmed on and still I walk around with no horrid disease contraction.

Of course, my immune system missed the train on the whole allergy thing. Heh.

leosasha · Nov 18, 2008

Thought this post had died out. Got my colonoscopy yesterday. Am having serious gastro problems. Colonoscopy ok. Now it's off to the thyroid Dr to hear about all those test. TSH and T4 low. Could be the trouble. The endocrine Dr is also and internal specialist. Asures me we will get to the root of the problem. He sais what I do is very important. Don't think I've ever heard a Dr make that statement. Have booked for 2 weeks in Mexico the middle of January. In the mean time am modifying my diet and exercising more. More massages also.

penny77 · Nov 18, 2008

oh my.. being a nurse of 6 months, i can already see the changes

1) I have lost so much weight.. around 25 pounds since my last year of nursing.. When i'm hungry, I don't have the time to eat. When i have the time to eat, i've lost my appetite...and i was happy with the way i looked before. now i look like an emaciated toothpick.

2) When i get home, i am exhausted, my mind is racing with information/sensory overload, and i end up vegging in front of the computer and reaching out for unhealthy happy foods.

3) in the morning, i can barely stomach any breakfast because my stomach is in knots. I can barely brush my teeth because i gag!

4) I have developed this mild but persistent lower back ache.

5) i have a flareup up eczema on my hand.. not just irritated from hand-washing, but i also catch myself scratching like crazy when i'm stressed. anyone with eczema.. (or who has had a severe itch) knows how euphoric it feels to scratch this kind of itch!

i was hoping that these problems will subside when i got more comfortable on the floor.. but from the likes of the other posts, doesn't seem likely :S

Liz67 · Nov 19, 2008

Hey there all,

I've had the same symptoms: Not sleeping, gaining weight, diet changes, and lots of stress!! Well, lets not forget this cycle: If you're stressed...not eating right...not sleeping right....and gaining weight...could this be to much cortisol release? I'm hoping to check myself out for sleep apnea...Which can explain all these symptoms too! Nursing school just about did me in. I graduated almost 2 years ago and I still can't even think about going back to school. :bugeyes:

medsurgrnco, BSN, RN · Nov 22, 2008

I developed problems with insomnia (working nights) and occasional anxiety (from problems with coworkers and TPTB). I don't exercise nearly as much as I used to - I'm too tired from stressful shifts and just want to veg out at home away from everyone on my days off due to too many demands from others when at work.

leosasha · Nov 22, 2008

I'm with you Liz67. No more Nursing school for me. I almost dropped out in the middle of my assiciate degree to switch to law. Was talked out of it. It was horrible. As my late father would say, "I've had the cure". Also have a license in massage therapy. Am thinking that next year will be my last in Nursing.